The 2012 grant application deadline has passed. Stay tuned for news of the 2012 grantees and for the next proposal cycle in 2013!

Mission Statement
Founded in 2011, Horizons Young Professionals for Equality(HYPE)empowers and unitesemerging professional leaders in the San Francisco Bay Area through acts of charitable giving to LGBT organizations and through the development of strong community relationships.

How do I get involved?
If you would like to become a member, we invite you to:

• Register here
• Attend our next event
• Speak with any current HYPE members
• Speak to any of the co-chairs

What is HYPE?
Horizons Young Professionals for Equality is an opportunity for emerging professionals to become more involved in philanthropy and connect with other young professionals who support San Francisco's LGBT community.

An initiative of the Horizons Foundation and HYPE's founding members, the Horizons Young Professionals for Equality program was developed to enable participants to pool smaller contributions in support of the LGBT community, to network with other community-minded individuals, and to learn and grow into their roles as future leaders in the community.

The program is founded on the principle of strength in numbers-when we give together, we multiply the community impact of our giving. In short, HYPE is a vehicle for young donors to flex their collective philanthropic muscles.

HYPE is a part of a growing movement of giving circles. These grassroots groups pool resources to demonstrate that individual donors don't have to be wealthy to have significant charitable impact in their communities. One important benefit of giving circles is their ability to forge meaningful connections between like-minded individuals.

How does HYPE work?
To become a member of Horizons Young Professionals for Equality community, individuals commit to donating $25 a month for one year-$300 in total-to Horizons Foundation.

20% of the contribution amount directly supports the work of the Horizons Foundation. 80% of the pool is designated as share funds to be distributed annually to an LGBT organization selected by members. (See chart.)



In addition to awarding grants, HYPE also hosts social gatherings, parties and educational events for members.

How is the grant decision made?
HYPE selects grant recipients based on input from members. Each year, HYPE co-chairs and any interested members meet to discuss funding interests and determine how grant money will be dispersed. The leadership of Horizons Foundation, which receives scores of detailed requests for support each year from local LGBT organizations, serves in an advisory capacity to the HYPE Grant Committee.

Is HYPE a huge time commitment?
No. HYPE is designed for you to be involved as little or as much as you would like. The only requirement is that you donate your portion to the pool.

As a member, you will have the option to vote for an organization that you want to receive the HYPE share grant. Other ways to be further involved include:

• Participating in the selection and review process for the share grant
• Contributing to outreach and recruitment to grow the roster of HYPE members
• Attending any of our social or educational events
• Shaping the direction and future of HYPE
• Becoming more involved with Horizons Foundation at large and/or
• Contributing any of your other skills or interest to HYPE