OCTOBER 8-11, 2009



brought to you by

Sponsor - Smirnoff Ice

Sponsor - Coors Light

Sponsor - Esurance

Sponsor - Darden Restaurants

Sponsor - Bank of America



Sponsor - Watermark

Sponsor - Funky Monkey

Sponsor - Fuze Beverages

Sponsor -Charles Schwab

Sponsor - Shelbie Press

Sponsor - Patty Sheehan

Sponsor - John Michael Events





Sponsor - Gay Days Orlando





Sponsor - Gecko CPA Firm

Sponsor - French Gourmet Quiche

Sponsor - What's Happening Magazine

Sponsor - Eo Inn & Spa

Sponsor - HRC

 

Sponsor - Symantec

Sponsor - Walt Disney Company

Sponsor - Cruise One

Sponsor - OMG! Magazine

Sponsor - Verizon Wireless

Sponsor - Mark's List









Sponsor - Verizon Wireless

















The PRIDE Gives Back! program was developed by the MBA Board of Directors to support local LGBT and Equal-Rights organizations that work in the Central Florida Community.  Since its inception following Come Out With PRIDE in October 2007, PRIDE Gives Back has infused over $7,000 into our local community.  Each month, the MBA Board of Directors selects a local organization as a grantee.

Previous recipients of these grants include:

  • Miracle of Love
  • Tim Brown – 2008 Come Out With PRIDE Scholarship winner
  • Transgender Day of Remembrance
  • BeReal
  • Jessica Osborn – 2007 Come Out With PRIDE Scholarship winner
  • Joy Charities
  • Lorraine Reed Memorial Food Bank
  • Hope & Help of Central Florida, Inc.
  • Juno Foundation
  • Ryan Skipper Memorial Fund (dedicated to increasing awareness of hate crimes)
  • The Center
  • Orlando Youth Alliance
  • Fairness for All Families
  • PFLAG
  • HRC
  • Orlando Gay Chorus
  • GLBSU
  • ACLU 

Metropolitan Business Association Community Giving Guidelines

Our vision
»Establish and nurture a network of business and professional resources for the LGBT and allied communities.
»Encourage fellowship and support among businesses and professionals, individuals, and charitable pursuits in the LGBT and allied communities.
»Oppose prejudice on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in society at large and within the LGBT and allied communities.
»Foster communication, tolerance and mutual support among GLBT persons and the allied communities.
»Provide positive role models in the GLBT and allied communities.

Focus of the program
MBA Community Relations has two main focus areas:
1. Local LGBT organizations - At the MBA we will always focus on making a positive impact on the community. We will help with donations and activities in our local communities that help LGBT organizations achieve their fullest potential. Supporting LGBT organizations to be successful is an area in which the MBA has experience and can make a difference.
2. Pro-equal rights and anti-discrimination efforts affecting our local community - The MBA will support organizations and causes that promote LGBT equality and fight against discrimination.

How we choose our partners
In order to maximize the positive impact that the program has on our local communities, the MBA will focus on:

  • Partnerships with organizations whose primary purpose is the LGBT local community.
  • Programs in our local community where we can make a real difference.
  • Programs where we can take an active role and utilize the MBA expertise and business knowledge.
  • Programs that promote diversity and include the entire LGBT community.
  • The MBA will only support organizations that operate in accordance with our non-discriminatory policy regarding race, religion, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, citizenship, marital or veteran status, ancestry, disability, medical condition, or any other classification protectetd by applicable law. 

When evaluating proposals, we will consider the following priorities:

  • Does the program match well with our vision?
  • Is the organization registered as not-for-profit or charity?
  • Does the program support the local LGBT community and encourage diversity?
  • Does the program support the local community or environment?
  • Can we use our business knowledge?
  • Can we involve our energetic MBA members?

With our Community Relations Program, the MBA does not support:

  • Individual requests
  • Programs / organizations outside our local community, defined as the greater Orlando area
  • Political organizations, religious organizations for religious purposes
  • Third party organizations raising money for a charity
  • Sports teams, leagues, golf tournaments
  • Organizations that are not open to all members of the community
  • Foundations, capital campaigns, or endowment fund drives

How to apply

If your organization fits within the guidelines, please follow these steps:

  1. Print the Community Relations Program Application Form.

  2. Complete all mandatory sections of the form; incomplete applications will not be considered.

  3. Return the completed form, along with any supporting documentation to

                               email: info@mbaorlando.org
                                                 -or-
                                     mail: MBA Orlando
                                        PO Box 536981
                                  Orlando, FL 32853-6381

You should receive notification about your request within 60 days. Please take time frame into consideration when applying for a specific program or event.



Download the Community Support Program Application here.