For Pride St. Louis, Record-Setting PrideFest Wiped Out Six-Figure Debt

For Pride St. Louis, this year's PrideFest was a winner in more ways than one. Not only did the organization attract a record number of attendees — but it managed to wipe out its debt.

Landon Brownfield, secretary for the board of directors for Pride St. Louis, says the organization entered the year with several years of debt, owing more than $160,000. But in addition to the usual event revenue, including sponsorships, the organization was able to raise $40,410 through direct donations, about four times the amount raised last year.

Thanks in part to that influx of money, Brownfield says, "obligations for previous years and this year have been met.”

Earlier this year, Pride St. Louis announced that it would be charging a $5 admission fee — but backed off in the face of public criticism. After nixing the fee, the organization encouraged those who had the means to donate upon admittance.

Read more: https://www.riverfronttimes.com/newsblog/2017/07/07/pridefest-2017-donations-wiped-out-pride-st-louis-six-figure-debt