Twin Cities Pride has severed its sponsorship ties with Target following the retail giant's recent decision to roll back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals, marking a significant shift for both the organization and the community it serves.
On January 24, 2025, Twin Cities Pride organizers announced through social media their disappointment with Target's decision, stating emphatically, "Target will NOT have a presence at the festival or parade." This statement underscored the organization's commitment to its principles and the welfare of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly highlighting the impact such corporate decisions have on local initiatives.
Executive Director of Twin Cities Pride, Andi Otto, addressed the situation, saying, "Target executives have been in touch with Twin Cities Pride about changes to the company's DEI programs. We are working through what this means for the LGBTQ+ community and the long-standing partnership between Target and our organization." This reflects the organization’s desire to engage with Target, even as fundamental changes to sponsorship were underway.
With Target stepping back, Twin Cities Pride faced the challenge of replacing the financial support it had relied upon, particularly the pledged $50,000 from the corporation. Faced with this gap, Twin Cities Pride quickly launched a crowdfunding campaign to recover the lost funds.
Within just 24 hours of the campaign's launch, the LGBTQ+ community rallied together, successfully raising over $82,000 from more than 1,300 individual donors, effectively surpassing the initial goal. The organization celebrated this remarkable support through their campaign, stating, "Your generosity fuels the heart of Twin Cities Pride and supports vitals programming like the Rainbow Wardrobe, Artist in Residence, and Rainbow Feast. Every dollar donated goes directly back..." This quote encapsulates how integral community support is to the Pride organization’s operations.
This overwhelming response demonstrates not only the strength of community ties but also highlights the diverse needs of the LGBTQ+ population, whose interests require sustained funding and support. The funds raised will go toward various initiatives aimed at fostering inclusivity and cultural representation within the community.
Otto's statement reflects the urgency of the situation, focusing on the need for continued dialogue between Twin Cities Pride and Target. While the decision to withdraw sponsorship is final for this year, Otto noted, "We are committed to continuing conversations with [Target] about the impact it has on our community, and those... who are their employees." This statement leaves open the possibility for future cooperation and sets the stage for discussions on how Target can realign its initiatives to support the LGBTQ+ community meaningfully.
The decision to part ways marks not only the end of the corporate sponsorship for 2025 but also signifies broader concerns within the community related to corporate accountability and support of LGBTQ+ initiatives. The strong community reaction shows a clear message: inclusivity and support for diversity must remain at the forefront of corporate policies.
Looking forward, the success of the fundraising campaign offers hope and encouragement to Twin Cities Pride and similar organizations facing challenges with corporate partnerships. The swift response of over 1,300 donors serves as a poignant reminder of the power of community involvement and activism, especially during challenging times.
Despite the disappointment of losing such significant corporate backing, Twin Cities Pride remains resolute, with Otto expressing gratitude for the community's generosity and support, "Your generosity fuels the heart of Twin Cities Pride..." This commitment ensures not only the sustenance of current programs but also the potential for future growth and influence within the LGBTQ+ advocacy space.
This incident with Target and Twin Cities Pride is indicative of the larger national discourse surrounding corporate responsibility, diversity, and community engagement—all of which are increasingly at the forefront of public consciousness.
Moving forward, Twin Cities Pride aims to maintain its focus on creating inclusive spaces and supporting local artists, with the funds raised playing a pivotal role. The organization is determined to fulfill its mission of fostering community, diversity, and inclusivity through the various programs they run year-round, with the community’s support steering future initiatives.