Proposed Cut to “Festival Fund” Could Be Detrimental to Capital Pride

metroweekly.com:

series of budget recommendations, including a proposed cut of $1.5 million from the Festival Fund, also known as the Special Event Relief Fund.The fund, which is made possible by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, allows organizers of festivals or outdoor special events to apply for financial assistance to cover the costs of street closings, security, and other city agency support services.

The recommendations are slated to be voted upon by the full council on Tuesday, May 16, and if approved, will become part of the District of Columbia’s fiscal year 2024 budget.

Ryan Bos, the executive director of Capital Pride Alliance, told Metro Weekly in an interview that the costs of various city agency fees needed to carry out the Capital Pride Parade and Festival, as well as other Pride Weekend events, can cost between $550,000 and $750,000 per year.

Without the Festival Fund, the scale of the Pride-related events would likely have to change, as organizers would likely have to look at how to monetize different aspects of Capital Pride celebrations in order to generate additional revenue.“Prior to 2022, there was very little financial reprieve or support from the D.C.