FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 18, 2025
Stonewall Columbus Receives $276,281 Grant from Franklin County to Support LGBTQ+ Programs and Pride Festival
Columbus, OH – Stonewall Columbus is honored to announce that it has been awarded a $276,281 grant from Franklin County to support its ongoing mission to “increase visibility, inclusion, and connection for the LGBTQ+ community.”
The funding, approved today by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, will directly support Stonewall Columbus’ year-round programming focused on economic empowerment, family expansion, identity enrichment, and personal wellness/health. The grant also includes a $100,000 sponsorship for the 2025 Columbus Pride Festival and March, ensuring the continued success of one of the region’s largest and most impactful celebrations of LGBTQ+ visibility and resilience.
“We are incredibly grateful for Franklin County’s continued investment in our work,” said Densil Porteous, Executive Director of Stonewall Columbus. “For over four decades, Stonewall Columbus has been a pillar of support, advocacy, and connection for the LGBTQ+ community. This grant affirms that Central Ohio is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all individuals—regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity—are seen, valued, and supported.”
The funding will be allocated to:
- Expanding economic empowerment programs that provide financial stability and career-building opportunities for LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Enhancing family support resources, including parenting workshops and adoption/fostering guidance.
- Strengthening mental health and wellness programs, ensuring access to affirming care and community support.
- Boosting civic engagement efforts, ensuring LGBTQ+ voices are represented in local policies and decision-making.
- Supporting the Columbus Pride Festival and March, which draws over 700,000 attendees and serves as a major driver of economic and cultural impact in the region.
“There are those who believe that diversity, equity and inclusion is quote-unquote dead, or we need to get rid of it,” Franklin County Commissioner Kevin Boyce said during the Tuesday meeting. Referring to the grant for Stonewall Columbus, Boyce said, “This investment, to me, couldn’t be more timely.”
The grant for Stonewall marks an increase in county funding for the organization. Last year, the commissioners gave Stonewall a $50,000 grant.
“The grant before you is not just a financial contribution,” said Porteous. “It’s a testament to and a statement about this county’s commitment to every person, no matter who they are and who they love, that they deserve to be seen, supported and safe.”
Porteous said it costs Stonewall more than $600,000 each year to put on Columbus’ Pride events, which is one of the largest in the country.
With this funding, Stonewall Columbus will continue its year-round efforts to foster acceptance, combat discrimination, and build a more inclusive Central Ohio.
For more information on Stonewall Columbus and its programs, visit www.stonewallcolumbus.org.
About Stonewall Columbus: Founded in 1981, Stonewall Columbus serves Central Ohio’s LGBTQ+ community by providing a wide array of educational, cultural, community programming and connection to resources that affirm the lives of LGBTQ+ people. As a community-focused organization, Stonewall Columbus is committed to fostering a climate of respect and diversity within the Central Ohio area. Stonewall Columbus, an independent 501(c)(3)nonprofit, is one of the oldest LGBTQ+ community centers in the country.
