The city of Savannah, Georgia, finds itself witnessing a significant financial challenge for a prominent local advocacy group. The Savannah Pride Center is reaching out to the community for assistance after an unexpected withdrawal of $30,000 in pledged donations.

Despite the financial setback, the organization has confirmed that the upcoming Pride Festival will proceed as planned. However, the loss of funding poses a threat to the center’s ongoing initiatives aimed at supporting the community that the festival celebrates.

Michael Bell, the executive director of the Savannah Pride Center, expressed concern over the diminishing corporate support that the group has traditionally relied upon. “We used to receive a lot of corporate support, but I think the writing is on the wall,” Bell remarked.

He further noted, “We live through very turbulent times, and companies are pulling back from supporting things like Pride.” Bell’s comments highlight the broader trend of corporations reevaluating their sponsorships amid changing socio-political climates.

“We live through very turbulent times, and companies are pulling back from supporting things like Pride,” said Bell.

Multiple corporate donors withdrew support weeks before this year’s annual Pride Festival.

Bell says those donations not only help fund the festival but also pay for a variety of programs the center offers. “While Prides across the country have been canceled, know that our center is increasing our services. We do free gynecology, we do free mental and behavioral health, free HIV testing, discounts on STD testing, we do hormone replacement therapy, we have so many medical and holistic offerings for the community.”

Bell cites the Trump administration for the loss of funding. He says donors are scared to openly support communities that are under attack by Conservatives.

“The political climate is a nice way to say it’s definitely this administration,” said Bell. “You know, our marginalized communities are extremely under attack through policies and laws that are trying to be passed.”

Bell went on to say, “You’ve seen our trans community erased from government websites. It’s no secret that the LGBTQ community is under attack by this administration, and that results in Pride and funding for non-profits that support marginalized communities being affected.”

The Savannah Pride Festival will start in Forsyth Park Saturday at noon. It continues until 11 p.m. You can find more information here.