The Aurora Group has given seven community organisations a total of over $30,000 to support the LGBTI community in New South Wales.

The Aurora Small Grants Program gives up to $5000 raised from supporters at events like the Annual Ball to projects which might otherwise miss out on funding.

“This year’s Small Grants are full of innovative and creative ideas to strengthen the LGBTI community,” said Aurora chairperson, Adam Niewand.

“The generosity of Aurora’s supporters is now going to breathe life into these seven promising projects – thank you to everyone who donated in the past year.”

The projects funded by the 2014 Small Grants program are:

1. Family Planning NSW:

a photographic exhibition travelling to regional NSW that explores the sexual rights of LGBTI people with disabilities.

2. The Trustee for Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia:

seminars targeting gay and bi men’s awareness of prostate cancer.

3. Family Resource and Network Support:

diversity workshops to build awareness of LGBTI perspectives among young people with an intellectual disability.

4. Twenty10 Camp Out:

an interactive multi-media educational program where young people can hear other LGBTI stories and add their own to a digital archive.

5. Queer Screen:

an event addressing the effects of drugs and mental illness for the LGBTI community in western Sydney.

6. Women in Prison Advocacy Network:

a mentoring program for lesbian and bi women exiting prison.

7. Cancer Council of NSW:

a webinar for members of the LGBTI community affected by cancer, and diversity training for staff.

In addition to the Small Grants program, Aurora’s major grants recipient is Twenty10 incorporating the Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service.