Our 2021 Beneficiary Application has closed. Stay tuned for information on our 2021 beneficiaries in upcoming months!
The Black Tie Dinner is a celebration of and for those who do so much for the North Texas LGBTQ community. Each year half of the net proceeds of Black Tie Dinner are distributed among the local beneficiaries and the other half to our national beneficiary, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. There are two primary factors that define the distribution variance to local beneficiaries are affiliations.
Local Beneficiaries are required to fill a minimum number of tables at the Dinner. This is tracked through Table Affiliations. A single table may be affiliated with up to two local Beneficiaries. In the case of tables affiliated by a sponsor, a portion of that sponsor's net cash contribution is applied directly to the affiliated beneficiaries during the distribution calculation.
Local Beneficiaries are required to sell a minimum number of raffle tickets during the course of the year. This is tracked through Raffle Affiliations. Once a Beneficiary's requirement has been met, a portion of the funds from any additional affiliated tickets is applied directly to that Beneficiary during the distribution calculation.
Local Beneficiaries are required to procure a minimum value of items for the Black Tie Dinner Silent Auction during the course of the year. Once a Beneficiary's requirement has been met, a portion of the proceeds received from any additional donated items is applied directly to that Beneficiary during the distribution calculation.
Each year, Black Tie Dinner announces a call for applications, encouraging eligible organizations to apply. Up to twenty local beneficiaries may be selected to receive proceeds from that year's dinner. Simply meeting criteria for eligibility, however, does not guarantee that an organization will be selected. Applicants are evaluated through a structured selection process.
In a review process, the Black Tie Dinner Board of Directors rates each applicant on financial soundness and organizational health and stability as well as service to the North Texas LGBTQ community, including the quality and impact of its programs, services, and activities. In addition, the board considers the applicant’s ability to meet the requirements of Black Tie Dinner participation and, for past beneficiaries, how well they had previously met expectations.
In order to maintain beneficiary status, each beneficiary must meet the following requirements:
Beginning in 1982, the Black Tie Dinner beneficiaries were largely focused on the health care issues relating to the AIDS crisis, and discrimination of the LGBTQ community. 39 years later, there is much work still to be done, and many smaller segments of the LGBTQ community that need the support of Black Tie Dinner, not just financially, but to also help shine our light on their vision.
Beginning in 2017, Black Tie Dinner offered a “First-Year Beneficiary” program that allows new organizations to participate in the Black Tie Dinner with fewer requirements in their first year (i.e., fewer tables, raffle tickets, auction items to contribute, and volunteer hours). In accordance with these decreased requirements, the organization’s share of the financial distribution will be proportionally less.
*Beneficiaries applying for the first time can apply as a Full Beneficiary if they are able to meet all requirements.