For several years, the South Bay Pride Art & Music Festival has struggled financially to stay alive. Now the event is on the verge of ending if it cannot raise the money needed to continue for the upcoming year.
“If we don’t have enough money to get the event off the ground, then it may not happen this year,” said Mike Williamson, secretary with South Bay Pride.
The goal is to raise as much money as they can, Williamson said, but their target amount is $6,000 since they already have a $5,000 matching donation from San Diego Pride and a $1,000 matching donation from another organization if they reach their funding goal by unday, Dec. 31.
Festival organizers have sent out multiple newsletters to their subscribers asking for donations.
A Dec. 8 email sent by festival chairperson Dae Elliot said board members will no longer foot the cost of the event.
“…We can no longer rely on strategic board members to pony up the startup money each year,” the email states. “Hence we are having the matching funds drive.”
The email went on to say if the fundraising goal is not matched, the festival may not happen. “This event needs to be self-replicating and I truly hope we can do this, but if we can’t raise the $5,000 I have to wonder if we have sufficient community support for this great event.”
Williamson confirmed that in past years several board members had to pay for a percentage of the festival costs on their personal credit cards in order for the event to happen. He said he did not know how much was spent on credit cards.
The festival is hosted by South Bay Alliance – a lesbian gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy group – to promote awareness and build community in South County. South Bay Pride Art & Music Festival is the largest fundraising event that South Bay Alliance holds each year.
