The Gilana Shira Alpert Fund was established through the Community Foundation for Muskegon County in 2007. It was created shortly after Gilana Alpert passed away in November of that year at the age of 26 due to a reaction to prescription medications. In the four short years since its inception, the Fund has reached over $20,000. This money goes to support causes that Gilana felt passionately about; to continue the work that she wasn't able to complete. Those causes are theatre education and outreach, Holocaust awareness, equality advocacy, and sex education.

It is the intention of the fund to carry on the work that Gilana started,

and to inspire those who benefit from it.

CLICK HERE to donate online!

Past Recipients

Theatre for Young Audiences/USA is a national service organization whose mission is to promote the power of professional theatre for young audiences through excellence, collaboration and innovation across cultural and international boundaries.  Founded in 1965 as ASSITEJ/USA, TYA/USA is the only theatre organization in the United States which has the development of professional theatre for young audiences and international exchange as its primary mandates. 

“Gilana’s passion for Theatre and education will continue to touch and

empower other young artists such as herself through this donation.”

The Kinsey Institue at Indiana University works towards advancing sexual health and knowledge worldwide. For over 60 years, the institute has been a trusted source for investigating and informing the world about critical issues in sex, gender and reproduction. 

“We appreciate the passion with which Gilana lived her life and your commitment to both her memory and the causes she believed in. Your gift is both a kind tribute to Gilana, and a benefit to the future of the institute.  The Kinsey Institute stands strong in pursuit of our mission to advance sexual health and knowledge worldwide. We recognize and welcome the unique position the institute holds, and the responsibility it bears. Please accept our sincere appreciation for your gift.  Everyone at The Kinsey Institute wishes the Gilana Shira Alpert Fund good fortune as you continue the work that Gilana wasn't able to complete.”

Howard Brown Health Center, based in Chicago, is one of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) healthcare organizations. With an annual budget of over $18 million, the agency serves more than 36,000 adults and youth each year.  Its diverse health and social service delivery system focuses around the following programmatic divisions: primary medical care, behavioral health, research, HIV/STD prevention, case management, social services, youth services, older adult services, and community initiatives. 

Shoah Remembrance Committee of Muskegon, specifically to help sponsor a child’s participation in their program, “The Journey.”  “The Journey” is a year-long program for 8th grade students from various ethnic, religious and socio- economic backgrounds who study the Holocaust and the root causes of hatred, discrimination, and violence.

“It is with great thankfulness that the Shoah Remembrance Committee of Muskegon receives the donation from Gilana's Fund to be used toward the commemoration of the Holocaust and community based educational work on the Holocaust in the Muskegon area.  It is with a joyful heart that we remember Gilana whose life touched so many people in Muskegon with her music, her singing, her presence and her love of people.”