Foundation Businessmen Luncheon Honors Legacy and Expands Vision

Sarasota, FL — The Gamma Mu Foundation hosted its annual businessmen’s luncheon on Friday, May 9th during the 2025 Gamma Mu Spring Fly-In (May 8-11, 2025) bringing together more than 100 Gamma Mu members and Foundation donors at the Art Ovation Hotel. The luncheon provided an opportunity to share program milestones, honor key figures, and reflect on the Foundation’s lasting mission.

A standout moment of the luncheon was the tribute to Cliff Pettit, the visionary founder of Gamma Mu. His leadership and foresight were instrumental in shaping the Foundation’s mission. Recognizing the potential to broaden Gamma Mu’s core values and commitment to service, Cliff played a key role in establishing the Gamma Mu Foundation in 1989. Under his guidance, what started as a private social network evolved into a powerful force for philanthropy and service.

The event also featured a presentation by Foundation President John Ellis, who detailed the Foundation’s cumulative impact since its founding. As of 2025, the Gamma Mu Foundation has awarded more than $5.2 million in grants and scholarships, supported over 215 organizations in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and funded 373 scholarships to more than 300 students. The Foundation’s total funds raised now exceed $11 million, with an endowment of $5.5 million and more than 700 Cliff Pettit Fellows.

The luncheon also celebrated the induction of Larry Kam as the 701st Cliff Pettit Fellow, honoring his commitment to advancing the Foundation’s mission. Reflecting on the award, Kam shared: “It’s an honor to be named a Cliff Pettit Fellow. Coming to the U.S. in the 1980s to pursue my education while working multiple jobs taught me the value of opportunity and resilience. Supporting the Gamma Mu Foundation is my way of giving back—helping ensure LGBTQ+ students have the support they need to succeed.”

In addition, the Foundation expressed its gratitude to the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and the chairs of its two key committees-Mark Hendon of the Grants Committee and Doug Morton of the Scholarship Committee-for their outstanding leadership and service.

On Saturday evening, guests gathered at the Sarasota Yacht Club for the Gamma Mu Gala Dinner. During the event, John Ellis announced the creation of the Cliff Pettit Founder Award. This award embodies Gamma Mu’s core mission by backing grassroots LGBTQ+ organizations and offering scholarships to LGBTQ+ students addressing current challenges while nurturing tomorrow’s leaders. As the final Gamma Mu Fly-In, the gala reflected on more than 50 years of history and celebrated Cliff's legacy, the founder of Gamma Mu.

“Many of us grew up with Gamma Mu being a major part of our lives,” said Eric Baker, Foundation Director. “We are better men and people due to the incredible people we have met along the journey, most notably our own Cliff Pettit.”

The weekend began on Thursday with a Kick-Off Party at the home of Chairman Dr. Ron Stanish, and concluded on Sunday with a farewell brunch and Stragglers Party hosted by Jeremy Wright and Andrew Basco. Attendees also toured Selby Gardens and the Ringling Museum and Estate, enjoying Sarasota’s cultural sites.

The Gamma Mu Foundation thanks everyone who participated in the Fly-In weekend. Your involvement ensures the continued growth and impact of our shared mission in LGBTQ+ communities nationwide.

More photos from the weekend can be viewed here.

Gamma Mu Foundation Hosts Inaugural Celebration West in Palm Springs

Palm Springs, CA - The Gamma Mu Foundation proudly hosted its inaugural Celebration West weekend in Palm Springs, March 28–30, 2025, bringing together some 70 participants—including donors, board members, and friends for three unforgettable days of celebration, shared purpose, and legecy building. The weekend honored the Foundation’s enduring commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ individuals in underserved communities across the United States.

The festivities began on Friday evening with a lively meet and greet at the Thompson Hotel Pool Lounge, where guests gathered under the desert sky to connect with fellow supporters, Foundation leaders, and friends old and new.

On Saturday, the weekend’s signature event—Celebration West 2025—was held at the stunning Palm Springs home of Dr. John Block and Chuck Kuglen, longtime champions of the Foundation. The evening featured elegant dining, heartfelt conversation, and a captivating musical performance by acclaimed pianist and songwriter Jason Webber, whose artistry added a powerful and personal touch to the night.

The weekend continued on Sunday with a relaxed brunch and classic car show at the private O'Donnell Golf Club, offering guests a chance to enjoy vintage automobiles and sun-drenched views while reflecting on the weekend’s themes of generosity and progress. The celebration concluded with farewell cocktails at   the   EIGHT4NINE Restaurant and Lounge, where gratitude and plans for the future were shared.

A special thank-you goes to Dr. John Block and Chuck Kuglen, whose warm hospitality and thoughtful planning made the entire weekend possible. Their generosity and vision brought Celebration West to life and created an unforgettable experience for all who attended.

Celebration West was organized in direct response to recommendations in the Foundation’s Donor Survey Report, which called for more opportunities to bring donors together, celebrate shared impact, and recognize grantees and scholarship recipients. The event delivered by creating a meaningful space to honor progress, build momentum, and inspire continued support.

This was more than just a gathering it was a powerful expression of commitment to equity, inclusion, and hope. Celebration West has created a new tradition that brings our mission to life on the West Coast.

The Gamma Mu Foundation looks forward to building on the success of this inaugural event and continuing to foster a vibrant, engaged donor community committed to uplifting LGBTQ+ lives.

Celebration East 2025: Building Community, Empowering the Future

Fort Lauderdale, FL - This past weekend, the Gamma Mu Foundation hosted an unforgettable Celebration East event, culminating in a beautiful evening on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at the Manor House at Richardson Historic Park in Wilton Manors. It was a weekend filled with friendship, inspiration, and shared purpose, bringing together over 100 members of the Gamma Mu family, including board members, long-time donors, and friends from the local community.

The festivities kicked off on Friday with a lively happy hour at No Manors Bar and Lounge, where guests connected over drinks in a welcoming and vibrant setting. On Saturday, the energy continued at The West End Lounge, where the evening featured music, good company, and more opportunities to bond. The weekend’s daytime highlight came on Sunday morning, with a private tour of the Dauer Museum of Classic Cars, offering exclusive access to an awe-inspiring collection of automotive history.

The main event, Celebration East, brought the weekend to a memorable close. A special highlight of the evening was the attendance of Mayor Dean J. Trantalis of Fort Lauderdale, who inspired guests with his heartfelt support for the Foundation’s mission. During the event, Foundation President John Ellis proudly presented the Gamma Mu Foundation Impact Award to Mayor Trantalis in recognition of his unwavering dedication to the LGBTQ+ community and his advocacy for inclusivity.

Throughout the night, guests enjoyed the captivating music of The Synergy Twins, whose performance added an extra layer of energy and excitement to the celebration.

Congratulations to Frank Maguire and his team for expertly planning the events, from venues and décor to food, drinks, and entertainment. And, specific thanks to  Impact Encounters, and John Knox Village for setting up sponsor displays. 

As the evening unfolded, we celebrated the strides made in empowering underserved LGBTQ+ communities and renewed our commitment to building a brighter, more inclusive future. The weekend's success left everyone energized for what lies ahead.

Looking forward, we’re excited to bring this spirit of connection and celebration to the inaugural Celebration West, set to take place in Palm Springs, California, on March 29, 2025. We can’t wait to reunite with our West Coast friends for another extraordinary event.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this weekend so special. Here’s to another year of impact, togetherness, and progress!

Book Signing with Larry Chrysler

Palm Springs, CA - On November 24, 2024, Dr. John Block, Vice President of the Gamma Mu Foundation, and Chuck Kuglen hosted a book signing at their Palm Springs home with long-time Gamma Mu member Larry Chrysler. The event celebrated the release of Chrysler’s new book, "Scattershot – My Journey from the Projects to Rodeo Drive."

Praised by Kirkus Reviews as "a frank and touching look at being gay in America throughout the 20th century," the book resonated deeply with attendees. Approximately 50 guests joined the gathering, and all proceeds from book sales were donated to the Gamma Mu Foundation.

The Foundation is grateful for Larry’s continued support and generosity, as well as the community members who contributed to making the evening a success.

Gamma Mu Foundation Businessmen's Luncheon: A Celebration of Progress and Community

San Antonio, TX - The Gamma Mu Foundation held a prestigious Businessmen's Luncheon on Friday, April 12, 2024, in the elegant St. Anthony's Grand Ballroom during the Gamma Mu Spring Fly-In Event in San Antonio (April 10-14, 2024).

Foundation President John Ellis provided an inspiring update on the Foundation's impactful work including the premlimary results of the donor survey, and took the opportunity to celebrate the induction of three new Cliff Pettit Fellows: Jeremy Johnson, Brandon Houge, and Myles Montano.

With nearly 70 attendees, the luncheon was a resounding success, raising over $70,000 to support the Foundation's mission.

This gathering was a testament to the power of community and the shared commitment of the Gamma Mu family to advancing the Foundation's initiatives.

Gamma Mu Foundation Hosts First-Ever Grant Application Webinars

This year, the Gamma Mu Foundation’s Grants Committee launched an exciting new initiative to support prospective grantees—our first-ever informational webinars. Held on February 6th and March 4th, these sessions provided organizations with key insights into our funding priorities and application process.

The response exceeded expectations, with over 100 participants joining from across the country—from Hawaii to Puerto Rico, and New Mexico to Minnesota. In addition to thoughtful questions and follow-up comments, attendees shared their appreciation:

• “The presentation and webinar were great! Understanding what you're really after makes the process so much better!”
• “Thank you for hosting this! Feels like a community event!”
• “Thank you, everyone, for the work you're doing on behalf of our communities.”
• “Thank you so much for being so accessible to us potential grantees. It was a more informative webinar than the majority of ones I have attended from much larger foundations.”
• “Definitely lifts my spirits to see all these incredible orgs!”

The webinars were designed not to coach applicants on what to submit, but to ensure they fully understood the Foundation’s goals—especially the importance of proposing specific projects with clear objectives. By clarifying these priorities, the Grants Committee aimed to help organizations submit stronger, more aligned proposals.

This initiative marks an important step in increasing accessibility and engagement with our grants program. We look forward to seeing how these efforts translate into stronger and more innovative project proposals that uplift LGBTQ+ communities across the country.

If you are interested in being part of the grant making process, please contact the Grants Committee Chair at grants@gammamufoundation.org.

Stay tuned for future opportunities to connect and learn more about our work!