Quick, Respectful Ways to Support LGBTQIA+ Organizations Before – and Beyond – Pride Month

Dear nonprofits and businesses,

Welcome to Part 2 of our three-part series for organizations showing up late to Pride planning but still wanting to do it right. In Part 1, we covered the dos and don’ts list – the missteps to avoid when you’re scrambling in May and how to pivot. Now, let’s turn the spotlight more on what you can still do – with heart, humility, and impact.

Because when done right, last-minute support can open doors – not just for Pride, but for long-term relationship-building. The key? Start where you are, own your timeline, and focus on substance over show.

1. Step Back So Others Can Step Forward

Visibility during Pride often defaults to the loudest voices – typically those with the most power or budget. But real impact comes when you use your platform to elevate Queer leaders, artists, and storytellers who are already doing the work.

Invite content takeovers on your social media channels, publish guest blogs by LGBTQIA+ community members, or showcase testimonials from Queer staff, board members, and volunteers (if they are comfortable being out and open with their identity). If someone shares their story, be sure to get consent, compensate them fairly, and center their message, not your marketing goals.

This type of amplification doesn't require months of planning – but it does require humility. Let Queer voices lead the narrative.

2. Follow the Money – And Move It

Pride Month sees a flood of branded content – but what Queer communities really need is resources. Instead of pouring your budget into rainbow merchandise or social media graphics, move that money directly to the people doing the work year-round.

Support grassroots LGBTQIA+ organizations, especially those led by BIMPOC and Trans leaders. Sponsor Queer-led events that are already in motion, or offer to underwrite part of an existing Pride campaign. Consider mutual aid efforts that are keeping Queer folks housed, fed, and safe.

And don’t just write a check – build a habit. Set up recurring donations. Add these organizations to your annual budget. Money isn’t the only form of support, but it’s a vital one.

3. Skip the Performance. Lean Into Purpose.

When you’re out of time, the default is often to go for something quick and performative: a rainbow logo, a feel-good Instagram post, a vague statement of support. But the Queer community is exhausted by empty gestures.

Instead, focus on usefulness. What does your audience need to know, access, or do to better support LGBTQIA+ communities?

• Share a vetted list of LGBTQIA+ orgs that people can donate to.

• Offer free or public access to an upcoming Queer-focused training or panel.

• Build a Pride landing page with resources on Queer joy, history, and activism.

Your role isn’t to be the voice – it’s to create space for others and offer tools to your community.

4. Tap Into Talent You’ve Overlooked

Need someone to lead a Pride workshop, design graphics, or cater a celebration? This is the perfect time to assess whose labor you typically rely on – and who gets left out of those opportunities.

Hire Queer-owned businesses and independent creatives. There are directories, mutual aid networks, and local LGBTQIA+ community centers that can help you find vendors who reflect your values. Even with short notice, Queer freelancers and community businesses may have more flexibility than you expect – and you’ll be putting your money back into the communities you claim to uplift.

Start building those relationships now so that next year, you’re ahead of the curve and aligned with the right partners.

5. Fill a Gap, Don’t Duplicate Work

One of the best things you can do – especially in a time crunch – is to support something already happening instead of launching something new.

Check in with Queer community organizations, mutual aid funds, or collectives in your area. Are they hosting a Pride event or fundraiser? Can you offer logistical support, food, printing, promotion, or space? Instead of trying to own the moment, use your resources to strengthen what already exists.

Supporting work already in motion requires less planning and creates more impact – without adding to community burnout.

6. Say Less. Do More.

If you're short on time, ditch the slogans and shift your energy to behind-the-scenes action. This could look like:

• Reviewing and updating your HR policies to better support trans employees.

• Offering flexible time off for Pride-related volunteering or events.

• Starting an internal working group to evaluate LGBTQIA+ inclusivity year-round.

Allyship is quiet, consistent, and accountable. It doesn’t need a press release.

Looking Ahead: Part 3 – Making It Sustainable

You’ve made the pivot. Now let’s talk about how to build a system that doesn’t rely on scrambling again next May. In Part 3, we’ll walk through how to build long-term, sustainable relationships with LGBTQIA+ communities – so your support lasts far beyond Pride.

Because Pride isn’t just a month – it’s a mirror. It shows who’s here for the party, and who’s here for the people.

Sincerely,

Queers

Queer For Hire provides fundraising support to Queer nonprofits, LGBTQIA+ cultural competency to straight-led organizations and corporations, and individual coaching for Queer professionals.

Learn about our Fundraising Services <here> – we’ll lead or support your fundraising efforts, whether you need general support or want to focus on raising money from and for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Learn about our Fundraising Trainings <here> – we can coach your board, staff, and fundraising team on how to fundraise and how to engage LGBTQIA+ donors.

Learn about our other services <here> or our resources <here>.