Photo of Kent Burbank wearing a dark suit and colorful tie in front of a purple patterned background.

Message from LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund’s New Chair

Dear Friends & Community,

I hope you are staying safe and healthy in our shared recovery from COVID-19. 

As we seek to uplift Southern Arizona’s marginalized communities throughout- and beyond- the pandemic, I want to let you know that I’ve assumed the role of Chair of the LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund following the appointment of our dear friend, Karin Uhlich, to the Tucson City Council. 

First and foremost, I wish to thank Karin for her steadfast commitment to the mission of our organization. Because of her leadership, Karin leaves the LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund with a strong foundation to keep moving the needle on queer diversity, equity, and inclusion in Southern Arizona. And, I am delighted that while Karin regrettably had to step down as chair, she will continue to serve the Alliance Fund in a board emeritus role. 

My husband, Vicente, and I arrived in Tucson in 2000 at a critical time when the Alliance Fund’s philanthropic mission was just beginning

In those two decades, I’ve committed myself to uplifting our LGBTQ+ neighbors as the first Executive Director of Wingspan, Director of Victim Services with the Pima County Attorney’s Office, and now in my work as faculty at Pima Community College. 

All these years later, Vicente and I remain committed to LGBTQ+ advocacy because our work is far from over, and the Alliance Fund is on an upward trajectory that is critical for continued investment.

This year, we will surpass a huge milestone: a cumulative $1 million in grants supporting LGBTQ+ initiatives and programs since 1999. 

As I assume this leadership role with the Alliance Fund, I’m hopeful that we can continue to earn your ongoing investment and trust as Southern Arizona’s premier organization for LGBTQ+ philanthropy and social change. 

You are an instrumental part of our transformational work, and I look forward to many more years of partnering with you. 

Thank you, 


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