The following essay was written two years ago by Samara founder Bill Lippert, when he was executive director. Its message remains relevant and important:

Creating permanent resources

to make permanent change

Amidst the furor of the civil unions backlash, the imperative need for the work of Samara Foundation of Vermont remains abundantly clear.

During the past year and a half, we have all been collectively tested in the cauldron of a very public and very organized hateful attack on our individual, personal lives and our community as a whole.

But the good news is that Vermont's LGBT community has emerged stronger and more determined than ever to completely eradicate the systematic and pervasive misinformation, prejudice and mistreatment that is regularly directed at members of our LGBT communities, and at our fellow neighbors, legislators, employers, and friends who have dared to valiantly stand with us as allies.

The good news is that more and more individuals are standing up proudly to claim and proclaim fully the complete goodness of our lives as gay folks.

The good news is that more and more people are recognizing that an attack on gay and lesbian people is an attack on the dignity of everyone's lives, not just those of us who identify as LGBT.

And a part of the good news is that the Samara Foundation of Vermont is here, is queer, and is actively committed to creating permanent resources for making permanent change!

The Samara Foundation indeed was created to fulfill a 'mission':

to support and strengthen Vermont's lesbian,gay, bisexual and transgender communities today and build an endowment for tomorrow.

Yes, we are on a mission at Samara. And with your help, we are moving ahead to meet that mission!

In the less than three years of active fundraising and grantmaking, the Samara Foundation has made an indelible impact because of the financial contributions and enthusiasm of over 250 individual and foundation donors.

From our four inagural grants, totaling $15,000 in 1998, we have now awarded a total of 46 individual grants and scholarships to 27 organizations and individuals -- totaling over $92,000.

Our Benefactor's Circle -- made up of individuals who make public commitments in their will or estate plan to Samara's future work -- has nearly tripled.

But we know, from the assaults on our community and allies during the creation and defense of civil unions, and from the unmet requests that Samara has had to turn away, that the need for Samara's support far outstrips our current means to respond.

Yes, Samara does have a mission. And our mission involves you! Asking each of you, gay and straight alike, as individuals who are committed to the wellbeing of our community, as individuals who are committed to the complete eradication of gay oppression in our society, to take the future of our LGBT communities more seriously than ever before.

Help us recognize and reward the bravery of Vermont high school students who are working to end homophobia in their schools. Last year thirteen students applied for Samara scholarships. We were able to recognize four. Help us increase the number of Samara scholarships, and the size of the awards.

Help us relieve the fundraising burdens of our community's committed organizations, and support their new initiatives as well as their ongoing work. Last year twenty organizations applied for over $81,000 in assistance. We proudly awarded $30,000 to fifteen organizations. But clearly many needs remain unmet.

Include the Samara Foundation in YOUR will or estate plan. Include Samara Foundation in your annual charitable giving priorities. Think of Samara when celebrating a civil union with a donation 'in lieu of gifts.'

Yes, unapologetically, we do have a mission.

Join Samara in creating permanent resources for making permanent change!

Bill Lippert, Executive Director
Samara Foundation of Vermont

Bill Lippert also serves in the Vermont House of Representatives, representing the Town of Hinesburg.