PALESTINE SOLIDARITY
Halifax Pride reaffirms its commitment to solidarity with the Palestinian Liberation movement and condemns the genocide of Palestinian people and on-going military occupation of their land. There is no 2SLGBTQIA+ liberation without liberation for all.
We implore other organizations, governments, and community members to do the same.
In 2021, Halifax Pride publicly shared our commitment to solidarity with the Palestinian Liberation movement, condemning the genocide of Palestinian people and on-going military occupation of their land. This commitment was reaffirmed in 2024, along with a report outlining our funding sources, including sponsorship and government grants.
The purpose of this report was to highlight the percentage of our budget that was sourced from corporate sponsors, specifically highlighting a number of sponsors who were listed on the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) list.
The report has been removed from this page, as we no longer have relationships with any of the sponsors listed in it.
Along with that report, we published a list of goals for the following year:
Engaging in open, accountable and creative ways with funding options that are not named on the Canadian BDS list
Facilitating an open community conversation in Fall 2024 about exploring Pride funding structures and events.
Updating our performer review process so that our performers align with our mandate and our statements pertaining to anti-racism, local and global Indigenous Sovereignty, and Palestinian Liberation.
Updating our review processes regarding funders, sponsors, and parade submissions.
2025 UPDATE
Performer Review Process
We strengthened our performer review process to ensure that all artists align with our mandate and our public statements on anti-racism, Indigenous sovereignty (local and global), and Palestinian liberation. Applications now include more comprehensive review guidelines and explicit requirements for performers to uphold our Aim, Purpose, and Guiding Principles. Performers may self-identify as members of underserved communities, and our process prioritizes their inclusion. It is also clearly stated that Halifax Pride reserves the right to end relationships with performers who do not adhere to these commitments.
Funding, Sponsorship, and Parade Reviews
In line with our pledge to explore funding options outside those listed on the Canadian BDS list, staff and board completed a review of our sponsorship and funding processes. We revised our sponsorship intake survey and agreements, requiring sponsors to disclose their equity practices and to affirm their adherence to Halifax Pride’s mandate. We have intentionally shifted toward local and regional partnerships, with less focus on large international corporations, including banks.
Our parade application process was also updated, in consultation with other Pride organizations, to include questions about applicants’ engagement with 2SLGBTQIA+ initiatives outside of the parade itself. These changes are designed to ensure that participation in Pride reflects meaningful and accountable community involvement, rather than the Parade being used as a marketing tool.
Community Conversations on Funding
In Fall 2024 and into early 2025, we facilitated a series of public consultations with the community on the future of Pride’s funding structures. These conversations centered on how to diversify income and reduce reliance on corporate sponsorship, while ensuring the financial burden is not shifted onto community members.
From these sessions, staff developed a list of alternative funding options, many of which are currently being explored, including increased grant funding, new fundraising initiatives, and private donation opportunities (despite Halifax Pride not having charitable status).
One major outcome of these discussions, paired with internal review, was the decision to end our long-standing relationship with a presenting sponsor. While this choice carried financial risk, Halifax Pride staff and board agreed that energy spent on corporate sponsorship negotiations was better redirected toward sustainable and values-aligned revenue sources.
While our overall budget line for sponsorships has increased as the festival has grown, the percentage of our revenue from sponsorship remains consistent at approximately 15%. This percentage has remained steady year over year and is lower than many festivals of a similar size.
We recognize that meeting these goals will always be a work in progress. Our staff and board are committed to continued consultation with the community, and strive to make decisions that serve community.
We always welcome constructive feedback and suggestions on how to improve our work.
