Be a Partner - Make a Difference

Not just Sponsors.  Partners.

You are invited to partner with us as we host one of Kelowna's favorite summer events, the Okanagan Pride Festival.  This year the festival is being held August 11 - 17, 2013 and it is made possible by our generous and supportive sponsors. To change the hearts and minds of individuals here and abroad, we need partners like you. We celebrate our allies and will leverage our resources to tell the world that yet another private sector champion is supporting Pride and promoting equality.

In addition to any financial or in-kind support from our sponsors, we are seeing increased involvement in our Pride celebrations on many fronts. Through this, Okanagan Pride is able to enhance our unique, community-based approach to Pride festivities.

More and more businesses are seeing the benefits of partnering with Pride organizations for social change. Our community places a high value on this support and in return these businesses see increased patronage from a loyal customer base. Okanagan Pride is continually asked by members of the LGBTQ community for "friendly" businesses. As a result a new initiative has been to create a business directory that our members can rely on for current information. Most partnership levels in support of the Okanagan Pride Festival this year include a 12 month listing in this directory which is valued at $75.

How does Okanagan Pride Festival make a difference? The festival is in part a celebration of diversity, a place where young people, families, seniors, and friends get together. It is a time to show our pride in who we are and stand up for equality. The feedback from our festivals is heartwarming and evidences the growing feeling of it being okay to be "out" in the Okanagan. Support of local businesses and organizations is crucial to this sense of wellness and by partnering with us your organization is making a difference in a very meaningful way. It also makes it possible to provide free and low-cost entrance to events throughout the week long festival ensuring as many people as possible can participate. In 2012 over 2,000 people attended our events including many tourists who travelled here just for the festival. With additional funding put into advertising this year's festival we are expecting a larger attendance. The theme "It's a Splash!" is being marketed to the LGBT communities throughout Canada and the NW USA.

Feedback from a 2012 Partner:

I'm so happy for Okanagan Pride that the whole Pride Week turned out to be so successful. It reflects very highly on the leadership in place, and it truly shows that committed people such as yourself and the rest of the Board and volunteers can make a huge impact. At every event I attended, the atmosphere was joyous and celebratory, and I was so impressed with the high level of work ethic, enthusiasm and pride that I observed. I am so proud to have been able to be involved representing HSBC as a Sponsor.  - Christine R. White, Branch Manager, HSBC Bank Canada

Get your Business Involved

We are currently seeking business and media partnerships, to make Okanagan Pride 2013 an event that can be enjoyed by everyone! Review the available packages and event sponsorship opportunities, or download a complete partnership package (PDF). Complete a brief online application and we will contact you.

Contact Information:

Wilbur Turner, Co-chair Okanagan Pride Festival
Email partners@okanaganpride.com
Tel 250-317-3621 

About Okanagan Pride Society

We are a non-profit organization committed to serving the Okanagan's LGBTQ community.  We create events and programs to connect and serve our community.  The organization depends on volunteers, membership, sponsorship and patronage to exist, and we are grateful for the support we are receiving from the community.  Our Pride Centre located in down town Kelowna serves as a place for programs, meetings and social activities being a truly safe space for gay, lesbian, transgender and queer identified people. Any surplus funds from the Okanagan Pride Festival go toward operating the Pride Centre which include programs for youth, exercise space, addiction services, and drop-ins.