Spruce Foundation, a Partner of It Gets Better Philly, Hosts Fundraising Event to Support LGBTQ Grantees

The millennial-led Spruce Foundation, a partner of the It Gets Better Philly Project, will host a variety show to raise funds for its future LGBTQ grantees on November 6, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., at Tabu.

The event will feature sketch comedy, spoken word and burlesque, and the theme, “When I Was Young,” is intended to reflect the mission of the It Gets Better Project and the Foundation’s support for the LGBTQ community, according to Matt Kurilla, the president of the Spruce Foundation.

The show, he said, will showcase messages of acceptance and “how things do get better for LGBTQ kids over time.”

The Foundation added LGBTQ to its grantmaking focus areas three years ago; it has since funded Valley Youth House and The Attic Youth Center, two hubs for LGBTQ youth-oriented services.

“We’re happy and proud to be one of the only [grantmaking] organizations that has a focus on LGBTQ youth in the city,” Kurilla said. The Foundation’s 2015 application process opens on Tuesday, December 2.

In collaboration with the Kimmel Center, the It Gets Better Philly Project is hosting a weeklong series of events, including a youth panel, spoken word series and school assemblies, to address bullying and lend support to LGBTQ youth. Other partners include the Mazzoni Center, GALAEI, Philadelphia FIGHT, and Generocity.org.

The project will culminate with a ticketed performance of the IT GETS BETTER Tour Live on Stage at the Kimmel Center on Saturday, November 8.