Lambda Legal today announced the establishment of the Daniel H. Renberg Legal Fellowship endowed through a $1 million gift by Eugene Kapaloski in honor of his deceased husband and in celebration of the civil rights organization’s 45th anniversary.
“In honor of my husband’s legacy, we are pleased to offer this contribution to help Lambda Legal continue fighting for the rights of LGBTQ people. Lambda Legal is our community’s most effective defender,” said Eugene Kapaloski, Daniel’s partner for over 53 years. “My husband was deeply committed to LGBTQ rights and would be more than proud to support the extraordinary and historic work Lambda Legal is doing.”
Daniel H. Renberg was a California businessman, financier and philanthropist. After serving in the U.S. Army and earning degrees from Northwestern and Harvard, he moved to Los Angeles in 1958. He worked as a stockbroker before establishing Renberg Capital Management in 1964. Renberg and Kapaloski are longtime supporters of Lambda Legal, as well as a number of other local and national organizations committed to improving the lives of LGBTQ people.
“We are deeply grateful for the generosity of Eugene Kapaloski, who has put his faith in our organization to honor and continue his husband’s legacy. This wonderful gift will have a powerful impact in our communities for many years to come. We are proud to honor Daniel Renberg’s legacy through our pursuit of equality and justice for all LGBTQ people and for everyone living with HIV,” said Anne Krook, Chair of Lambda Legal Board of Directors.
“Lambda Legal has been able to keep winning in court throughout the decades because of the generous contributions of thousands of people across the country. Today, our work as one of the most effective LGBTQ legal advocacy organizations in the country continues thanks to gifts like this one that support the successful work of our staff,” added Richard Burns, Lambda Legal Interim CEO.
The Daniel H. Renberg Legal Fellowship will be based in Lambda Legal’s Western Regional Office in Los Angeles. The generous $1 million gift will fund the fellowship over the next decade, a fellowship that will focus on strengthening and expanding Lambda Legal’s commitment to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of LGBT people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. The Renberg Fellow will work closely with Lambda Legal attorneys, conducting legal research and analysis for amicus briefs, reports, policy recommendations and other projects.
On Nov. 1, 2018, Lambda Legal begins accepting Daniel H. Renberg Legal Fellowship applications.