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Partnering for Joy, Power, Culture, and Community.

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At a time of increasing political attacks, cultural erasure, and historic disinvestment in Black LGBTQIA+ communities, your partnership is more than financial— it's a statement of solidarity.

 

Organizations like BLAQ Equity are facing a rising need and falling support. Now more than ever, your commitment helps ensure our survival, our celebrations, and our organizing.

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We are proud to offer partners a year-round opportunity to invest in Black LGBTQIA+ Baltimore through robust cultural programming, community initiatives, leadership development, and movement-building work — including our flagship October celebration, Baltimore BLAQ Pride.

What Your Support Makes Possible

Your contribution helps sustain:

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  • Our Annual BLAQ Pride Celebration and Icon Awards Gala, honoring our legacy, culture, and resilience

  • Paid opportunities to Black LGBTQIA+ creatives and leaders

  • Free community events that center the Black queer experience

  • Leadership and organizing trainings for Black LGBTQIA+ Youth & Adults

  • The BLAQ Archive Project to preserve and share our local histories

  • Community aid, direct support, and grassroots organizing that serve our most vulnerable community members

  • Offer space-making and public education programming that builds solidarity across communities

In 2024, during BLAQ Pride we were able to curate several cultural events that celebrated, affirmed and financially supported Baltimore’s Black queer creative communities. The month-long festival provided activities that included: workshops, a garden party, silent disco, music performances, fashion shows, comedy performances, and more!


WE UPLIFTED OUR CULTURE 

  • Curated 7 events that center the voices and diverse stories of Black SGL individuals.

  • Curated 5 events that intentionally bring Black people of diverse ages, genders, and sexualities together to share dialogue and build culture.

  • Curated a series of 12 events with over 1,000 diverse audience members

 

WE PROVIDED PAID OPPORTUNITIES

  • Provided 95 Black sexual and gender minority people from Baltimore with paid opportunities to showcase their creative endeavors.

  • Ensured that 55% of creatives hired identified as Trans, bisexual, gender non-conforming, woman, or HIV positive.

 

WE CENTERED BLACK WELLNESS

  • Provide opportunities to connect LGBTQIA+ Communities to resources and services that support their wellness.

 

WE CONNECTED COMMUNITY

  • Provided networking opportunities for 160 Black LGBTQIA+ creatives.

  • Provided opportunities for non-LGBTQ Black people to hear the stories and connect with Black SGL individuals to affirm similarities and celebrate differences.

Partnership Tiers

COMMUNITY PARTNER ($500–$1,500)

We build block by block, heart by heart.
 
• Logo on website
• Vendor table at two BLAQ Equity events
• 2 Icon Awards Gala tickets
 

Your gift at this level could:
→ Cover interpretation/translation services to expand access
→ Cover event permits, insurance, or neighborhood outreach costs
→ Help with ride shares or transportation for elders or disabled attendees

SOLIDARITY PARTNER ($1,500–$5,000)

Standing with us matters.

• Logo listing on website 
• 1 social media shoutout per month
• 1/8-page ad in BLAQ Pride Guide
• Vendor table at two BLAQ Equity events
• 4 Icon Awards Gala tickets
 

Your gift at this level could:
→ Fund printing of zines, flyers, and educational tools
→ Pay for meals and venue rental for a community conversation
→ Provide comfort and accessibility items like fans, tents, water, and PPE at outdoor events

CULTURE PARTNER ($5,000–$10,000)

For those who help us make the world we want to live in.
 
• Logo listing on website
 •2x/month social media shoutouts
• Quarter-page ad in BLAQ Pride Guide
• Vendor table at three BLAQ Equity events
• 4 Icon Awards Gala tickets

 
Your gift at this level could:
→ Help fund a BLAQ Ball or arts showcase
→ Provide honoraria for speakers, panelists, or culture workers
→ Help cover Pride accessibility tools like captioning, mobility seating, and ASL

MOVEMENT PARTNER ($10,000–$15,000)

Because change doesn’t happen without movement.
 
• Logo listing on website
 • Logo on digital & print materials
• 3x/month social media posts
• Vendor table at six BLAQ Equity events
• Vendor table at BLAQ Pride
• Half-page ad in BLAQ Pride Guide
• 8 Icon Awards Gala tickets
 

Your gift at this level could:
→ Bring community organizing trainings to neighborhoods across Baltimore
→ Develop youth organizing toolkits or digital zines featuring Baltimore-based leaders
→ Provide aid for Black LGBTQIA+ folks in crisis or microgrants for community members

LIBERATION PARTNER ($15,000–$25,000)

Uplifting dreams of freedom and fostering a better future today
 
• Logo listing on website
 •Logo on all printed & digital materials
• 4x/month social media shoutouts
• Free vendor booth at BLAQ Pride
• Full-page ad in BLAQ Pride Guide
• Vendor/exhibitor space at 6 official BLAQ Equity events
• 8 Icon Awards Gala tickets + priority seating

 
Your gift at this level could:
→ Fund a mini-grant program for Black LGBTQIA+ artists or healers
→ Help archive and digitize key pieces of local Black LGBTQ history
→ Develop paid youth fellowships or elder-in-residence roles to pass down knowledge

LEGACY PARTNER ($25,000+)

Built to honor those who lead with vision.
 
• Named as Presenting Partner on all materials
• Logo on all press, ads, flyers, and billboards
• 4x/month social media shoutouts
• Full-page ad in BLAQ Pride Guide
• Vendor/exhibitor space at all major BLAQ Equity events
• Featured on the homepage of our website + newsletter spotlights
 • 8 Icon Awards Gala tickets + priority seating
• Opportunity for stage remarks at the Icon Awards Gala


Your gift at this level could:
→ Fund a full season of holistic community programming
→ Help cover 3–5 months of operational staffing and costs
→ Underwrite year-round leadership development training

Build a Giving Experience That Reflects You

We’re always open to tailoring a sponsorship to fit your values and goals. If your company or foundation has a specific area of interest (like youth programs, health & wellness, or creative arts), let’s build something aligned— together.

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