The New Haven Pride Center has raised $225,000 in pledges since its closure last month — bringing the nonprofit that much closer to a $500,000 fundraising goal that would enable it to reopen in May. That’s according to Hope Chávez, the co-chair of the Pride Center’s board. Chávez said the fundraising news is reason for optimism — though still not a guarantee — that the LGBTQIA+ community center can survive its current financial turmoil. In the meantime, the center’s home base at 50 Orange St. remains shuttered, with all staff currently furloughed. The Pride Center closed down at the end of February due to financial challenges stemming from the center’s temporary loss of its 501(c)(3) non-profit status in 2022 under the leadership of then-Executive Director Patrick Dunn. After just over three months, the center regained its nonprofit status. A new executive director, Juancarlos Soto, stewarded a revival of the organization, including its move to an above-ground location at 50 Orange St. Still, the center faced approximately $149,173 in debt to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which had grown to roughly $250,000 with interest and penalties, according to Chávez. The organization has so far paid $100,279 toward the debt, but due to compounding interest, the center still owes $232,878 to the federal tax agency. Soto left the center in 2025, leaving an open executive director position that the center has not been able to fill. In January, due to continued funding constraints, the center reduced its drop-in hours from four days a week to three. Then in late February, the board announced that the center would “cease normal operations” and furlough staff. “All signs were pointing towards very little hope for us,” Chávez said. Since then, the center’s three remaining board members — co-chairs Chávez and Nick Bussett as well as treasurer Chloe Lasky — have set to work recruiting new donors to reach a goal of fundraising $500,000. The team determined that “it basically takes $500,000 for us to clear the debt and give ourselves substantial enough runway” to restart the organization with a plan for fiscal sustainability. Chávez said that the board is currently accepting philanthropic pledges, but will not accept actual cash until that $500,000 goal can be reached. The board has been in touch with philanthropists and foundations about prospective donations toward that goal. Board members worked with the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and the New Alliance Foundation to convene a meeting with local philanthropists on March 17. They were joined by Mayor Justin Elicker and East Rock/Fair Haven Alder Caroline Tanbee Smith. There, according to Chávez, the board members presented a plan to donors. They said that if they can raise half a million dollars, they would reopen the center at some point in May. They would hire back the three staff positions employed by the center in January. Once the center is reopened, they would work on hiring both an executive director and a staff member dedicated to revenue and fundraising. According to Chávez, the $500,000 goal includes a budget for enlisting outside help in the executive director hiring process. “Hiring an ED takes a long time for a very small board,” said Chávez. “We need to be able to bring in some people to help us do that hiring process.” Eventually, Chávez said, the center will put forward a strategic plan, detailing how the organization will achieve long-term financial sustainability. Smith recalled, “They were really transparent and really clear… As someone who deeply cares about the Pride Center, it was just really helpful to know, here’s the plan.” Smith expressed hope about “a future where that team that so many of us know and love, including Laura [Boccadoro] and others, can come back together in a place of stability to host Pride festivals, to host events and panels and the community groups that bring people together.” In the aftermath of that March 17 meeting, according to Chávez, the board raised $225,000 in pledges from nine individual donors. Of those funds, $155,000 may be used toward paying off the IRS debt, while $70,000 will be reserved for funding the Pride Center once the debt is cleared. Chávez declined to provide more information about the individuals who have made pledges. “At this moment in our history,” said Chávez, the donors “can’t imagine a New Haven that doesnt have a dedicated real space for LGBTQ folks. They also believe in and trust what we’re trying to do here. I’m just profoundly grateful for that.” “Our goal is to meet our $500,000 pledge goal in April so that we can begin quickly,” said Chávez. Interested donors can reach the board by emailing [email protected]. A handful of community groups, such as the Lavender Contra Collective, have also conducted smaller-scale fundraisers. Credit: Laura Glesby Photo Meanwhile, the center’s landlord, Beacon Communities, has been flexible about rent deadlines during the center’s closure, according to Chávez. “We are actively working with Center leadership to ensure they can remain a part of this community,” wrote Beacon Senior Vice President Kristie Tafel in a statement. While the city has allocated $30,000 toward the Pride Center in previous fiscal years, Mayor Elicker’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026-27 does not include any funding for the center. “We’re supportive of the Pride Center at any moment and particularly in this moment. It’s important for us to make sure New Haven has a strong organization that’s advocating for and on behalf of the LGBTQ community,” said Elicker. Elicker said that the city is unlikely to fund the Pride Center in the coming fiscal year, but noted that “once they’ve settled some of the financial issues, we will be there for them in collaboration with the alders.” Chávez said that the mayor’s presence at the March donor meeting was a reflection of “his extraordinary commitment to the center and to the community.” Chávez also expressed gratitude for the center’s volunteers, local queer-affirming faith communities, and neighborhood food aid distributors for reaching out to assess how they could step in to meet needs within the LGBTQIA+ community. “It’s been wonderful to have community members wrapping their arms around us,” Chávez said. “I cannot express how profound it is.” The post Pride Center Approaches Reopening Goal appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less