Pride organizers across the United States are facing major financial troubles as corporate sponsors pull back support, with Seattle among the latest cities to announce a massive budget shortfall. Seattle Pride revealed a $350,000 funding gap for its 2025 events, forcing organizers to turn to grassroots donations to keep the celebrations alive.
Seattle Pride Executive Director Patti Hearn blamed shifting corporate priorities for the shortfall, admitting that sponsorships have dropped off significantly. Hearn emphasized a pivot to “community empowerment” and “radical mutual aid” after companies hesitated to renew their commitments.
Seattle Pride, a nonprofit group that organizes the Seattle Pride Parade and other year-round events, said the funding loss puts critical parts of its programs at risk. The parade typically draws around 300,000 attendees annually, making it one of the largest Pride events in the country.
The financial collapse in Seattle mirrors struggles elsewhere. San Francisco Pride lost $1.3 million in sponsorships after companies like Comcast, Anheuser-Busch, Benefit Cosmetics, and Diageo pulled their support. San Francisco Pride’s Executive Director Suzanne Ford blamed what she described as growing national opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, particularly after President Donald Trump’s executive orders ending DEI policies for federal workers and contractors.
Pride St. Louis also announced financial problems after Anheuser-Busch ended a 30-year sponsorship. The group launched a grassroots fundraising effort called 45for45 to fill a $150,000 shortfall. Organizers warned that while a festival will still happen, it will look much different from past years.
Industry experts say corporate America is retreating from Pride sponsorships after major financial losses tied to consumer backlash. Companies like Target and Bud Light faced heavy boycotts last year after pushing controversial campaigns, leading many brands to scale back LGBTQ-themed promotions.
Pink Media President Matt Skallerud confirmed the shift, saying many brands have chosen to “sit on the sidelines” rather than risk alienating customers. Neil Saunders, Managing Director at GlobalData, added that companies are trying to walk a tightrope, promoting Pride only in ways they believe will not provoke widespread backlash.
As financial pressures mount, Pride organizers across the country are discovering that the corporate support they once relied on is no longer guaranteed.
