Focus Center Foundation – Memphis Flyer

The Focus Center Foundation has named Moth Moth Moth as its new program director.

The Focus Center is a Memphis nonprofit foundation that provides programming for Focus LGBT magazine and the Mid-South community. New programming for the foundation will include expanding The Prism Pages (a literary section in Focus from local queer creative writers), a new local HIV art showcase program to use creativity through the arts to raise awareness, and a new podcast to complement the work in each of these avenues.

Moth Moth Moth, known as Mothie, is a Memphis artist, writer, performer, and programmer. In her career, Mothie has “developed programs for youth, created some of the city’s most favorite drag shows, and has made a cultural impact on the region one hug at a time.”

“Bringing someone unique like Moth on as our program director is sure to bring a new creative element to the LGBT canvas that is the Mid-South,” said Focus founder Ray Rico. “Their work writing, creating art, and performing as visual artists with drag is something that the community embraces.

“The experience in programming Moth brings to us is invaluable and we are so thrilled to bring Moth on board.”

Moth Moth Moth “seeks to find places for people to feel safe, to express, and to move forward as a spiritually beautiful and literally beautiful culture.”

To get in touch, email programs@focuscenterfoundation.org.

Focus Mid-South/Facebook

Is your nonprofit organization super friendly to the LGBTQ+ community?

Could it use $20,000 in marketing, advertising, and some cold, hard cash?

Sounds like you should apply for the first-ever Focus Center Foundation grant. That grant is up for grabs now from the folks behind the Focus Awards and “Focus Magazine.”

To enter, nonprofits must prove they are, in fact, registered nonprofit organizations. The winning organization “must honor the mission, values, and vision of ‘Focus Magazine’ and the Focus Center Foundation.”
Focus Mid-South/Facebook

Here’s the mission statement at “Focus Magazine”:

“Focus Magazine will promote LGBT inclusivity through dignified delivery of content that is relevant to LGBT persons; editorial and advertising content will be included at the discretion of the publisher to assure thoughtful and respectful content for all: LGBT and straight.

Focus Magazine will be no-or-low-cost to its readers; it’s free online and locally in print, and available regionally in print via low-cost mail subscription, thereby removing access barriers.”

Organizations must also submit their nondiscrimination policies ”effectively in place and enforced.”

The prize package includes $20,000 in marketing, advertising, and a cash prize provided by Ray Rico Freelance, Focus Mid-South Magazine, and the Focus Center Foundation.

“One of the biggest pain points for nonprofits is the lack of funding for marketing and advertising locally,” said Rico, owner of Ray Rico Freelance and publisher of Focus Magazine. “We aim to help fill that need.”

Applications are being accepted online only. The deadline for applications is Sunday, August 4th at 11:59 p.m.

The applications will first be judged during a social media and online voting period from August 7th through 14th. Finalists will be determined and a five-judge panel will review these finalists and vote for their favorites. The online vote counts 25 percent, while the judges’ votes count 75 percent towards the total score. One winner and one runner-up will be chosen.

Announcement of the winner will be made on Friday, August 23rd at the Focus Awards. If the winner is not present at the event, the prize will go to the runner up.