Long Beach Pride Shares an Update on Community Grants

We’ve heard questions from our community about our grant program, and we want to answer them openly. We welcome every chance to work with organizations and individuals across the LGBTQ+ community, especially those serving LGBTQ+ youth.

In 2018 we celebrate 35 years of producing one of the largest two-day festivals and parades of its kind. Giving back has been part of that work for decades. We were the first nonprofit in the City of Long Beach to award grants and scholarships from a portion of our event proceeds, and in 1993 we designated $300,000 for community grants. Over the years we’ve provided funding and other resources to organizations such as California Families in Focus (CFF).

Our work doesn’t stop with the festival. We provide low-income housing for LGBTQ+ community members and run an annual Christmas Toy Drive. This past holiday season, more than 500 teens and children received toys, gift cards, a free lunch and a family photo with Santa. These efforts all serve our mission of inclusion.

We work hard to keep all of this going, but our resources are not unlimited.

Why We Paused Grants in 2017

Producing the festival and parade looks very different than it did five to 10 years ago. After the economic downturn and a series of new regulations, we rebuilt how we manage both events from the ground up.

In 2017 our Board of Directors filled all five stages with talented DJs and popular, award-winning entertainers, so the lineup better reflected the growing diversity of LGBTQ+ Long Beach. It was our smoothest event yet. It was also a significant investment. The large volunteer corps of past years had a smaller presence at the festival, and partner organizations, CFF among them, were compensated for their time as they had been before.

Updated City of Long Beach policies and standards for the event changed our operations too. The largest new costs came from outsourcing roles that volunteers once filled, revenue-sharing requirements and added security to keep every participant safe at the parade and festival. Taken together, these structural changes meant the 2017 event lost money.

To be ready for higher operating costs in 2018, the board temporarily suspended 2017 grant funding until the 2018 budget was final. In 35 years, we had never done that. It wasn’t a decision we took lightly, but it was the responsible one. Because of it, and because our community kept showing up for us, we will resume grant funding in 2018.

Our Commitment to Youth

Supporting LGBTQ+ youth, our future leaders, has always been part of who we are. It’s why we created Teen Pride, and it’s why the Family Fun Zone is part of every festival. With the help of our partner, the Port of Long Beach, whose support has been invaluable, we’ve welcomed thousands of young people and their families.

Working Together With CFF

We have supported CFF and its founder, Angel Macias, since the organization began. For more than four years we’ve provided office space rent- and utility-free, along with annual funding for its mission. 2017 was the first year we could not fund CFF, or any of the organizations we usually support.

We hear CFF’s concerns, and we take them to heart. We would welcome a direct conversation to explain the circumstances behind our decisions and find ways to work together for our community.

As we plan the 2018 festival and parade, we’re committed to communicating better with the whole community. The dedication of our volunteer members, corporate sponsors, vendors and neighbors is what lets us put on a world-class event in Long Beach every year. Thank you for your support. Our door is always open, and we’re glad to answer your questions.

Media inquiries: info@longbeachpride.com