GSBA, Washington State’s LGBTQ+ and allied Chamber of Commerce, continues its legacy of support for LGBTQ+ individuals with significant enhancements to its Scholarship & Education Fund and the addition of the Workforce Development Fund in 2024. These scholarships, funded by generous donations from individuals and corporations alike, have helped nearly 600 students achieve their dreams and continue their education since its inception in 1991.
This year’s selection process was quite competitive, with a record number of 372 applicants. An additional thirty-nine exceptional students were accepted into the existing cohort. With twenty students graduating this year, the total number of scholars has reached an impressive seventy, an increase of 40% over 2023. This includes twenty-two undergraduates, two associate degree seekers, three graduate students, and twelve workforce scholars, all of whom are on track to make a significant impact in their respective fields.
Notably, only three of the thirty-nine new students are attending school outside of Washington State, and most will attend local institutions such as Western Washington University and Washington State University, and several community colleges, including Skagit College, Watcom Community College, South Puget Sound Community College, and Columbia Basin College.
This year, GSBA also introduced the Workforce Development Fund, which provides financial assistance to LGBTQ+ scholars pursuing high-demand trades, such as dental hygiene, ASL interpretation, and electrical technicians. This fund addresses the underrepresentation of LGBTQ+ individuals in skilled trades. Thanks to this scholarship, these trainees have been empowered to attend trade programs at Spokane Falls Community College, Wenatchee Valley College, Green River Community College, and Everett Community College to learn about their vocations.
“Our GSBA scholars will now become our future nurses, pilots, carpenters, and maritime and aviation employees, to name just a few of the fields in which this new fund is opening up opportunities,” boasts GSBA President and CEO Ilona Lohrey.
While scholarship applications for both funds open annually on National Coming Out Day, October 11th, GSBA staff and volunteers are ready to support and amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ leaders and entrepreneurs year-round including the interview and selection process.
“It takes a team of dedicated volunteers for all of this magic to happen,” says Stacy Harbour-Van Hoy, GSBA’s Scholarship & Education Program Manager.
Beyond financial assistance, GSBA provides comprehensive support to its scholars year-round, including workshops on career development and personal growth, networking opportunities with industry professionals, events such as the sold-out Scholars Celebration Brunch, scheduled for this Saturday, April 27th, at Motif Seattle, and a two-day annual Immersion Weekend full of workshops and classes in the summer.
GSBA invites those passionate about LGBTQ+ education and workforce development to join their volunteer team and make a difference in the lives of queer students or donate to the Scholarship and Education Fund. For more information, visit the thegsba.org
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About GSBA:
GSBA is Washington State’s LGBTQ+ and allied chamber of commerce and is the largest of its kind in North America. We represent small business, corporate, and nonprofit members who share the values of promoting equality and diversity in the workplace.
GSBA proudly serves as a connector across the region, bringing the community together through business while advocating for civil rights and small business, promoting LGBTQ+ tourism, and investing in the next generation of leaders through the GSBA Scholarship & Education Fund. For more, visit thegsba.org
