Arlene and Somjen

In It for the Long Haul: Arlene and Somjen

Arlene Bronstein is a 60-year-old lung-cancer survivor and retired law firm records manager. Somjen Frazer is a 27-year-old research and evaluation consultant for progressive non-profits and half of the comedy duo Mustache Clowns. What do they have in common? Astraea, for one. Both are expressing their strong commitment to LGBTI arts and activism around the globe by making a contribution every month. For decades, Arlene, Somjen and donors like them have been integral parts of Astraea’s success.

“I’m a quiet donor,” Arlene said. Though modest about her impact, Arlene has been a monthly sustainer for nearly three decades. It adds up. Over the years, Arlene has given more than $20,000.

“At first, I liked that Astraea was the only charity devoted to lesbian issues, though that was not openly stated. Of course, it was also the connection to Margot Karle.” Margot and Arlene became immediate and life-long best friends in high school. Later, Margot became a lawyer and provided pro bono legal work for Astraea when it was founded, remaining an ardent supporter. After she passed away, Arlene began making contributions in her memory.

“Now there are other lesbian charities,” Arlene said, “but in my mind, Astraea still is the most diverse regarding the community it deals with. Astraea interprets ‘community’ in the widest possible sense.”

Arlene and donors like her have helped insure the growth and impact of Astraea, from a small regional foundation granting just $6,000 in the first year to an international force for change, distributing $2.2 million last year to LGBTI activists working for human rights worldwide.

Recently, Somjen Frazer joined Arlene and the community of donors pooling their resources for substantial and sustainable change.

Somjen acted on her commitment to Astraea’s impact around the world by writing her monthly $100 donation into her consulting firm’s business plan. She said of her gift, “I love the idea of giving monthly, rather than annually or just when I’m asked. I grew up in a Southern Baptist community, where tithing 10 percent of your income to the church is the standard. Giving monthly is being thoughtful about what the opposition is doing and what we can do to match that.”

“I like Astraea because it believes in taking chances on groups that otherwise won’t get funded,” Somjen said. “Astraea helps me because I’m not in position to decide which groups to give to. Astraea has a decision-making model—utilizing the expertise of community activists—that I can trust.”

Astraea’s growing core of monthly donors provides dependable support throughout the year. Monthly gifts provide a consistent way to support feminist social justice work around the globe and can provide an opportunity to give even more by breaking the gift into installments. “Giving monthly makes it easier to give a substantial amount of money,” Arlene said. “I want to be able to give as much as I can because I support the mission.”