ABOUT SBT

MISSION

Springfield Black Tie is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting local charities that serve the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus (LGBTQ+) community throughout southwest Missouri. Through its fundraising efforts, including its annual gala, SBT has awarded more than $2.5 million in grants to a diverse range of local beneficiaries since 2003.

This impact is made possible through the generous support of national and local corporations, businesses, and individual donors. Springfield Black Tie is committed to maximizing its impact by returning as much of the money raised as possible directly to the local organizations it serves.

CORE VALUES

INTEGRITY
We advocate with honesty, authenticity, and respect, remaining true to our commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and the organizations that serve it.

INCLUSION
We believe everyone deserves to be welcomed, valued, celebrated, and empowered to live authentically, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

COLLABORATION
We strengthen our community by fostering partnerships, building connections, and working together to create lasting opportunities and meaningful change for LGBTQ+ individuals throughout southwest Missouri.

STEWARDSHIP
We are committed to ensuring that the generosity of our community creates the greatest possible impact by responsibly investing resources in organizations that advance the well-being, safety, and future of the LGBTQ+ community.

HISTORY

Springfield Black Tie traces its roots to 2003, when a dedicated group of community leaders came together with a shared vision: to create a fundraising event that would support organizations serving southwest Missouri’s LGBTQ+ community. The inaugural Black Tie Affair was hosted by FOCUS, Inc., which organized the event during its first five years. In 2008, the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of the Ozarks assumed leadership of the event, continuing its growth and community impact. In March 2009, the organization incorporated as Springfield Black Tie, Inc., establishing an independent nonprofit dedicated to expanding its mission and increasing support for local charities.

Over the past two decades, Springfield Black Tie has grown from an event with just over 100 attendees to one of southwest Missouri’s largest annual charitable fundraisers, bringing together over 1,000 supporters, businesses, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners each year. Along the way, the organization has continually expanded both the number of nonprofit beneficiaries it serves and the financial resources it provides to strengthen the LGBTQ+ community throughout the region.

Today, Springfield Black Tie is recognized as one of the region’s premier charitable organizations supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Since its founding, it has awarded more than $2.5 million in grants to local nonprofit organizations that provide advocacy, education, healthcare, social services, the arts, youth programming, and other essential resources. Guided by the generosity of its donors and sponsors, Springfield Black Tie remains committed to investing in organizations that create a stronger, more inclusive southwest Missouri for all.