Explanation
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the City Clerk to enter a grant agreement with Stonewall Columbus, Inc., a non-profit corporation, to provide upfront support for their year-round programming and general operations, including Stonewall Columbus Pride. This will take the form of a gold-level 2026 Pride 365 sponsor. Stonewall Columbus Pride itself is a program of the organization, so all funds raised from events - whether from Rainbow Room tickets, merchandise like t-shirts, or other Pride-related sales - are directed to support Stonewall Columbus, Inc. via the Pride 365 model.
The Pride 365 model is designed to sustain Stonewall Columbus, Inc.’s year-round operations so the organization can continue providing services, connections to resources, and inclusive programming for the LGBTQ+ community well beyond Pride weekend and the month of June. According to the organization, Pride 365 sponsorships constituted nearly one-third of the organization's revenue in 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds are available in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, subfund 100018.
REASON FOR EMERGENCY: June is Pride month and Stonewall Columbus Pride is scheduled for June 19th and 20th, meaning that Stonewall Columbus, Inc. has likely already begun to incur expenses associated with event planning. To ensure that funds are made available to the organization as soon as possible to defray the cost of Stonewall Columbus Pride, and to meet sponsorship deadlines, emergency designation is requested.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Clerk to enter a grant agreement with Stonewall Columbus, Inc., a non-profit corporation, to provide upfront financial support for their year-round programming and general operations, including Stonewall Columbus Pride; to authorize an expenditure from the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($10,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Stonewall Columbus, Inc. organizes Stonewall Columbus Pride annually in Columbus, Ohio; and
WHEREAS, the organization seeks sponsorships to support its operations and programming throughout the year; and
WHEREAS, such sponsorships constituted nearly one-third of Stonewall Columbus, Inc.'s revenue in 2025; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City Clerk's office insofar as Stonewall Columbus Pride 2026 will take place in mid-June, meaning Stonewall Columbus, Inc. is already incurring expenses to plan and organize the event; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to enter a grant agreement with Stonewall Columbus, Inc. in support of Stonewall Columbus Pride.
SECTION 2. That per the action authorized in SECTION 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $10,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereunto, where is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.