Rainbow Chamber Foundation

The Rainbow Chamber Foundation announced its 2009 scholarship program and will be accepting applications until September 1, 2009.

This is the second year for the Foundation’s scholarship program.  In 2008 two awards of $1,000 each were presented at the installation dinner.  This year’s scholarship recipients will receive awards of at least $1,000 each.  A total of $4,000 has been allocated for awards.

For more information and to download the application visit the Scholarship Programs page.

Montana Hull and Josh Jacoby (photo courtesy of Outword Magazine)

To a standing ovation, Rainbow Chamber Foundation president Josh Jacoby presented high school senior Montana Hull with the first Rainbow Chamber of Commerce Foundation Youth Leadership Award at the Lambda Awards ceremony held on Monday, March 23, 2009.  The award is given to a youth who has demonstrated integrity, leadership, and courage in the face of adversity.

Montana has overcome tremendous adversity in his young life.  He was placed in foster care at age 11, then lived in some 15 different homes in a three year period.  He attended eight different high schools and college wasn’t even a dream.  At age 14, Montana was referred to Sierra Adoption Services, an agency that has been extremely successful in working with LGBT children and in helping many LGBT people become adoptive parents themselves.

Through Sierra Adoption, Montana found his two moms, Jen and Minet.  Today, Montana is a successful senior at Sacramento Charter High School where he participates in track, volleyball, varsity cheerleading, and Student Senate.  He is carrying a 3.0 grade point average and has just been accepted to Sacramento State University.

The Youth Leadership Award was one of several presented at the highly successful 17th Annual Lambda Awards, benefiting the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center.  This year the Rainbow Chamber Foundation is funding programs and mental health services for youth at the Center, in addition to continuing our educational scholarship program.

A committee headed by Sacramento attorney Gerald W. Filice, with members Richard Hernandez (Hyatt Regency Sacramento), Sam Hedgepeth (MAACO North Highlands), David Larsen (Farmers Insurance, Roseville), and others, is implementing the 2009-2010 scholarship program.  After revising and streamlining the application process, the committee is currently actively taking steps to ensure that the community learns of [...]

Planning is well under way for the 3rd Annual Rainbow Chamber of Commerce Officer and Board member Installation Dinner.  The dinner is the largest fundraiser for the Foundation and takes months of careful planning and coordination.
Stephanie Slagel (State Farm Insurance, Carmichael) is doing a phenomenal job chairing the committee, which has nearly completed all preparations.
The [...]