Pride Center of VT says a donor gave it $350K to reopen. What’s next?

The Pride Center of Vermont says it received an anonymous donation of $350,000, enough money for it to eventually reopen.

Back in October, the center, one of the state’s largest LGBTQ+ organizations, announced a sudden pause in operations after 26 years, citing “critical funding shortfalls.”

The organization laid off its employees and paused all programs, save for the SafeSpace Anti-Violence Program, which has continued under the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. At the time, the group’s board said it would need $350,000 to start back up.

Despite meeting that fundraising goal, the Pride Center has not set a date for when it will reopen, turning its focus toward rehabilitating the organization, which operated in “crisis-mode” for years until a recent back-to-back loss of state and federal money made continuing impossible, according to the board.

“Instead of rushing to restore the status quo, we are intentionally taking this moment to design a stronger, healthier and more community-rooted organization,” the board of directors said in an Oct. 25 press release.

Before reopening, the Pride Center also plans to conduct a statewide assessment to ensure it provides services Vermonters need and to avoid duplicating the efforts of other organizations.

The Pride Center intends to rehire staff and hire new employees in phases once it develops a sustainable financial plan and clear operational structure, according to its website. The first group of employees are set to help with the statewide needs survey.

“We know the Pride Center is deeply missed, and we share that urgency,” the board said on the organization’s website. “But our priority is to ensure that when we reopen, it is on solid, sustainable and transparent footing.”

What will the $350,000 be used for?

With the $350,000 donation, the Pride Center says it plans to pay off debt and liabilities, secure new stable funding, create an emergency fund, hire outside help for a financial review and pay for limited operational costs during the rebuilding process. The money is also set to pay for the community needs assessment, the organization says.

The board plans to speak with former organization leaders, staff and partners to determine what did and didn’t work in the past. Board members said they also plan to tighten financial oversight.

The Pride Center is also looking for new board members, specifically candidates with experience in fundraising and development, communications or media and finance and organizational management. For more information, email board@pridecentervt.org.

Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com.