FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS CONTACT: John S. Shore BOARD VOLUNTEER Shore Public Relations 214-352-5111 or 214-738-1516 [email protected] CALL FOR 2011 BLACK TIE DINNER BENEFICIARY APPLICATIONS ANNOUNCES BENEFICIARY SELECTION PROCESS AND DEADLINES DALLAS (EMBAROGED UNTIL January 28, 2011) – Black Tie Dinner, Inc., is proud to begin its 30th year in partnership with and support of the North Texas lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community organizations and its national beneficiary, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF). Each year, the Black Tie Dinner Board of Directors selects up to 20 LGBT supportive organizations from the North Texas area in addition to HRCF to receive funds distributed from that year’s charitable dinner event. Beneficiary applications will be available on the Black Tie website on Tuesday, February 1, 2011. To be eligible, candidates must have a tax-exempt status as determined by the IRS, be able to demonstrate significant service to the North Texas LGBT community and must use a majority of their funds for direct programs and services. Completed beneficiary applications are due by 5:00 pm on Friday, February 25, 2011. The Board uses a rigorous application review process to select up to 20 North Texas organizations that will receive the proceeds from the Dinner. The beneficiaries will be announced on Wednesday, March 30, 2011. The Black Tie Dinner will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2011. For additional information about the Dinner, visit http://www.blacktie.org. Questions regarding the beneficiary application process may be emailed to Ron Hill at [email protected]. -MORE- BLACK TIE DINNER, INC. 4015 LEMMON AVENUE, SUITE 4001 PMB #321, DALLAS, TEXAS 75219 972- 733- 9200 WWW.BLACKTIE.ORG Black Tie Dinner/Page Two About Black Tie Dinner Black Tie Dinner is a non-profit organization that raises funds for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) supportive organizations serving North Texas through a premier event of empowerment, education and entertainment in partnership with the community. Since 1982, the nation's largest LGBT fundraising dinner has grown and prospered in a supportive environment. The evolution of our community is reflected in the yearly increases that our beneficiaries have received. The first dinner produced a $6,000 donation to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and has grown to distribute over $15 million to our national and local beneficiaries. Black Tie Dinner continues to be the most successful dinner in the country supporting the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and has the distinction of being the only dinner also benefiting local beneficiaries. The event has headlined local and national celebrities and leaders such as Maya Angelou, Geena Davis, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen, Gavin Newsom and Congresswoman, Tammy Baldwin. Black Tie Dinner recognizes individuals, organizations or corporations that have made significant contributions regarding the continued fight for LGBT rights on a national and local level. The Elizabeth Birch Equality Award is given in recognition of the inspirational leadership of former HRC Executive Director Elizabeth Birch. The Kuchling Humanitarian Award, named in honor of the late Raymond Kuchling, a leading activist in Dallas’ LGBT community in the 1980s, is given to individuals who have made extraordinary gifts of their time and talents on behalf of the LGBT community. The Media Award recognizes the importance of increased positive awareness of LGBT issues in the media. In the past 30 years, Black Tie Dinner has proudly honored Elizabeth Birch, Sharon Stone, Judy Shepard, Alan Cumming, Showtime Networks/Robert Greenblatt, Bishop V. Gene Robinson, Steve Atkinson, Cyndi Lauper, Logo Network/Brian Graden, Chely Wright and American Airlines with these awards. For more information about the Black Tie Dinner or this year’s event, visit www.blacktie.org or call 972-733-9200, ext. 1. # # # BLACK TIE DINNER, INC. 3878 OAK LAWN SUITE 100- B #321 DALLAS, TEXAS 75219 972- 733- 9200 WWW.BLACKTIE.ORG .