Anheuser-Busch declines to sponsor St. Louis PrideFest after over 30 years, organizers scrambling for funds

Pride St. Louis is asking the St. Louis community to help bridge the funding gap with a grassroots campaign.

ST. LOUIS — After more than 30 years of sponsoring PrideFest, Anheuser-Busch has declined to sponsor this year’s St. Louis LGBTQIA+ festival. This leaves Pride St. Louis, the nonprofit that organizes the annual event, scrambling for funds, but St. Louisans can help.

The news came at a time when other sponsors have already reduced their contributions, a Wednesday morning written statement from Pride St. Louis said, calling Anheuser-Busch’s decision “especially painful.”

Funding has been well below expectations, the statement said. Funds are more than $150,000 short of 2024’s totals, prompting the organization’s board of directors to actively work on changing the budget where they can while making sure PrideFest remains safe, engaging and spectacular — for everyone.

Pride St. Louis’s statement asked the St. Louis community to help bridge the funding gap.

“In response to this drop in support, Pride St. Louis is humbly launching the #45for45 fundraising campaign, a community-driven initiative to commemorate 45 years of advocacy, support, and celebration,” the statement said. “This milestone is not just about PrideFest—it’s about the work Pride St. Louis has done for decades to uplift, empower, and serve the LGBTQIA+ community year-round.”

Pride St. Louis President Marty Zunig, said the organization remains beyond excited to celebrate 45 years of Pride in St. Louis, calling the anniversary a testament to the strength, resilience and love within the St. Louis community.

“While we are deeply disappointed that Anheuser-Busch has chosen to step away from supporting PrideFest this year, we remain hopeful that the community will step up where they have stepped down,” Zuniga said. “The #45for45 campaign is an opportunity for everyone, whether you’ve marched in the parade, attended our events, or simply believe in equality, to help ensure that these efforts continue for years to come. The community and our board are clear—canceling PrideFest is not an option.”

People can honor the #45for45 campaign milestone with a donation of any amount, the statement said.

“Every contribution directly supports the mission of Pride St. Louis and the work it does throughout the year,” the statement said. “Those who donate $45 or more will receive a commemorative 45th-anniversary lapel pin as a token of appreciation.”

Donations can be made online at pridestl.org/45for45.

PrideFest 2025 is planned for June 28-29 at Soldiers Memorial Park in downtown St. Louis. It’ll include a Grand Parade—the largest parade in St. Louis—on Sunday.

“With the community’s help, Pride St. Louis aims to continue its legacy of fostering inclusivity, advocacy, and celebration for decades to come,” the statement said. 

For more information on this year’s festival, including how to register as a vendor, volunteer or become a sponsor, visit pridestl.org.

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