The Tampa Pride Board has announced a one-year suspension of the annual Tampa Pride Festival, the Diversity Parade, and all related events due to financial difficulties linked to shifting funding landscapes. According to an official letter dated August 1, 2025, and addressed to former President Carrie West, the organization faces mounting challenges in securing corporate sponsorships, reduced public grant allocations at the county, state, and federal levels, and the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives under Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. These factors have collectively undermined the group’s ability to maintain operations into 2026. n nThe board emphasized that the pause is not a permanent closure but a strategic break intended to allow time for reevaluation of long-term planning and exploration of new funding sources. They acknowledged the festival’s economic impact on local businesses and its importance to the LGBTQIA+ community in the Tampa Bay area. n nCarrie West, who led the organization for 12 years before her contract concluded on August 31, confirmed the end of her tenure. She expressed hope that the group would regain access to traditional grant funding and return stronger after the hiatus. The board also expressed gratitude for West’s leadership and contributions over more than a decade. n n— news from FOX 13 Tampa Bay
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Tampa Pride Festival on 1-year hiatus for funding issues due to the ‘current political and economic climate’
The annual Tampa Pride Festival and other events were put on a one-year hiatus by the Tampa Pride Board for funding issues due to the “current political and economic climate.” n nThe Tampa Pride Board released a letter that was sent to its then-President, Carrie West, on Friday. The letter, which was dated August 1, 2025, informed West, who now serves on the Tampa Pride Board, that his contract would end on August 31, and they would be unable to renew it. n nREAD: ‘Black History Matters ‘ mural returns briefly before state crews remove it for second time n nWhat they ‘re saying: n nThe letter said, in part, “The current political and economic climate, including challenges with corporate sponsorships, reductions in county, state and federal grant funding, and the discontinuation of DEI programs under Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, has made it increasingly difficult for our organization to sustain ongoing operations for 2026.” n nREAD THE FULL LETTER: n nWhat we know: n nThe board said in the letter that ‘s why they decided to implement a one-year hiatus for the annual Tampa Pride Festival and Diversity Parade as well as all affiliated Tampa Pride events. n n”We recognize the festival and parade’s significant financial contribution to local businesses and its vital role to our LGBTQIA+ community,” the board said in the letter to West. “However, this pause is necessary for the organization to regroup, reassess our long-term strategy, and identify additional avenues of funding to secure the future stability of Tampa Pride events.” n nMORE: Community members use chalk art to protest FDOT removing St. Pete street murals n nDig deeper: n nThe board went on to thank West for his dedication as Tampa Pride ‘s president for the past 12 years. n nFOX 13 reached out to West after the letter was posted on social media on Friday. He confirmed his contract concluded on August 31, and said the organization is looking forward to getting some of the grants they normally do and coming back after the one-year hiatus.