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Pride Toronto says it’s facing a funding shortfall of roughly $700,000 and expects to run a deficit this year.
The organization’s executive director, Kojo Modeste, is now warning that the shortfall could put a strain on next year’s festival.
“What I’m saying to folks is for 2027, it is going to look very different,” Modeste told CBC Toronto. “We no longer can continue to operate on hope that sponsors and our government will step up to the plate.”
The warning comes just days ahead of a packed Pride weekend in the city, with hundreds of thousands expected to attend events including the Dyke March, Drag Ball, Family Pride programming and Sunday’s Pride Parade.
Festival-goers are unlikely to notice major changes this year, Modeste said, because contracts have already been signed and more than 300 artists are booked. However, discussions have already begun about potential reductions to future programming.
Pride Toronto’s executive director, Kojo Modeste, says discussions have already begun about potential reductions to future festival programming. (Alex Lupul/CBC)
“Staging, the number of artists, the number of events … we’re going to have to relook at how we do this,” Modeste said.
The funding shortfall comes as many Pride organizations warn of declining corporate sponsorships and rising operating costs.
Organizers say some multinational partners, particularly U.S.-based companies, have reduced or paused support amid a broader backlash to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
In response, many Pride organizations – including Pride Toronto and Vancouver Pride Society have called for government intervention. In March, Pride organizers across Canada asked Ottawa for $3 million in annual operational funding, while Ontario groups made a similar request to Queen’s Park in April for a dedicated provincial support fund.
Province says it’s already provided all the funding it can
Kristyn Wong-Tam, MPP for Toronto Centre, told CBC Toronto that request has yet to produce results.
“We thought this was going to be an easy win for the government and unfortunately nothing has transpired, nothing tangible has come out of those discussions and nothing has been offered from the government,” they said.
A statement provided by Ashika Theyyil, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, said the province has provided nearly $4 million in direct funding to Pride organizations across Ontario since 2018. The statement also noted that both Pride Toronto and Capital Pride (Ottawa’s festival) have received the maximum funding available.
The federal government recently announced $3 million over two years through Fierté Canada Pride to help festivals strengthen safety and security measures. The funding is separate from organizers’ requests for operational support.
Organizers for the Green Space Festival – an annual fundraiser for 2SLGBTQ+ non-profit, The 519, that overlaps with the city’s Pride programming – told CBC Toronto they are seeing similar pressures as Pride Toronto.
WATCH | Pride organizations call for dedicated provincial fund to support festivals:
Pride festivals across Ontario requesting additional funding from the province
Pride festivals across Ontario, including Pride Toronto, are calling on the province for additional funding. Pride festivals have been struggling due to funding shortfalls in recent years. Organizers say local businesses will suffer if they are forced to scale back. CBC’s Michelle Song has more.
Dane Bland, head of development at The 519, said the overall sponsorship landscape has been uncertain in recent years.
“There is a shifting landscape among sponsors and among corporate philanthropy in general that we are seeing,” Bland said. “This is a trend that doesn’t just impact 2SLGBTQ+ communities, but it impacts the charitable sector broadly.”
He agreed the most noticeable changes have come from multinational sponsors based in the U.S., while domestic companies have largely remained steady or increased their commitments.
“Our Canadian partners, and our local partners in particular, have stepped up really beautifully this year,” Bland said.
Community fundraising has also played a growing role in filling gaps, he said, with the charity currently running its Love the Lovers campaign aimed at supporting programming and services year-round.
But like Pride Toronto, Bland acknowledged, without corporate sponsorships the Green Space Festival’s programming and scale would be in trouble.
“Without them, yeah, things would have to change,” he said.