Calgary Pride is calling on the community, local businesses, corporate partners and allies for immediate support as we face significant financial challenges that have put our future at risk.
In the weeks ahead, Calgary Pride is seeking to raise $250,000 in community support to help deliver the 2026 Calgary Pride Festival and strengthen the organization’s financial position as it heads toward 2027. Like many queer-serving organizations, Calgary Pride is operating in an increasingly difficult funding environment. Grant funding has become more limited and competitive. Corporate sponsorships are harder to secure. At the same time, the costs associated with creating safe, accessible and meaningful spaces for Calgary’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community remain significant.
In 2025, we recognized the funding landscape was shifting. We adjusted our budget and modified how the festival is delivered, to make Calgary Pride more sustainable. Even with these modifications, we cannot make up for the significant losses in funding. While many circumstances have been outside our control, we must also own the decisions we made as an organization, learn from them and make changes where necessary.
“Our goal has always been the longevity and growth of Calgary Pride. Last year, we started to see declining support, so we budgeted accordingly and prepared for a decrease, but the drop has been catastrophic. This year, we’re not only experiencing financial strain. We’re also feeling the impact of declining support, which is a reality for many queer organizations across the province and the country,” said Riley Sogge, Co-Chair of Calgary Pride.
The Calgary Pride Board is actively reviewing every aspect of the organization. We are reducing costs, making difficult decisions about future programming and events, evaluating our funding model and organizational structure. Nothing is off the table. Unfortunately, we have had to make some difficult decisions about cancelling post-Pride events including Indigo Nights, our inaugural gala, which was previously postponed. At this time, we are not planning additional programming beyond Pride Week until we secure additional funding.
How Calgarians can help
- Make a direct contribution as an individual to Calgary Pride.
- Buy Calgary Pride 50/50 tickets and enter for an opportunity to win a WestJet travel package.
- Buy tickets to Pride on the Island featuring Trixie Mattel on September 5.
- Talk to your employer. Encourage your company or organization to donate to Calgary Pride.
- Ensure outstanding invoices are paid.
- Share our message.
This appeal is about more than delivering one weekend of Pride. We are reaching out to our community, to our allies, and to all those who love the arts, education and Pride.
If Calgary Pride does not receive additional funding, we will not be able to continue operating past the 2026 Pride Festival and Parade.
This is a call to action.
To support Calgary Pride and learn more, visit calgarypride.ca/donate.
Media inquiries can be directed to Riley Sogge, Co-Chair, and Andrea Scheelar, Director, via board@calgarypride.ca
About: Calgary Pride is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to celebrating and advancing the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Calgary through events, advocacy, and education, including the annual Calgary Pride Parade and Festival.
