LOS ANGELES, April 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Point Foundation (Point), the nation's largest scholarship granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students of merit, today announced that it raised over $460,000 at its annual Point Honors – New York fundraising gala held at Capitale in New York on April 4, hosted by Kelly Ripa and Sam Champion. The contributions came from corporate sponsorships, table and ticket sales, as well as items sold during the live auction. An additional $100,000 donation was given to support a Point Named Scholarship.

Iman and Isaac Mizrahi presented the Point Courage Award to Bravo's Andy Cohen, which recognizes an individual who has advocated for the future of the LGBT community and lives with the vision that investing in today's potential will produce a brighter tomorrow. Cohen, who thanked his mother for her continued encouragement and support, said, "It is the Point scholars who are the real courageous ones."

Johnson & Johnson received the Point Inspiration Award, which honors a corporation that champions respect and inclusion of the LGBT community, and operates with the vision that the success achieved by talented young people is limited only by the resources and opportunities they are given to help them fulfill their potential. MSNBC's Thomas Roberts presented the Point Inspiration Award to Johnson & Johnson.

Margarethe "Grethe" Cammermeyer, former colonel in the Washington National Guard and gay rights advocate, received the Point Legend Award, which recognizes a person an individual who has, through the course of their lifetime, achieved greatness in their professional career and unapologetically supported the LGBT community. Surprise guest and three-time Emmy winner, Glenn Close (who portrayed Cammermeyer in the 1995 film "Serving in Silence") presented the award to Cammermeyer, alongside Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. 

Additional participants included Sandra Bernhard, Marsha Thomason ("White Collar") and Seth Rudetsky (Sirius/XM).  Gala attendees included Judith Light, Mark Consuelos and Teresa Guidice ("Real Housewives of New Jersey"). Grammy winner Rob Thomas performed hit singles "3 a.m." and "Ever The Same."  Additional performers included Broadway stars, Kerry Butler who sang "Fly Fly Away" from "Catch Me If You Can," and Montego Glover, who performed "Colored Woman" from "Memphis."

Students who are awarded the organization's prestigious scholarships, known as Point Scholars, are selected through a rigorous and highly competitive process that requires a track record of demonstrated academic excellence, leadership skills and financial need. A number of Point Scholars attended the benefit.

Presenting sponsor was Motorola Mobility.  Premier Sponsors included Audi, HBO, PricewaterhouseCoopers, WalMart and Wells Fargo.  Principal Sponsors are Bumble and bumble, Mary Ellen Marziale & Richard Ziegelasch and Time Warner.  Media Sponsors are Logo TV, MetroSource and Next Magazine.

About Point Foundation

Point Foundation (Point) is the nation's largest scholarship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students of merit. Point provides financial support, leadership training, mentoring and hope to LGBT individuals who are marginalized because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Point provides its scholars with the financial ability to attend the nation's foremost higher educational institutions and its donors and mentors with the rare satisfaction of directly investing their resources and time in future generations of leaders.

For more information about Point Foundation, please visit www.pointfoundation.org. Point Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) organization.

Media Contact:
Jerry J. Sharell
Point Foundation
323.933.1234, x228
jerry@pointfoundation.org

Gerritt Hoekman
Edelman PR for Point Foundation
323.202.1895
Gerritt.hoekman@edelman.com

SOURCE Point Foundation