Empowering Spirits Foundation | ESF | Promoting Equality Through Community Service

The Empowering Spirits Foundation, Inc. (ESF) is a national nonprofit civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality through community service activities. Instead of attempting to change laws ESF strives to change the hearts and minds of individuals and institutions that may have not previously favored gay rights or supported LGBT populations, through events designed to allow both sides to work together in a positive environment to foster non-confrontational dialogue and dispel negative stereotypes. Volunteer today and help ESF promote equality!

Apr. 28, 2011

ESF to Produce Free to Be Festival

ESF is proud to announce the first annual Free to Be festival, a one-day event featuring marquee musical talent, local bands and artists, nationally known DJs coupled with educational components and empowerment ideals.

A list of confirmed artists along with additional event sponsors will be posted on FreeToBe.MogoTix.com in the weeks leading up to the event.

ESF President A. Latham Staples said that the event is about more than creating a one-day festival.

“This is about creating a movement,” Staples said. “A movement about celebrating who we are and being OK with it without worrying about the expectations of society. We hope to inspire our audience to create a shift in society. We want it to spread like wildfire. We want to empower people to be happy to be who they are and to disregard judgment,” he said.

Dec. 18, 2010

ESF Statement on the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Today is a momentous day for the LGBT community and for all who value equality, because today, the U.S. joins 23 other nations who do not tolerate discrimination against LGBT service members within military ranks.

The repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is just one step to setting this country on a path to full equality for all.

Since the policy was enacted in 1993, approximately 14,000 skilled men and women dedicated to protecting our country have been discharged, not for poor performance, but because of who they are.

The repeal of DADT helps bring this country closer to the ideals our country's founding fathers laid out in the Declaration of Independence. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." The line is simple, yet powerful.

Dec. 09, 2010

ESF Announces Funding Partnership with TRU

The Empowering Spirits Foundation has finalized a collaborative funding partnership with TRU, an independent consulting company which helps businesses save money on payment processing products and services.

TRU has committed to donating a percentage of each transaction made at a participating business to ESF at the end of each month out of their own profit, with no additional cost to participating business owners.

“Being raised by missionary/foster parents I learned at a very early age the importance of using my life as a way to give back to others and to improve my community. After reading countless articles about how individuals have given away their fortunes toward the end of their life, I thought why wait,” said TRU President and Founder Matthew Focht, noting the organization will be donating 20 percent of its monthly profits to non-profit organizations, including ESF.