Despite a decline in corporate support, organizers of the 2025 Reston Pride Festival say they are moving forward with what is planned as the largest in the event’s history.
Set to run May 31-June 1 at Lake Anne Plaza, the event’s all-volunteer organizing committee has begun a last-minute effort to attract sponsors, after a number of those that had participated in the past opted against doing so in 2025.
“We understand the sensitivities they may be navigating,” said Darius Jenkins, who serves on the corporate-sponsorship committee. “The current political climate has made things particularly challenging.”
Jenkins declined to list sponsors that had dropped participation, but said festival organizers had hopes of working with them in future years.
For now, the effort is focused on finding new avenues of support to both fill financial gaps in the 2025 festival and start planning for 2026.
“If any company is interested in stepping up as a sponsor — or if someone would like to make a personal donation — every dollar helps,” Jenkins told FFXnow.
Sponsorship options range from $500 to $20,000, according to the Reston Pride Website.
The festival has been held since 2018. Last year, more than 6,000 community members took part in the event, which featured live entertainment, local vendors, activities for youth and civic-engagement efforts.
A record $25,000 was raised in corporate sponsorships, according to organizers. The goal for this year was $55,000, in part to support expansion to a two-day format that will begin with a concert the evening of Saturday, May 31. The main festival will follow the next day.
Jenkins told FFXnow organizers had made a conscious decision not to scale back the 2025 festival despite financial constraints:
“The LGBTQ+ community deserves to be seen, celebrated, and supported — especially in moments like this — and we’re committed to putting on a joyful, meaningful festival. We’ll make next year happen, too, even if it takes some scrappiness and creativity to get there.”
The festival also will be relying on its faith-based and nonprofit partners, which are continuing to support the initiative.
Lake Anne of Reston Condominium Association is hosting the event without charge, and the Reston Community Center is serving as arts-and-entertainment sponsor.
The Reston Pride Festival will occur during the two-week run of WorldPride DC 2025. Organizers of that event also have voiced concern about a decline in sponsorships, and are waiting to see if the current environment leads international attendees to skip the event this year.
