Pride Fest receives $80K in funding for programs and services

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The arrival of an $80,100 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Resilient Communities Fund could not have come at a better time, says the president of Windsor-Essex Pride Fest.

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“It was a godsend that we got these grants,” said Wendi Nicholson Thursday during an event to announce the funding.

The pandemic shut down the organization’s fundraising efforts while at the same time the need for services increased, Nicholson said. The Trillium grant allowed Pride Fest staff to make technology upgrades that ensured vital programs continued to be available virtually and to purchase supplies to allow for safe, in-person meetings when restrictions allowed.

“Everyone had the opportunity to have connections and engage in fun, safe and meaningful activities,” Nicholson said.

“Over the last two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the organization by the way we deliver our programs and services to the community and having the financial means to be able to provide these programs and services,” she added.

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“Due to COVID-19, the restrictions implemented in the community, fundraising for our organization was affected dramatically.”

Nicholson said the impact of the grant cannot be underestimated.

“This grant has allowed us to continue to deliver our social programs and services across Windsor-Essex for all members of the LGBTQ2S+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Queer, Two-Spirited) community, its allies, friends and supporters.”

Grant money was used to purchase updated technology, including equipment and software, for health and safety training, supplies and materials, online program consultant services, program marketing, office furniture and portable equipment such as tents, PPE masks, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies and more.

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Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky joined Nicholson in making the announcement at the Pride Fest office.

“We all know that through COVID — it won’t be news to any of us — how difficult it has been. How isolating it has been for the general public,” Gretzky said to the small group of Pride Fest members who were in attendance.

“But there are certain populations within our community, that being the LGBTQ2S community and others, who have seen even more isolation and not had access to support services,” she said.

“It’s great to see … you pivot and find creative ways in order to keep your community connected and reach out to others as well.”

Windsor-Essex Pride Fest is funded mainly through donations and sponsorships raised through its annual festival and other fundraising events throughout the year.

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Pride Fest, the organization’s main event, will return this year on Aug. 5, 6 and 7, after seeing a wall down festival in 2021 but no parade.

The Pride parade will once again make its way along Ottawa Street this year, followed by a variety of events at Lanspeary Park.

“That’s our new home. I don’t see us leaving there anytime soon,” Nicholson said. “It seems to be our perfect fit now.

“It’s creating more of a family aspect. With having shade, people are coming out, they’re hanging out longer — and not passing out from heatstroke,” she added with a laugh.

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