John,

We’re living in a world of unknowns. When will folks will be able to return to work? When will we be able to embrace friends and family again, without fear? When will life return to what it was before?

I wish I could answer these questions. But like you, I can only follow the advice of experts and hope that our elected officials are listening to them as well. And while I can’t answer those questions, I wanted to give you a quick update on how Victory Fund’s essential work continues in this unprecedented environment.

Before I dive into the details, the need for support is at an all-time high. We can’t continue the work I’ll describe below without donors like you. If you can donate today, you will keep our work going.

I’m proud to report that our candidates and elected officials are among those championing the changes our political system desperately needs. They’re fighting to not only change the way Americans vote, but to expand access to the ballot on Election Day. But many of them were dependent on an in-person field plan and meeting donors and voters face-to-face. Our candidates – already easily dismissed by the old boys’ networks that still run the political world in many cities – are severely impacted by COVID-19 restrictions that upend their entire field program.

Will you donate today to help replace our lost in-person fundraising? Your donation will help Victory Fund and our candidates enormously.

But we are helping them pivot to new programing and new strategies. Providing coaching sessions, tools and media opportunities to help them adjust and break through. Here at Victory Fund, we’ve moved an enormous amount of our programming online (I’ve learned a lot about Zoom and Facebook Live this month!), including our new weekly Sunday Social virtual brunch with our top candidates and elected officials speaking to us from their homes. Our new Winning 2020 Facebook Live series with candidates takes you inside their races and gives you a first-hand account of campaigning under COVID-19. We’re also creating a portal to share volunteer campaign opportunities that can be done from home and can help turnout voters for our candidates.  

There’s a lot to feel nervous about right now, to think that the unknowns will defeat us or that answers will never come. But we’ll get through this. I know that Victory Fund will remain as strong as ever because of you, and our candidates are going to keep fighting to win so they can then fight for us. But we desperately need your help to keep our work going. Any donation is appreciated – chip in today.

Keep an eye on your inbox. This isn’t the last update you’ll see from me. And never forget, we’re with you in spirit. And we’ll be together again soon.

Until then,

Annise Parker

President & CEO, LGBTQ Victory Fund