The Christopher Hoven Memorial Fund
Our friend Christopher Hoven passed away after a brief, non-Covid-19, illness on Christmas Day. Chris was many things - a wonderful colleague and friend, a generous mentor, a fiercely proud Minnesotan and Norwegian American. He was also proudly LGBTQ+, and he had brought that part of his identity to his more than 30 years working for Members of Congress, including Congressman Tim Penny, Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, and Congressman Adam Schiff.
Congressman Schiff says of Chris, "For more than 30 years working on the Hill, Chris Hoven was a trailblazer for the LGBTQ+ community, helping to found the LGBTQ Staff Association and mentoring countless others seeking to begin or advance their careers. I can think of no better way to honor his life and legacy than supporting the Victory Institute’s Congressional Internship Program which helps give talented young LGBTQ+ students their start on Capitol Hill and on a path towards a career in public service.”
At a time when many LGBTQ+ staffers were uncomfortable or afraid to be out on Capitol Hill, Chris helped blaze a trail for hundreds who have come after him. His door was always open for a meeting with an intern who wanted to learn the ropes or a new scheduler overwhelmed by their tasks, and with his trademark humor, he was always there to help.
As Chris’s friends and coworkers thought about how we could honor his memory and his decades of service, we could think of nothing more appropriate than helping talented LGBTQ+ students get their start in public service. As a result, the Christopher Hoven Memorial Fund was established and will support LGBTQ+ Victory Institute’s Congressional Internship program so that future generations of LGBTQ+ leaders will have the opportunity to come to Capitol Hill and take part in our democracy.
All gifts to this memorial fund will be recognized and gifts $1,000 and above will receive special recognition.
Recognition Levels
Trailblazer: $10,000+
Champion: $5,000 - $9,999
Mentor: $2,500 - $4,999
Advocate: $1,000 - $2,499
Supporter: $1 - $999
About the Victory Congressional Internship
The Victory Congressional Internship (VCI) is an 8-week program that develops the next generation of out public leaders. Each semester, VCI brings outstanding LGBTQ+ undergraduate students to Washington, D.C., for an intensive leadership program including a Congressional internship with a member of the LGBT Equality Caucus or an LGBTQ-friendly member of U.S. Congress to learn firsthand about the federal legislative process and; an educational and leadership development program to learn about careers in policy-making as well as engaging with subject-matter experts across the various working sectors.
In December, alumni will attend Victory Institute’s annual International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference for three days of training, skills building, networking and discussion alongside hundreds of openly LGBTQ+ leaders in government, politics, advocacy, business and community organizations.
Contribution rules
- This contribution is made from my own funds or the funds of an authorizing corporation or other entity, and the funds are not being provided by any other person or entity.
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