Budget Constraints and Changing Corporate Priorities Affect Pride Sponsorships

San Francisco, CA – March 21 – San Francisco Pride is facing a $300,000 loss in corporate sponsorships as major companies, including Comcast, Anheuser-Busch InBev, and Diageo, scale back financial support. The decision reflects broader trends in corporate spending and shifting priorities amid a changing political and economic climate.

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Financial Struggles for SF Pride 2025

The multi-day event, scheduled to begin on June 28, costs approximately $3.2 million to host over one million attendees, according to SF Pride Executive Director Suzanne Ford.

While the organization is still projected to secure $2.3 million in sponsorships, the funding shortfall could impact the event’s extensive community support initiatives, including grants for local groups, vendor opportunities, and nonprofit participation in the parade.

Sponsors cited local budget constraints rather than political reasons for their decision.
Diageo will still have Pride-related activations in San Francisco but is shifting its sponsorship to Long Beach Pride.
Comcast will instead support Oakland, Silicon Valley, and Sacramento Pride events.
AB InBev has not publicly commented.

National Trend: Companies Scaling Back Pride Sponsorships

San Francisco isn't alone—New York City Pride is also seeing partners reduce visibility at events and reassess their spending for the June 29 parade.

A spokesperson for NYC Pride confirmed that while some companies have maintained financial support, others are delaying funding decisions or minimizing their public presence.

“We’re seeing a mix—some partners are scaling back, while others are doubling down in this volatile political environment.”

The DEI Factor: Corporate Hesitation Amid Political Pressure

While none of the withdrawn sponsors explicitly cited anti-DEI sentiment, Ford acknowledged the broader impact of corporate pullbacks on diversity initiatives:

“The anti-DEI stance from the Trump government has made it harder for companies to support us. There’s a level of risk that comes with vocal support, including negative press.”

High-profile cases like Bud Light’s backlash over a transgender influencer partnership and John Deere’s retreat from DEI efforts after conservative criticism have led some corporations to rethink public LGBTQ+ support.

Despite these setbacks, SF Pride remains committed to securing new sponsors. San Francisco International Airport has already stepped in as a new corporate partner for 2025.

Looking Ahead: Will Other Companies Step Up?

SF Pride and NYC Pride hope that by highlighting withdrawn support, they will encourage new sponsors to fill the gap. With corporate sponsorships making up a significant portion of Pride budgets, businesses now face a choice: maintain public LGBTQ+ support or quietly scale back.

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