PRESS CONTACT: John McGill Black Tie Dinner PR 214-207-9004 [email protected] Black Tie Dinner Calls for 2021 Beneficiary Applications DALLAS (March 1, 2021) – Black Tie Dinner, Inc., announced that the application process to ​ become a beneficiary of its 40th annual fundraising efforts is now open. Each year, the Black Tie Dinner Board of Directors selects up to 20 North Texas LGBTQ community organizations as beneficiaries of its fundraising. All LGBTQ-inclusive 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations with a significant presence in North Texas are invited to apply. Black Tie Dinner holds several digital fundraising initiatives and experiences throughout the year in the Dallas and Fort Worth area, culminating in its annual dinner in downtown Dallas. Details for this year’s 40th annual experience are still in the works; save the date for Saturday, November 13, 2021. In 2020, the organization pivoted and produced its first-ever televised give-a-thon called “Black Tie LIVE” sponsored by BBVA and distributed $875,000 to its beneficiaries. Black Tie Dinner has distributed nearly $26 million since its inception in 1982. To be eligible to be a beneficiary, organizations must have tax-exempt status as determined by the IRS, be able to demonstrate significant service to the North Texas LGBTQ community, and must use a majority of the funds received from Black Tie Dinner for direct community programs and services. Beneficiary applications and more information can be found at blacktie.org/beneficiaries. Completed applications are due by 5:00 p.m. CST on Friday, March 19th, 2021. “After the successful pivots of 2020, we are thrilled to embark on another trailblazing year of fundraising efforts for our community,” says Black Tie Dinner Senior Co-Chair Brad Pitchett. “Our beneficiaries are the driving force behind our Board’s passion and purpose; our commitment to the LGBTQ community in 2021 is to go above and beyond all expectations to support each and every one of them.” Black Tie Dinner also offers a “First-Year Beneficiary” program, which is targeted toward smaller or newer organizations. Open only to first-time beneficiaries, this program has fewer requirements of the beneficiary and in exchange, the First-Year Beneficiary will receive a smaller overall share of the funds distributed. “While we continue to monitor CDC guidelines and the progress of the vaccines, the work of our beneficiaries is more important than ever,” Black Tie Dinner Junior Co-Chair Terry Loftis. “Our mission is to continue to support our beneficiaries as they continue to make a positive impact on the LGBTQ community”. For additional information about Black Tie Dinner, visit blacktie.org. Questions regarding the beneficiary application process may be emailed to [email protected]. ​ ​ About Black Tie Dinner Black Tie Dinner is a non-profit organization that raises funds for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) supportive organizations serving North Texas through a premier event of empowerment, education and entertainment in partnership with the community. From its origins as a small fundraising dinner among friends in 1982, Black Tie Dinner has grown into the largest fundraising dinner in the nation for the LGBTQ community. Each year, Black Tie Dinner selects up to 20 non-profit organizations from North Texas as local beneficiaries of its fundraising, as well as the Human Rights Campaign Foundation as its national beneficiary. To date, Black Tie Dinner has distributed nearly $26 million dollars to a wide variety of organizations serving the needs of the LGBTQ community. The event has headlined local and national celebrities and leaders such as President Biden, Billy Porter, Beto O’Rourke, Matt Bomer, Maya Angelou, Geena Davis, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen, Connie Britton, Kim Petras, and Dustin Lance Black. In addition to live entertainment, Black Tie Dinner honors outstanding service to the LGBTQ community with the Elizabeth Birch Equality Award, the Black Tie Dinner Media Award and the Kuchling Humanitarian Award. Recipients have included Debra Messing, Greg Louganis, Elizabeth Birch, Sharon Stone, Judy Shepard, Alan Cumming, Showtime Networks/Robert Greenblatt, Bishop V. Gene Robinson, Cyndi Lauper, Logo Network/Brian Graden, Chely Wright, American Airlines, Terrence McNally, Chaz Bono, JCPenney, Scouting For All founder Zach Wahl, Erich Bergen, and Jessi Cruickshank. Social Media Copy Revised copy: Since 1982, we’ve raised nearly $26 million for our local DFW beneficiaries and our national beneficiary, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. If your 501(c)(3) organization is LGBTQ-inclusive and has a presence in North Texas, we'd love to add you to our list of deserving beneficiaries! Applications to become a beneficiary of the 2021 Black Tie Dinner, along with more details about the application, qualifications, and requirements, are now available at blacktie.org/beneficiaries. Completed applications are ​ ​ due by Friday, March 19, 2021. Don’t forget to save the date for the 40th Annual Black Tie th Dinner – Saturday, November 13 ,​ 2021! ​ (Action Item: Brandon is sending me an updated graphic) Email Copy Revised copy: Subject line: 2021 Beneficiary Applications Now Open Preview Text: Application process to become a beneficiary of our 40th annual fundraising efforts is now open ​ Copy: The application process to become a beneficiary of our 40th annual fundraising efforts is now open! Each year, Black Tie Dinner selects up to 20 North Texas LGBTQ community organizations as beneficiaries of our fundraising. If your 501(c)(3) ​ organization is LGBTQ-inclusive and has a presence in North Texas, we want you to th ​ apply to be a part of our historic 40 ​ annual experience! ​ Despite the challenges of 2020, our beneficiaries received an average of $50,000+ and ​ the Board of Directors and our tireless volunteers are working hard to make 2021’s historic Black Tie Dinner the biggest and best yet. The application deadline is 5:00 pm th CST on Friday, March 19 ​ so don’t delay - finish your application today! ​ (Click Here Button) linking to: blacktie.org/beneficiaries ​ (Brandon will be sending me an image for this by COB tomorrow) .