Pride organizations in the United Kingdom say they’re facing a funding crisis, as corporate sponsors pull back from diversity, equality, and inclusion initiatives. National Student Pride, the UK’s largest LGBTQ+ student event, has announced that its 2026 festival will be its last in its current form after 21 years. Organizers report income has fallen by roughly two-thirds compared to two years ago.
Trustee and co-founder Tom Guy told PinkNews that sponsorship has sharply declined — from 24 sponsors and 53 career fair stalls in 2024 to just eight sponsors and 20 stalls by 2026. Guy says the volunteer-led organization is now struggling to sustain operations. “We’ve lost sponsors that we’ve had for years that either have just not replied to our messages this year or can’t do it anymore with budget cuts…Everyone is struggling.
It’s across the board.” National Student Pride had also introduced an ethical sponsorship policy in 2024, refusing funding from oil, gas, and arms companies after activist-led boycotts. Students say the loss will be deeply felt.
