What’s the current status of the Pride Center?

The Pride Center is in a period of transition. After facing serious financial challenges, the Board of Directors made the difficult decision to pause operations and take time to stabilize the organization and rebuild the right way. This includes conducting a full financial review, building stronger governance systems, conducting a community needs assessment, and reimagining, with our community, what the Pride Center can and should offer the next generation of LGBTQ+ Vermonters. You can read the full community update from the Board, which outlines what led to this moment and how we’re moving forward, here.

Is the SafeSpace program still operating?

Yes. Following the Pride Center’s operational pause, the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence generously agreed to house the SafeSpace Anti-Violence Program to ensure uninterrupted support for survivors. This means SafeSpace advocates are still available, now as part of the Vermont Network’s statewide network of service providers. You can reach SafeSpace through the Vermont Network or by calling the same hotline number: (802) 863-0003.

Is Steps to End Domestic Violence still covering the SafeSpace Hotline? 

No. SafeSpace advocates are covering the hotline through the Vermont Network. Steps to End Domestic Violence was covering the hotline temporarily while we worked on SafeSpace’s transition to operate with the Vermont Network. SafeSpace advocates have now returned to covering the hotline through the Vermont Network under their previous hours: Monday-Thursday 10am-6pm and Friday 10am-2pm.

Is the Pride Center closing?

No. While day to day operations and programming are paused, the Pride Center remains an active nonprofit organization led by a volunteer Board of Directors. Our mission – to support, celebrate, and advocate for 2STLGBQIA+ Vermonters – continues to guide every decision we make about the Center’s future. 

Which services have been paused? 

Most community programming and events are temporarily paused during this restructuring period. This includes support groups, community gatherings, and outreach initiatives that depended on staff and physical space. Some services are continuing under partner organizations. 

1. 1. Safespace Program: Active. Services continue under the Vermont Network. Learn more at https://www.safespacevt.org/ 
   2. Trans Program: Paused.
   3. Thrive Program (QTBIPOC): Paused.
   4. Health & Wellness Program: Paused. 2STLBBQIA+ Vermonters can continue to access queer-inclusive HIV prevention and support services, as well as harm reduction services, through VT Cares. 
   5. Queer Archives: Active. Folks can continue to access our historical archives at Outright during our operational pause.  
   6. Affirming Provider Database: Active. Our online resources will continue to be accessible during this pause. 
   7. GLOW, Momentum, Disabilities Network: Previously deactivated. These prior programs were deactivated in the years prior to our operational pause. 

Can I still visit or use the Pride Center’s physical space?

No. PCVT moved out of its physical space as of October 31, 2025. This decision was made before the operational pause and reflects our shift to more remote, state-wide work, the high costs of maintaining such a large space, and a mismatch between program needs and what the space provided. 

How can I contact the Pride Center?

During this transition, the best way to reach us is by email at: board@pridecentervt.org. Due to the high volume of emails we receive, volunteer Board members may not be able to respond to each inquiry. Instead, general questions may be incorporated into future FAQ responses. The SafeSpace program can be reached through its new host organization, the Vermont Network.

Who is leading the Pride Center right now?

The Pride Center is currently led by its Board of Directors, a volunteer group of community members committed to stabilizing the organization and planning for its next chapter. The Board is working closely with advisors, partner organizations, and community stakeholders to ensure that future leadership structures are transparent, accountable, and rooted in community trust.

If you are interested in applying to serve on the Board, please fill out this application. If you are otherwise interested in volunteering your time or expertise to help shape the future of the Pride Center, please contact us at board@pridecentervt.org.

How did we get here?

Since its inception, the Pride Center has been heavily reliant on state grant funding. State grants operate on a funding model that required us to spend money first and get reimbursed later. This model created constant cash-flow challenges, particularly because the timing of  reimbursement payments could be unpredictable. 

Over time, reimbursement delays, combined with rising costs and under-resourced fundraising capacity, left the Center with mounting debt and very little flexibility. In 2025, a major $200,000 reduction in government HIV-prevention funding–one of our core grants–pushed the organization into an unsustainable position. When another reimbursement delay hit this fall, the organization no longer had the cash on hand to make payroll.

Rather than asking staff to continue working without guaranteed pay, the Board made the difficult decision to pause operations. This decision was not made lightly. It was the culmination of years of financial strain, insufficient development expertise, and an unsustainable funding structure. It was also an act of accountability: a chance to stop the cycle of financial crisis and rebuild the organization on stronger, more transparent footing.

You can read a full explanation of how we got here and the steps being taken to rebuild responsibly in our October 21, 2025 Community Update.

What steps are being taken to ensure this doesn’t happen again?

The Board is conducting a full organizational reset, with support from outside advisors, to identify exactly what needs to change. Theses steps include:

• • • Conducting a full independent financial review.
    • Undertaking a retrospective analysis with former organizational leaders, staff, partners, and participants to understand what worked and what went wrong over our organizational history. 
    • Implementing tighter financial oversight and governance protocols, led by new board members with nonprofit management & financial expertise..
    • Conducting a community needs assessment to shape program priorities moving forward. 
    • Hiring an experienced interim Executive Director to lead day-to-day management while long-term leadership structures are rebuilt.
    • Exploring and securing more sustainable funding that is less vulnerable to shifting government priorities.

Our goal is to build a new model that centers accountability, equity, and stability. 

What happened to former staff?

When the Pride Center paused operations, the Board ensured that all employees were paid for their time worked and for up to two weeks of accrued paid time off. In addition, staff who received health insurance through the Pride Center were able to continue coverage through the end of October, and received a stipend to offset the costs of obtaining health insurance for the month of November. The decision to pause when we did was, in part, to uphold the obligation to ensure staff are paid for their work, and to avoid asking staff to continue working in a financially unstable environment.

We recognize that this decision was painful and disruptive for the staff and the broader community. Many former team members remain deeply connected to the organization’s mission, and we are grateful for their service and leadership. This pause is not a reflection of the immense value they brought to the organization.

Why did the Pride Center move out of its physical space?

The organization’s lease and overhead costs were a major expense, and moving out was an important step toward financial recovery. The original plan to exit the lease early was unrelated to the operational pause, but rather tied to a potential sale of the building, which fell through. When we announced the operational pause, we negotiated an early termination of our lease, freeing the organization from a large recurring cost and creating space to rethink what kind of physical presence we need moving forward.

When the Pride Center moved out of its physical space, where did everything go?

All essential records and materials were securely stored. Items belonging to specific programs were transitioned to the appropriate partner organization or kept in secure storage. The Queer Archives were temporarily relocated to Outright, so that students and the broader community can continue to access those historical materials during the pause. Some furniture and decor were donated to Habitat for Humanity’s Restore. Personal hygiene products like soap, hand sanitizer, and tampons, as well as kitchen products like plastic utensils and paper coffee cups were donated to COTS. Some office furniture, office supplies, and programmatic materials were put into storage for our next location.  Nothing was discarded without consideration for its significance to the community or the Center’s history.

When will you re-open?

The Pride Center of Vermont does not have a set reopening date yet. This pause is intentional and temporary; it allows us to rebuild thoughtfully. Before re-opening, we plan to conduct a community needs assessment to make sure that our offerings reflect Vermont’s current landscape and are responsive to the most pressing needs of our community, without duplicating the work of partner organizations. To resist the mission creep that can spread small organizations too thin, we need to focus on doing a few things well. We also need to conduct a full outside financial review, build strong internal governance systems, and secure sustainable long-term funding so that the Pride Center can continue to serve our community long into the future. This work will take time. Once the new strategic framework and budget are finalized, we will announce a clear plan and timeline for reopening. In the meantime, we are committed to keeping our community informed through regular updates.

We know the Pride Center  is deeply missed, and we share that urgency. But our priority is to ensure that when we reopen, it is on solid, sustainable, and transparent footing. 

How can I get involved?

• • • Share your feedback & vision for the Pride Center at an upcoming community listening session (details coming soon).
    • Stay connected through our email newsletter and social media updates for ongoing opportunities to participate.
    • Volunteer. No matter your expertise, whether group facilitation, event planning, or picking up heavy objects, we are grateful for each and every volunteer willing to help support our community during this pause. 
    • Join our Board. We are actively recruiting new members who bring diverse perspectives and experience in areas like nonprofit finance, development, and governance. Even if you have limited availability and cannot commit to a full Board position,  you can still serve on sub-committees as a community member.
    • Spread the word. Tell your community about the transformation we are undertaking, and invite them to be a part of it. 
    • Become a sustaining monthly donor. By making a sustaining monthly donation, even modest amounts can go a long way, allowing us to plan for the future. 
    • Host a fundraiser. To learn more about hosting a Pride Eats or Pride Shops event at your local business, please contact us at  board@pridecentervt.org.

Are you accepting new Board members?

Yes. The Pride Center’s Board is actively recruiting new members who bring diverse perspectives and experience in areas like nonprofit finance, development, and governance.  

Do you plan to hire or re-hire staff? 

Yes, but not immediately. Once the organization has a clear financial plan for sustainable funding and operational structure, the Board intends to hire staff as part of a phased re-launch. This will begin with hiring an interim executive director who brings experience in nonprofit management and community development.

Why should I continue donating to the Pride Center of Vermont?

Because we cannot rely on government funding to sustain us, and the work is not over. The Pride Center has been Vermont’s home for 2STLGBQIA+ advocacy, community care, and education for over 25 years. And our community needs us more than ever. Your support helps preserve this critical community infrastructure while we rebuild responsibly and intentionally. Donating now ensures that PCVT can stabilize, maintain core mission commitments, and re-emerge stronger.

What will my donation go toward right now?

Every dollar is used with care and accountability. Current funding priorities include:

• Financial stabilization and governance reform to ensure long-term organizational health.
• Community engagement and listening efforts to co-create Pride Center’s future with those most impacted.
• Interim leadership and strategic planning to build systems that support transparency, equity, and inclusion.

How much money does the Pride Center need to re-open?

After a one-time infusion of funds to stabilize, the Pride Center is looking for sustainable funding streams that can reduce reliance on government funding. In order to finalize an annual budget, our next step is to conduct our community needs assessment to ensure our offerings best meet those needs. The exact total of that future budget depends on what our community co-designs as the future model. Once a relaunch framework and budget are finalized, the Board will share detailed financial targets and fundraising goals publicly. What we can promise is that every dollar raised and every decision made will align with the values of transparency, accountability, and community ownership.

How will I know how my donation is being used?

Transparency is a core value of this transition. Donors will receive:

• Monthly public updates posted on the PCVT website and shared via newsletter.
• Quarterly summaries detailing progress toward financial and programmatic goals.
• An annual impact statement once the Center re-launches operations.

I’m interested in contributing, but I have more questions. Who can I speak to?

You can reach out to the Board directly at board@pridecentervt.org.