City Council to consider nearly tripling Pride funding to $350,000 annually ⋆ The Palm Springs Post

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*Thousands of people gather each year on the streets of Palm Springs for the annual Pride Festival. (File photo)*

The Palm Springs City Council will vote Oct. 22 on whether to nearly triple the city’s annual funding for the Greater Palm Springs Pride Festival, increasing support from $125,000 to $350,000 per year through June 2027.

The proposed amendment to the city’s five-year agreement with Greater Palm Springs Pride, Inc. appears on the consent agenda for the the council’s next meeting, meaning it could be approved without formal discussion unless a council member requests to pull it for debate.

In a report issued for the meeting, city staff cited rising security and operational costs as the primary driver behind the funding increase request. Security expenses alone have increased 60% since the current agreement was signed in 2022, according to the staff report. Overall event production costs have risen between 20% and 50% over recent years.

“As one of the largest events produced and hosted in Palm Springs, it is important that this event remains a safe, fun and free event for the community and visitors to enjoy,” Parks and Recreation Director Nick Gonzalez wrote.

The Pride Festival, scheduled for Nov. 6 through 9 this year, generates an estimated $38 million economic impact for Palm Springs businesses, with approximately 200,000 attendees visiting during Pride Week each November. Between 65% and 75% of attendees come from outside the Coachella Valley, spending an average of $365.39 per day on hotels, shopping and dining, according to city documents.

Under the enhanced sponsorship agreement, Palm Springs would become the official “Presenting Sponsor” of Pride events, gaining exclusive branding rights including sponsorship of the VIP reception, designated speaking opportunities at events, and naming rights to the City of Palm Springs Children’s Garden during Pride Week.

The funding would be split between three city sources: $125,000 from the Parks and Recreation budget, $100,000 from Economic Development, and $125,000 from PS Resorts funds. The agreement would remain in effect through June 30, 2027.

Greater Palm Springs Pride has organized the annual November festival since 1999. The event relocated to Palm Canyon Drive in 2014, transforming into what organizers call one of the largest Pride celebrations in the western United States.