Anonymous donor throws “Lifeline”

For immediate release                                              

Contact: Chuck Benya 
VP & Chief Development Officer
773-388-8793

 ANONYMOUS DONOR THROWS “LIFELINE”
TO HOWARD BROWN HEALTH CENTERS; CHALLENGES COMMUNITY
TO MATCH UP TO $100,000   

CHICAGO – Nov. 9, 2010 -- Howard Brown Health Center announced today that it has received a $100,000-challenge grant in response to its Lifeline Appeal launched last Thursday. The gift comes from an individual, who previously had a family member treated at Howard Brown. The donor, who chooses to remain anonymous, will match donations 1:1 up to $100,000, enabling donors to double the impact of their contribution to the appeal. 

In a news conference last Thursday, Howard Brown made an unprecedented appeal to the community to help raise $500,000 in 50 days in order to sustain its health and wellness services and to keep operating. Immediately, donations of all sizes started coming in from donors willing to help keep Howard Brown open. Within five days, the organization raised $90,000 through donations – from on-line to cash donations by walk-in donors. 

Upon hearing the news about the crisis, one donor called Howard Brown President and CEO Jamal M. Edwards.  After a brief, but emotional, conversation the donor generously offered a $100,000 challenge grant for the appeal.  The donor credits Howard Brown Health Center with saving his son’s life and said, emphatically, “we can’t let this happen; we can’t let Howard Brown fail.”   

The challenge grant is contingent upon raising matching funds of $100,000 by Nov. 30. 

Edwards shared the good news with his Executive Team, all of whom were deeply and emotionally moved by the kindness and generosity of this donor and of the community that quickly stepped up and provided an initial boost of momentum for the Lifeline’s Appeal. 

“Our challenge donor has bolstered our much needed lifeline, because he and his family believe in us and the work we do. That has and will make all of the difference for our future,” said Edwards. “We reached out to the community for a lifeline, and people are responding. We still have a lot to do before the deadline, but because of this generous donor’s challenge grant, gift can now count twice toward the goal. A donation of $25 will be $50 and $75 will be $150.” 

Edwards adds that the appeal has benefited from strong, grassroots community support and the local business community who recognize the critical importance of the organization’s primary health care, behavioral health, youth and research programs. 

To donate to Howard Brown’s Lifeline appeal, please visit www.HowardBrown.org or call (773) 388-1600.

About Howard Brown Health Center
Founded in 1974, Howard Brown is now one of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning and allies (LGBTQA) organizations. The agency serves more than 36,000 adults and youth each year in its diverse health and social service delivery system focused around seven major programmatic divisions: primary medical care, behavioral health, research, HIV/STD prevention, youth services, elder services, and community initiatives. Howard Brown is a multi-site operation based in Chicago and includes a main health and research center in the Uptown neighborhood TRIAD Health practice at Illinois Masonic Hospital, the Broadway Youth Center, and three Brown Elephant resale shops in Chicago and Oak Park.