The Pony Barnes Foundation is excited to announce our 2023 grantees–the very first cycle of camps to represent our new mission to support camp experiences that promote belonging and connections for LGBTQ+ youth and their families. Last year, we opened applications for three different grant programs:
 

• The Dr. Virginia Barnes Learning & Leadership Fund

• The Brave Space Fund

• The Rainbow Family Camp Fund

 

Across categories, we were able to award a total of nine grants to seven camps across California to support programs in 2023.

With PBF’s support, these camps have the resources they need to build truly incredible programs, including a teen leadership camp experience, a scholarship fund, including specific scholarships for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) LGBTQ+ youth, two new LGBTQ+ family camp offerings, and LGBTQ+ inclusion training for staff. These initiatives will impact over 1,000 LGBTQ+ campers, nearly 500 LGBTQ+ families, and a total of over 8,200 campers across California this year. We can't wait to see the positive impact these programs have on the lives of LGBTQ+ youth and their families. It's going to be a summer to remember!

Click an icon below to learn about each camp's unique programs.