April 28, 2008

Dear Pride Partners

Your help is urgently needed.The Pride Parade is a little more then 30 days from now and we need your help.Two factors are hitting us very hard this year. The one that everyone is feeling is the economic down turn our country is facing. Due to the poor economy we have been informed by several of our major and minor financial sponsors that they will be unable to make any contributions to the pride event. We have also heard that many of the national companies that we are seeking to be sponsors will be focusing on larger markets such as San Francisco and Los Angles due to their tight budgets.

Our second major hurtle this year has been the very unexpected scheduling change of the West Hollywood/L.A Pride weekend. For the past 18 years Fresno Pride has always been on the first full weekend of June. Since last July Community Link has been in the process of putting together this years pride event on Saturday, June 7, 2008. Two weeks ago we learned that West Hollywood/L.A. had moved their Pride weekend to the same weekend as ours, three weeks ahead of their usual weekend.

Rescheduling our Pride is not an option due to contracts and other obligations we have already entered into.

Make a commitment to stand by Fresno Pride. Make a tax deductible contribution and make plans on attending this year's event.

Fresno Rainbow Pride has continued to grow and improve with each year that Community Link has organized the annual event. We make the most with the financial resources we have. There is no paid staff and no office space overhead. Every dollar raised goes directly into putting this event on. Last year the cost for pride weekend was slightly over $25,000. This may seem like a lot, but it is really a bare bones budget.  There are simply no areas to cut without making a huge impact on the promotion and quality of the parade and festival.

We are at the point where we must sign contracts scheduling and securing our advertising of the event. With the change of West Hollywood/L.A. Pride we can not cut out the billboard advertising or the hanging of the Pride Banners in the Tower District. These are two promotional items that generate a huge buzz about the upcoming event. We urgently need to obtain the $3,000 to place these orders. $800. for the billboard and $2,200 for the banner installation.

Plus another additional $1,600.00 for the city permits ($378.00) and the insurance policy ($1,250.00). These are just the starting costs which must be paid immediately.

Your donations will truly make a huge difference to our ability to make up front deposits with our venders, increase our promotional efforts to rise visibility, and contract with service providers, such as fencing companies, rental agencies, the sound systems, security companies, etc...

Please help us make Fresno proud, become a Rainbow Pride Partner. Your tax deductible donation will ensure a more festive, and visible Pride Celebration. We hope that you will decide to make a donation today. A  gift of $5, $10, $15, $20, or larger will enable Fresno Pride to happen. Every dollar helps. Please encourage your friends to also make a donation in the spirit of Pride.

Please make your donation payable to Community Link and send your check to: Community Link's Fresno Rainbow Pride, P.O. Box 4959, Fresno, Ca. 93744

Or you may make a Paypal donation directly below.

Finally another great way of supporting the 2008 Fresno Rainbow Pride Parade and Festival is to spread the word. Share, forward, copy, or fax this letter to your family and friends.

Jeffery Robinson
Community Link's Fresno Rainbow Pride

Every year the Pride Parade and Festival is made possible by and through individuals direct donations. Fresno Rainbow Pride depends on community members’ support. Donations of $5 and $10 go a long way when they are all is added up. And larger donations are always appreciated.

Donations may also be given through Paypal - click below!

Community Link is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and your donations are tax deductible.