ARTICLE I — Name

The name of this Maryland Non-Profit Organization shall be “JPride Baltimore Corp,” referred to in these Bylaws as the “Organization” or “JPride.”

ARTICLE II — Location

Section 2.1. The principal office and mailing address of the Organization shall be maintained in the records of the Organization and may be changed by resolution of the Board of Directors without amendment of these Bylaws.

Section 2.2. The Organization may also have offices at such other places, within or outside the State of Maryland, where it is qualified to do business, as its business may require and as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate. Administrative matters may be conducted online, with in-person and virtual gatherings held periodically throughout the year as the Board decides.

ARTICLE III — Powers and Purposes

Section 3.1. Core Mission. JPride Baltimore helps to create safe spaces and equality for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families within the Jewish community through support, education, advocacy, and community-building.

Background

Then known as “JQ Baltimore,” the organization, operating as a partnership/group, hosted its inaugural event on February 18, 2013 in the historic Kaplan Social Hall at Beth Am Synagogue in Reservoir Hill. In time, the organization functioned under fiduciary sponsorship of a Baltimore-area non-profit, Fusion Partnerships.

In 2017, the fund relaunched with the new name “JPride Baltimore,” with founder Mindy Dickler returning as its Chair. The organization left Fusion, as its purpose became codified as a standalone grant depository. Under the oversight of subsequent chairs, the organization, operating under a donor-advised fund of the Associated, pledged its purpose to host a seed grant for charitable purposes, expending $1,000 maximum per project. Since then, as leadership has changed and grown, the Board expects to expand this purpose. No amendment will be needed to adjust this scope as long as the Mission remains appropriate.

In October 2022, JPride Baltimore began the effort to seek federal 501(c)(3) status, granted on January 19, 2023. JPride’s succinct purpose is to support local Jewish LGBTQ+ programming in the Baltimore Metro Area.

Mission Statement