Civil Marriage Collaborative (CMC)

Replace this text with the text in the HEADLINE section of the email.

INTRO

The Civil Marriage Collaborative (CMC) is the national strategy forum for engaged philanthropists committed to achieving full marriage equality for same-sex couples in the United States. In its first four funding cycles (2004-2007), the CMC granted nearly $5.5 million to Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, and Transgender (LGBT) and allied organizations fighting for marriage equality in 17 states.

CMC grantees have played key roles in every recent statewide public education campaign to secure the freedom to marry and every ensuing legal and legislative win for the movement. By telling the real life stories of same-sex couples; by strategically and patiently educating stakeholders, both public and governmental; by developing compelling, consistent messages about the need for full equality -these grantees and the movement overall are creating a national climate in which marriage equality can be won and people's lives transformed. Just as importantly, by standing firm in their resolve to achieve marriage equality and refusing to settle for second-class civil unions, advocates are making it possible to secure other rights for LGBT people and non-LGBT families.

THE MARRIAGE LANDSCAPE

The struggle to win marriage equality for same-sex couples is gaining tremendous momentum.
After more than a decade of national dialogue and state-by-state battles, increasing numbers of Americans support full marriage equality. A May 2007 Gallup poll showed 53 percent opposing gay couples' freedom to marry, with 46 percent in support. A decade ago only 27 percent of Americans supported an end to marriage discrimination. Likewise, a 2006 Pew Research Center poll found that the national trend is clearly moving toward support for marriage equality, particularly among people ages 18 to 29, 53 percent of whom favor full equality. Majorities in other demographics, and some states, favor full equality as well.

In 2007, a record ten states introduced marriage equality legislation and important legal decisions are pending in several state courts. These victories also have significant positive ripple effects on other efforts to win civil and human rights protections and recognition for LGBT individuals, families, and communities and to advance other progressive causes as well. Because CMC members believe that the freedom to marry can be won in several states in the near term and in additional states within the next six years, we aim to increase funding to the marriage equality movement at this critical juncture.

Those struggling for and supportive of marriage rights have already learned the hard way that separate is not equal. Marriage is a civil and human right that confers hundreds of tangible protections and responsibilities on couples and their children, as well as intangible and irreplaceable security and respect. The denial of these protections and responsibilities translates into real economic loss, lack of opportunity, and psychological hardship for LGBT people and their loved ones. Civil unions do not confer all of the rights of marriage. The Civil Marriage Collaborative sets the bar where it belongs: at full equality.

CMC MARRIAGE FUNDING STRATEGY

The CMC funds in states where the possibility of advancing the marriage equality movement is significant. In 2003, when funders first considered a collaborative vehicle for funding marriage equality efforts, the initiating funders reviewed the priorities of groups in the field. What stood out was the need to strengthen the movement's capacity for state-by-state strategic planning, collaboration, education, and advocacy. The CMC emerged in response to this need and works to support coordinated marriage equality efforts at the state level.

The CMC funds organizations that have clear, comprehensive plans for achieving marriage. CMC grantees are implementing sophisticated strategies to frame the public debate in their states. These groups excel at building effective collaborations among LGBT and allied groups that are working vigorously to bring under-represented constituencies into the debate as leaders and spokespersons. The CMC holds a particular commitment to supporting progressive voices within communities of color and faith-based communities where pro-marriage equality spokespersons and advocates are often unsupported or overlooked. Success hinges on the breadth and depth of the movement as well as the strength of its tactics.

THE PROTEUS FUND - HOME OF THE CMC

Proteus Fund is a public foundation based in Amherst, Massachusetts. Founded in 1994, Proteus encourages philanthropic strategies to revitalize democracy and promote justice. Through collaborative grantmaking, we support organizations working to advance equity and the common good, guided by values of fairness, diversity, and peace. Proteus envisions a nation where public policy and leadership are based on a muscular and engaged democracy, community, justice, human rights, and respect for the environment.

Proteus' grantmaking programs and initiatives are designed to help diverse funders - whether national or regional, foundation or individual - to take advantages of opportunities to extend their impact and achieve their goals. Over our history, we have awarded over $48 million to organizations committed to social justice and public interest advocacy, public financing of elections, enhanced civic participation by underrepresented constituencies, environmental justice, alternative national security policies, peace, a just media environment and democratic media policy, and human rights.

CIVIL MARRIAGE COLLABORATIVE MEMBERS

• David Bohnett Foundation
• Columbia Foundation Gill Foundation 
• Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund
• Horizons Foundation
• Kevin J. Mossier Foundation
• Open Society Institute
• Overbrook Foundation
• An anonymous donor

Contact Us:

Proteus Fund
101 University Drive, Suite A2
Amherst, Massachusetts 01002
Tel: 413 256-0349
Fax: 413 256-3536
www.proteusfund.org