Niagara Reporter
ATTENTION WNY LGBTQ+ & ALLY OWNED BUSINESSES:
Be Part of WNY Shopping with Pride 2023 (www.wnyshoppingwithpride.org)
WNY Shopping with Pride is a unique fundraiser for Niagara Pride, Inc. which not only serves to help raise funds to support local LGBTQ+ programs and services, but also highlights and celebrates locally owned and operated LGBTQ+ and ally businesses and merchants in WNY and beyond.
Last year, this event was able to showcase over 30 different local WNY businesses. The event was not only a successful fundraiser for our organization, but it was an incredible opportunity to highlight the importance of supporting locally owned merchants and businesses. It is a demonstration of how diversity only serves to strengthen and enrich the tapestry of the Western New York communities where we live, work, and play. .
As a result of the contributions received from WNY Shopping with Pride, Niagara Pride, Inc. was able to provide the following programs and services in 2022:
• LGBTQ+ Diversity and Inclusivity Trainings for businesses and organizations – over 7,000 individuals, both locally and nationally, attended these trainings throughout the year.
• Jean Hopkins Memorial Scholarship – a $500 scholarship was awarded to a graduating high school senior pursuing higher education.
• Niagara County GSA Grants – seven $500 grants were given to local GSAs to help fund LGBTQ+ diversity programs at their high schools.
• Know Your Status – a campaign designed to provide free sexual health information and resources to residents of WNY as well as create an online tool that allows individuals to easily locate HIV/AIDS and STI testing sites throughout the 8 counties of Western New York.
• WNY LGBTQ+ Youth Vocational Training Conference – a one day event aimed at providing LGBTQ+ youth between the ages of 15-21 with lifelong skills and tools to seek employment, create resumes, interview for jobs, and effectively seek out training programs.
• WNY LGBTQ+ Health and Wellness Fair – an opportunity for community members to learn about LGBTQ+ specific and/or affirming programs, services, and resources offered by local community service providers.
• WNY Pride 5K – a virtual 5K race/walk in WNY with a focus of bringing awareness to, while also celebrating the local WNY LGBTQ+ Community
• Community-based Pride Celebrations – Niagara Falls Pride, Newfane Pride, North Tonawanda Pride (in partnership with the Oliver Street Merchants Association)…and coming in 2023, Lockport Pride!
• And in partnership with other agencies, Niagara Pride has been able to offer groups/services for addictions and housing discrimination assistance.
One of the amazing facts about Niagara Pride, is that, aside from our scholarship, all our services are funded solely through community donations. Niagara Pride has no paid staff. All the work we do, is done by our volunteer Board of Directors.
For a little background, Niagara Pride, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving LGBTQ+ individuals and families in Niagara County and the surrounding WNY area. We offer community-based educational programming and engage in charitable work. Niagara Pride collaborates with other organizations to offer LGBTQ+ programming, social meet ups, Diversity and Inclusion training for organizations and businesses, health-based initiatives, and other visibility events, including numerous June Pride events. As part of our charitable outreach, we have multiple donation drives throughout the year, which benefit individuals, families, and children in need. Niagara Pride, Inc. also facilitates welcoming social events, creating safe spaces in the community for LGBTQ+ individuals.
WNY Shopping with Pride will take place from June 1 to June 30, 2023. As Niagara Pride’s primary fundraiser event for the year, we are asking participating merchants and businesses to donate at one of four sponsorship levels (see attached sponsorship level descriptions). During the month, Niagara Pride will utilize various social media platforms as well as other media to promote the event and the participating businesses.
Sponsorship Levels:
• Platinum ($1,000+): Your business will be listed in all printed materials, listed on our event website as well as on our other social media posts for the event; receive a window decal to identify you as a participating merchant; a full-page ad in the event program, and a Facebook Live interview to promote your business during June 2023.
• Gold ($500+): Your business will be listed in all printed materials, listed on our event website as well as on our other social media posts for the event; receive a window decal to identify you as a participating merchant; a 1/2-page ad in the event program, and a pre-recorded interview with your business will be posted on our Facebook page and event website
• Silver ($200+): Your business will be listed in all printed materials, listed on our event website as well as on our other social media posts for the event; receive a window decal to identify you as a participating merchant; and a 1/4-page ad in the event program
• Bronze ($50+): Your business will be listed in all printed materials, listed on our event website as well as on our other social media posts for the event; and receive a window decal to identify you as a participating merchant
To register as a participating merchant and to donate as a sponsor for the event, simply go to… www.wnyshoppingwithpride.org
Sponsorship donation must be processed online and/or check received by no later than April 30, 2023 in order to be printed in the program. Donations processed between May 1, 2023 and June 1, 2023 will have their business listed on the event website. Checks can be mailed to Niagara Pride Inc., 138 East Ave – Suite 798, Lockport, NY 14095.
We look forward to partnering with you!
WNYSHOPPINGWITHPRIDE.ORG
WNY Shopping with Pride – A Program of Niagara Pride, Inc.
