Spectators fill the streets of St. Petersburg for the St. Pete Pride Street Festival.
St Pete Pride says it needs to raise at least $289,000 by November 30th to pay remaining expenses from its 2026 Pride celebration and move forward with its 25th anniversary in 2027.
New Board President Trent Brock announced the fundraising goal in a message to the Tampa Bay community, citing reduced sponsorships, rising event costs and unpaid expenses carried over from previous Pride celebrations.
“We’ve already begun planning for next year,” Brock wrote. “But we can’t responsibly continue that work until this year’s Pride is paid for.”
Brock said St Pete Pride entered 2026 still paying expenses from 2025 and that this pattern has continued for several years. Moving forward, he said the organization wants to fully close out each Pride season before starting the next.
The organization says approximately 300,000 people attended Pride Weekend in June. Brock noted that if 12,000 people donated at least $25, the organization would reach its goal.
The fundraising push also comes ahead of SB 1134, a new Florida law taking effect January 1st, 2027, that places restrictions on how local governments can fund and promote diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Brock warned that the organization’s future could be at risk without additional support.
“Without these critical funds, St Pete Pride as we know it could be at risk in 2027,” he wrote.
St Pete Pride is currently accepting donations as it works toward the November 30th deadline. Interested individuals can donate here.
