Unearth the history of Pride Month and how your organization can join the movement with a dynamic fundraiser.
Pride Month Origins and Importance
“Equality is won in the hearts and minds of the community, where it counts.” – American activist, Barbara Gittings.
The Pride Month movement emerged following the historical 1969 Stonewall riots – at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. Fighting what seemed to be endless sexual orientation discrimination, patrons and allies protested for six days for human rights and equality. The march was emblematic of pride in unity, diversity, and a deep desire for acceptance.
On the one-year anniversary of the event, the community once again marched from the Stonewall Inn to the iconic New York City’s, Central Park. This would ignite the movement of liberation, pride, and self-expression that we still celebrate today.
“Gay & Lesbian Pride Month” was officially and originally declared by American President, Bill Clinton, in 1999.
Where Community Meets Movement
The American community emulates this important movement of equality as we come together annually to celebrate pride month in June.
The month of June is derived from “Juno”, the Roman Goddess of marriage. It is no coincidence that we come together at this time to commemorate the notion of togetherness and unity in love for the LGBTQ+ community.
It’s a time to celebrate divine love in all its forms and colors. In a world constantly fighting friction and conflict, we can acclaim those who are choosing love at the forefront. In this blog, we are highlighting ways your LGTBQ+-led organization or nonprofit can support this passage of togetherness.
So don’t miss out – let’s get fundraising!
Be proud of your Pride Month Fundraiser
There is an abundance of ways that you can raise awareness and create change this Pride Month. Keep reading for fantastic yet simple pride month fundraising ideas that you can use as inspiration as we head toward this month of egalitarianism, love, and equality.
1. Sing-A-Popular-Song A-Thon
The classic A-Thon fundraiser is a stunning and effective way of raising funds for your given cause. There is a reason it is so popular amongst the giving community – it has a dual purpose – it actually raises money and is fun!
And, let’s be honest – who doesn’t love to belt out their favorite song when in great company and for a great initiative?
Find the right fundraising platform that will walk you through an easy A-Thon setup while allowing you to fully customize the experience to meet your Pride Month theme (oh yes – we absolutely recommend a theme that will draw the crowds to your event).
A quick tip: encourage your attendees to bring their favorite song of choice and we suggest having a playbook of songs we all know and love on standby.
2. Reverse-Raffle off a popular prize
Get ready for a fundraising event like no other! This one is epic because it takes the most popular fundraising activity (AKA – the Raffle) and spins it on its head (or in reverse as the name suggests).
With a reverse Raffle, you sell tickets just like a regular Raffle, but the excitement is taken to the next level. How, you ask? It’s simple – instead of drawing winners, you’ll draw numbers throughout the night. The lucky person whose number is not called out at the end of your event will be the ultimate champion.
It’s suspenseful and thrilling, and it’s not the average run-of-the-mill Raffle.
3. Livestream an important “Pride Talk”
The community truly comes together to celebrate Pride Month, its history, and its importance. There is still so much to be learned when it comes to this movement.
Hosting a Livestream offers a safe space where supporters can come together, discuss, and learn all the fine details of the Pride movement. You can invite esteemed speakers and activists to your event and it could be a more formal panel or a more relaxed “Pride Talk” (like a Ted Talk but you give your community a say). The speaker can open the floor to questions and discussion once they are done.
The beautiful thing about a Livestream event is that it allows everyone to gather, no matter where they are. This takes away the pressure of your supporters having to attend an in-person event and gives your attendees the option to even remain anonymous during the event if they so wish.
4. Movie Night but make it “Docu-tastic”
The movie night is a true classic and a great excuse for indulgence (popcorn, coke, and candy anyone?). There is an array of possibilities when it comes to an event like this, as it can be in-person, virtual, or hybrid.
You could invite your community to a local space that will screen your film favorite, host it with a Livestream while your supporters get cozy on their couch, or both! And what’s even better is you can go beyond the realm of “Oh! This is a fantastic film” and screen a documentary around Pride Month instead. This way you are raising awareness while selling movie tickets – sounds like a fabulous fundraiser!
5. Dream Night at the Museum
A night at the museum is a perfect Pride Month Fundraiser Idea. This event will bring together members of the LGBTQ+ community and supporters to explore your local museum – and the best part is that it can be after hours (sounds exclusive!).
Now, this museum could be centered around the history of Pride Month and Gay Rights, if you have such a Museum in your area, or it could be a classic celebration of history altogether. In the case of the latter, you could include educational activities, special exhibits, and even interesting talks that bring us back home to our theme.
Sell your event tickets online and use social sharing options to really get the word out about your event.
A quick tip: offer guests the chance to purchase tickets for a private guided tour given by one of the museum’s experts and raise even more for your cause.
6. Peer-to-Peer like a Boss
It’s Peer-to-Peer fundraising -but with a BOSS mentality (which basically just means you are sure to succeed)! This (yes we are going to say it) revolutionary approach to raising funds during Pride Month allows your entire community to get involved.
Get started by setting up a campaign page! This is where you create a unique URL that your supporters can share with everyone they know. Get your friends, family, and colleagues involved and encourage them to donate to your cause.
Once your campaign page is up and running, it’s time to spread the word. Share it on social media, send it out in emails, and don’t forget about text messaging (also known as text-to-give)! With a simple text, your supporters can easily donate to your campaign.
With supporters empowered to share your cause far and wide, there’s no limit to the impact you can make.
7. Trivia “Oh! You thought you knew” Night
Hosting an LGBTQ+ trivia night is a fun and interactive event that can be hosted virtually or in person, allowing you to reach a wide range of people to support your cause.
To get started, create a series of questions related to the LGBTQ+ community. These can include historical moments, influential individuals, and other important topics.
The goal of this Pride Month Fundraiser is to create an engaging and educational environment that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community. To facilitate this, use questions related to the community for a fun and interactive way to raise money.
Questions can range from easy like “What year did Stonewall occur?” to harder questions like “Who were the first two openly gay elected officials in the United States?”
Charge an entry fee for each player, and reward the winning team with a prize. You can also offer Raffle tickets to participants who donate more money or have this as an added fundraiser during your trivia night.
8. Dress up day @the office
Want to run a corporate Pride Month fundraiser? Get your office ready to strut their stuff and show support with a fun dress-up in their most fabulous, rainbow-inspired outfits. All proceeds can go towards a charity of your choosing.
This is the perfect way to make a difference while all looking and feeling fierce.
A quick tip: we highly recommend prizes for the most creatively dressed employee or team!
To make sure everyone understands the purpose of the event, you could also have a short presentation or discussion about Pride Month and its importance. This can help create an inclusive space for everyone to feel comfortable expressing themselves and getting to know their colleagues better.
You could also offer an additional donation option for those who don’t want to participate in the contest but still want to show their support. For a more interactive experience, you could encourage employees to create a video or photo montage of their outfits and share it on social media. This would be the perfect place for that famous “let’s have a kiki” hashtag!
9. The beloved school “Hooray! It’s non-uniform day!”
A school “non-uniform day” is a great way for schools to designate one day during Pride Month to support this initiative and educate the school body! Students and staff could be encouraged to dress in their favorite colors of the rainbow to show support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Schools can ask that all participants make a donation to participate in this day. As an added bonus, your school may even offer prizes or awards for the most creative or colorful outfit.
And why settle for one fundraising activity when you could run many? Host a school art Auction and work with local artists to create unique pieces that showcase the diversity of the community. Participants can bid on these items and all proceeds from the Auction can be donated to your Pride Month charity of choice.
Schools could also organize a Pride parade to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and raise money for the fundraiser at the same time. Schools can charge an admission fee for people to join in on the festivities, or they can ask that attendees make general donations.
Now all that’s left to do is find the only fundraising solution on the market that lets you mix and match all these activities like no other (hint hint, follow the link!).
10. Payroll Giving Like a Pro
In the world of corporate fundraising ideas – you just hit the jackpot!
Get ready to level up your team’s giving game with a little something we like to call “Payroll Giving”! Transform the way your employees give back by seamlessly managing their charitable contributions straight from their salaries. This is a sure way to multiply impact while saving more money in your employee’s pockets.
As an added bonus – this will help your employees make a difference every month without even thinking about it. A payroll donation program allows your workforce to choose their favorite charity or fund and automatically deduct a designated amount from their paycheck. You can give as little or as much as you want, and the best part? All donations are tax-deductible!
Start this initiative this Pride Month and have a reason to celebrate each year with the overall company donations made!
Don’t have time to fundraise but want to donate?
Pride Month is just around the corner and we get it – you don’t have the time to set up a fundraiser. But before we get into some epic foundations and causes you can donate to, consider this.
At RallyUp can quickly and easily set up a full fundraiser in minutes (yes minutes) with the latest release of Instant Fundraising Templates. These are fundraisers that are all set up and ready for you to plug in a few custom details and send live.
These fundraising assistants take the scary and time out of creating the perfect fundraiser and will have your fundraiser launched faster than you could say “That can’t be true!”
Now, if you are finding yourself wanting to support a great Pride Month cause – here are a few that could truly use your donation!
1. Lambda Legal
Lambda Legal has been protecting LGBTQ+ rights and those diagnosed with HIV for over 50 years. This is a team of pro-bono lawyers who fight for justice and have won many civil rights cases. They also work hard to advance public policy and education. Their clients are not charged any fees and all donations fund their work, so every donation truly makes a huge difference.
2. Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network
The Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network connects student-run GSAs across the country. GSAs are safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and allies and are also vehicles for social change. Donating to this network helps train youth leaders, fund campaigns, and organize GSAs across the country. You can also join your local GSA if you’re still a student!
3. Pride Foundation
The Pride Foundation was founded in 1985 and provides support and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. Donations help fund financial and community support, education, and legislative initiatives. If you would like to do more than just donate, volunteers are always welcome (and currently needed in their Seattle office and regional committees).
4. Family Equality Council
The Family Equality Council supports LGBTQ+ families by developing policies, raising awareness, and providing resources through donations. Simply visit their website and send in your donation to help these families.
5. The Attic Youth Center
The Attic Youth Center in Philadelphia is a big community center for LGBTQ+ youth and allies. It’s free and offers counseling, case management, and social activities. Donations are of course encouraged and appreciated.
6. Center for Black Equity
The Center for Black Equity is a prominent organization that focuses on promoting Black LGBTQ+ equality. One of its strengths is its ability to connect with communities and prioritize their issues. This is definitely a great cause to give to!
7. The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is an organization that provides crisis interventions in real-time for LGBTQ+ youth under 25. They offer lifelines, chats, and texts to ensure the safety of those who reach out. Donations are welcomed to support the 24-hour availability of their services.
8. Sylvia Rivera Law Project
The Sylvia Rivera Law Project provides legal aid to low-income transgender, intersex, and gender non-conforming people of color who live in New York City. The project was named after Sylvia Rivera, an LGBTQ+ advocate who was active advocate during a period where being visibly different often led to harassment or worse.
9. Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign addresses a wide range of issues, including LGBTQ+ rights and HIV/AIDS awareness. As a large organization, supporting HRC through its various initiatives and raising awareness is the most effective way to contribute.
10. Audre Lorde Project
The Audre Lorde Project is a New York City community center for LGBTQ+ individuals. This project offers programs centered around education, employment, and immigration. Visit their web page to donate and support their community.
No matter what type of fundraiser you choose to run or join for Pride Month, you are part of a movement that celebrates and honors the worth, value, and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. There is no wrong way to raise funds during this significant month, so feel free to get creative with your ideas!
Now that you are well-versed in the upcoming month of love – what’s left to do, but begin? Find the right fundraising solution that will put every bit of vibrant color in your fundraiser.
“The richness, beauty, and depths of love can only be fully experienced in a climate of complete openness, honesty, and vulnerability.” – Anthony Venn Brown, Australian author.
