Indy Pride


Indy Pride is a nonprofit 501 organization based in the Indianapolis, Indiana. It is a community-based, non-profit organization that seeks to "celebrate and educate others about the rich historical and cultural legacy of gay, bisexual and transgender peoples." The organization started in 1995 as the coordinator of the city's annual Gay pride parade and event—Indy Pride Festival—but later grew into an umbrella for multiple LGBT community entities, including the Chris Gonzalez Library and Archives, Bag Ladies, and Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival.

Objectives

According to the organization's by-laws, the purpose of Indy Pride is:
to educate the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender & straight Communities about GLBT history, of the issues which affect it and of the resources which are available to members within the community.

Events

The all-volunteer organization puts on several yearly events, including Indy Pride Festival, Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival, Laugh OUT Loud, Hoosier 250 Tricycle Race, and Circle City Volleyball Tournament.

Community Support

The organization produces events and fundraisers, including through the Indy Pride Bag Ladies, which enables them to make significant monetary contributions to the Indiana LGBT Community.

Grants

Indy Pride grants funds to many local non-profit organizations, including , Indiana Youth Group, , , and others.

Indy Pride Scholarship Program

The Indy Pride Scholarship Program was established as a way for Indy Pride to reward future and current students attending an accredited Indiana-based university or college who are making significant contributions to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Straight Ally community through their academic pursuits. The scholarship also provides for those who identify as members of the LGBTQS community who have demonstrated a lack of support to attend an institute of higher education. The annual program began in the mid-late 1990s and continues today, with over $10,000 awarded in 2012.

Board of directors

The organization enlists an entire volunteer Board of Directors, including an Executive Board composed of a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Board also consists of 5-17 additional board members.
Board Presidents have included Jim Lasher, Linda Batchelor-Ballew, Ivan Howard, Gary Brackett, Scott VanKirk, Nicholas Murphy, Chris Morehead, Jason Nolen-Doerr.

History

Indy Pride started in 1995 as an independent organization and coordinator of the Indy Pride Festival, and later received 501 nonprofit status in 1997. In 1996, the organization began an annual scholarship program and the Community Thanksgiving Dinner, both of which continue today. In 2004, the organization began monthly Membership Mixers, which also continue today. In 2002, a parade was added to the week of events. In 2005, the Pride of Indy Band and Color Guard was created, which in 2009 became its own 501 nonprofit.