Role of Fierté Canada Pride in the funding ecosystem
Fierté Canada Pride (FCP) is a national non-profit association that connects and represents Pride organizations in communities of all sizes across Canada. In addition to advocacy, networking and capacity-building, FCP plays a direct funding role by administering the Community Safety Fund, a federal initiative financed by Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) Canada. Through this fund, FCP distributes grants to 2SLGBTQIA+ organizers so they can respond to rising hate and security risks at public Pride events.
The Community Safety Fund offers several funding streams aligned with event scale: small events with budgets under $500,000 can receive up to $10,000, medium events under $2 million up to $50,000, and large events over $2 million up to $250,000. Eligible applicants include organizations and collectives with a mandate, program or service focused on 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and both FCP members and non-members can apply. Funded costs must be tied to specific events or series of events and focus on safety needs such as public safety requirements, equipment, infrastructure, personnel and training.
General eligibility and accountability
Eligible events must be public, organized by 2SLGBTQIA+ groups, and take place within the stated funding period, typically a fiscal year (for example, April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026). The fund targets Pride festivals and 2SLGBTQIA+ cultural gatherings rather than ongoing program activities. Ineligible uses include unrelated programming expenses such as performers, general marketing or long-term infrastructure not related to safety.
Recipients are required to complete final reporting, including a recipient report, itemized receipts and a qualitative reflection on the impact of the funding. FCP commits to anonymizing shared data before it is transmitted to WAGE Canada, reflecting an emphasis on privacy, transparency and accountability in grant administration.
Supported publics and complementary programs
Beyond direct financial support, Fierté Canada Pride strengthens organizers through programs like the Rural and Remote Pride Collective, a peer-powered network for Pride organizers in rural, northern and isolated communities. This collective offers workshops, tailored tools, planning templates and grant tips, as well as monthly virtual meetings to reduce isolation and share strategies. FCP also coordinates projects such as the Two Spirit Residential School Survivor Stories initiative, which centres Two-Spirit voices through storytelling workshops and a national speaker series.
FCP maintains a public resource hub that hosts planning checklists, safety and emergency response templates and cultural awareness trainings, alongside curated links to partner organizations and helplines. These supports complement the Community Safety Fund by helping groups design safer events, build internal capacity and navigate legal and operational challenges associated with public Pride festivals.
History, mission and impact
Formally established as a national association in 2004, Fierté Canada Pride emerged from grassroots gatherings of Pride organizers wishing to share knowledge and solidarity. Its mission is to strengthen Pride organizations and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities by elevating equity-denied and global majority peoples, practicing reconciliation in action, building capacity and advocating for systemic change. In recent years, FCP has intentionally expanded its work with rural, remote, northern and Indigenous communities and created leadership councils so historically excluded voices can shape the organization’s direction.
By redistributing federal funds to front-line Pride organizers and offering extensive tools, mentorship and peer networks, FCP helps make Pride events across Canada safer, more inclusive and more sustainable. Its grant-making and program portfolio sit within a broader vision of a connected, accessible and intersectional Pride movement from coast to coast to coast.
