Pride Month is a time to celebrate love, diversity, and the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights. It’s also an excellent opportunity to support LGBTQ+ communities through fundraising campaigns. In this blog, we’ll cover our top 10 fundraising ideas to make your Pride Month 2024 impactful and memorable.
What We’ll Learn
- What Is Pride Month?
- Our 10 Top Fundraising Ideas for Pride Month
- Virtual Pride Parade
- Pride Merchandise Sales
- Charity Concert
- Pride Run/Walk-a-thon
- LGBTQ+ Art Show
- Drag Show Fundraiser
- Pride Picnic or BBQ
- Inclusive Book Fair
- Pride Month Online Auction
- Educational Workshops and Seminars
- Final Thoughts on Celebrating Pride Month Events
What Is Pride Month?
Celebrated in June each year, Pride Month celebrates a world where everyone, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, can be proud of who they are. Instead of feeling shame and non-acceptance, members of the LGBTQ+ community and friends share their pride and love of diversity during this powerful month.
The Pride Month movement emerged following the June 1969 Stonewall riots at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. The first Gay Pride parades were held on the anniversary of Stonewall, on June 28, 1970.
Gay and Lesbian Pride Month was originally declared by American President Bill Clinton in 1999. Since then, the movement has become more inclusive to embrace members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Our 10 Top Fundraising Ideas for Pride Month
Virtual Pride Parade
Organize a virtual Pride parade where participants can join from anywhere in the world. Charge a small registration fee and encourage participants to share their journey, costumes, and stories. Live-stream the event and collect donations during the broadcast.
Virtual parades offer an inclusive way for people to participate regardless of location or physical ability. Promote the event on social media and use hashtags to increase visibility. Consider seeking and collaborating with influencers to reach a wider audience.
Pride Merchandise Sales
Create and sell Pride-themed merchandise such as t-shirts, mugs, flags, and bracelets. Collaborate with local artists to design unique items and donate a portion of the proceeds to a favorite LGBTQ+ charity. Set up a free Simple Store to sell merch online. Consider making or finding limited-edition items to create urgency and boost sales. Additionally, partnering with local businesses for in-store sales can expand your reach.
Charity Concert
Host a charity concert featuring local bands and artists who support LGBTQ+ rights. Sell tickets for the event and offer virtual attendance options for those who can’t attend in person. Partner with popular local performers to draw a larger crowd and raise more funds.
Consider holding the concert in an outside park or well-known venue and providing a mix of performances to appeal to a broad audience. Offering exclusive VIP and backstage passes can also increase fundraising.
Pride Run/Walk-a-thon
Organize a Pride run or walk-a-thon fundraiser in your community. Participants can register individually or in teams and raise funds through sponsor donations. Create a vibrant, rainbow-themed route and offer prizes for the top fundraisers and best costumes. Promote the event through local gyms, schools, and community centers.
Providing participants with personalized fundraising pages can help them track their progress and motivate them to raise more.
Learn how to organize a walk–a–thon.
LGBTQ+ Art Show
Host an art show featuring works by LGBTQ+ artists and friends. Artists can sell items, and your organization can host a silent auction with some top art pieces to raise funds. This campaign will support artists and raise awareness about LGBTQ+ issues through creative expression. Partner with local galleries and art schools to find talented artists. In addition, organizing workshops or talks with the artists can enhance the event’s appeal.
Drag Show Fundraiser
Drag shows are always entertaining and can be a great way to raise money. Host a drag show at a local venue and sell tickets online in advance. Collaborate with well-known drag performers to attract a larger audience. Consider a hybrid or virtual option for wider participation. Offering VIP experiences, such as pre-show meet and greets or front-row seating, can boost ticket sales.
Pride Picnic or BBQ
Organize a community picnic or BBQ with a Pride theme. Charge a fee for attendance and offer fun activities like face painting, cornhole and lawn games, and live music. Seek sponsorship from local businesses for food and beverage donations to maximize funds raised. Choose a scenic location and create a festive atmosphere with decorations and entertainment. Providing family-friendly activities can attract a diverse crowd.
Additionally, offering raffle ticket sales or hosting a silent auction can increase funds raised during the event.
Need more ideas? See Our 100+ Fundraising Ideas!
Inclusive Book Fair
Host a book fair featuring LGBTQ+ authors and literature. Invite authors for readings and signings. Charge a small entry fee and donate a portion of book sales to support LGBTQ+ initiatives. Offer both physical and virtual participation options. Work with local bookstores or your library to organize the event.
Provide a mix of genres and topics to appeal to everyone. Additionally, offering educational panels or discussions can enhance the event’s value.
Pride Month Online Auction
Collect donations of goods and services from local businesses and host a Pride Month auction. Items can range from gift certificates and vacation packages to unique experiences. Offering exclusive or high-value items can attract more bidders and increase fundraising.
Promote the auction widely to ensure maximum participation and funds raised. Our auction platform can be used to reach a wide audience and help your organization raise more. Supporters place bids online and get text messages and emails when they are outbid. It’s easy and fun!
Educational Workshops and Seminars
Offer workshops or seminars on LGBTQ+ issues, history, and rights. Charge a registration fee and invite knowledgeable speakers to share their expertise. These events can be held in person or virtually, making them accessible to a larger audience. Provide various topics and formats to appeal to different interests and learning styles. If your organization has the expertise, offering certification or continuing education credits can attract professionals and students.
Final Thoughts on Celebrating Pride Month Events
Fundraising during Pride Month not only supports vital LGBTQ+ causes but also brings communities together in celebration and solidarity. Your organization can make a meaningful impact this Pride Month by implementing one or more of these fundraising ideas. Remember to leverage social media, local partnerships, and online platforms like DoJiggy to reach a broader audience and maximize your fundraising efforts.
Let’s make Pride Month 2024 a time of giving and celebration! Plan your events, gather your community, and raise funds for the most important causes. DoJiggy is here to help you turn your passion into impactful action. Together, we can create a more inclusive and supportive world for everyone.
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