Over the weekend of 17 November, The Pinnacle Foundation is asking people around Australia to host a dinner event and to invite their friends and family.
But instead of the guests bringing wine, flowers or dessert, they are asked to make a tax deductible donation to The Pinnacle Foundation.
The foundation will then use the donations to fund scholarships for disadvantaged and marginalised LGBTIQ students, between the ages of 17 and 26, attending year 12, TAFE or university.
Every year Pinnacle receives hundreds of applications from students who have been disadvantaged for being LGBTIQ.
Some of the students may have been asked to leave home, and some are homeless.Regardless of their circumstances these students are all dedicated to their studies and ensuring they achieve their full potential.
In order to support these LGBTIQ students to achieve their academic goals and to finish school, attend TAFE or study at university, The Pinnacle Foundation awards scholarships with mentoring support for each recipient.
In the past nine years, The Pinnacle Foundation has awarded 193 scholarships to 122 students. Each scholar is matched with a mentor, based on sexual identity, geography and field of study. There a range of scholarships available for the purpose of gaining an educational or vocational qualification in any profession, trade or arts.
As The Pinnacle Foundation does not receive any support from the government, all scholarships are funded by donations from individuals and corporations, hence the Night of a Thousand Dinners on 17 November.
Supporters are encouraged to arrange a dinner, drinks, brunch, BBQ or picnic (whatever suits their lifestyle) invite friends to participate by attending the event and donating to The Pinnacle Foundation.
To register for the Night of a Thousand Dinners and access resources to support an event visit thepinnaclefoundation.org/dinners/. Further information about the scholarships and mentoring can be found on The Pinnacle Foundation website.
— Mel Smith, Trade Union Training Officer and Officer attached to the LGBTIQ Special Interest Group