Hello, my name is Jennifer Donlon, I am the founder of Roswell Empowered--a grassroots community group with the goal of becoming a 501c3. June 21, 2025 we held the first ever Pride Walk in Roswell. Over 600 people showed up and walked with their family, friends, neighbors, allies, and chosen family down Canton Street in Downtown Roswell. It was a day full of so much joy and solidarity. Next year we hope to not only have another walk, but to also have a small festival!
In order to host a festival--even a small one--it takes a good chunk of money. I humbly ask for your support in raising the funds for a party that Roswell not only deserves to have, but needs. Now more than ever it is so important for LGBTQ+ youth (and adults) to feel seen, supported, loved, and celebrated.
Our plan is to ask City Hall to allow us to shut down Canton Street for a parade and follow up with a festival in the Gate City/Rock'n Taco lot managed by 12 Oaks. We have been in contact with both City Hall and 12 Oaks and have our needed monetary goals. Whether we get the street shut down or not, we plan to still host the walk (staying on the sidewalks again) and then still have the festival in the parking lot.
UPDATE- We unfortunately will not be able to shut down Canton Street, but the walk will still take place on the sidewalks down Canton and we will still have the festival portion in the 12 Oaks lot.
While we wait for 501c3 status, we will collect donations on GoFundMe. Once 501c3 status is granted and our EIN account is set up, the funds will be transferred to that account and allocated solely for Pride Walk & Fest Roswell '26. Be on the lookout for other fundraising events as well leading up to June 2026!
Please share this GoFundMe far and wide and thank you in advance for your support, allyship, and generosity.
What do we need all that money for?? We will always be transparent, so here's the estimated breakdown after intial research:
UPDATE- We unfortunately will not be able to shut down Canton Street, but the walk will still take place on the sidewalks down Canton and we will still have the festival portion in the 12 Oaks lot. Updated fundraising goals breakdown below:
Bounce House Rental- $300.00
Generators Rental- $200.00
Tent/Table/Chair Rental- $790.00
Entertainment/PA System- $2,000.00
Lot Lease (up until 5pm)- $1,500.00
Portable Toilets- $520.00
Merch/Swag/Goodies/Decorations- $3,000.00
Volunteer Shirts- $1,500.00
Portable Trash Cans/Cleaning Materials- $100.00
Estimated Total- $9,910.00
Links to articles about the Inaugural Pride Walk Roswell 2025:
https://www.appenmedia.com/alpharetta_roswell/photos-pride-walk-roswell-draws-hundreds/article_397d8020-cd6a-444b-bb31-ba43f24f0229.html
https://picturestoryteller.com/2025/06/21/three-cameras-and-a-flash-how-i-covered-roswells-first-pride-parade/
https://www.appenmedia.com/alpharetta_roswell/group-schedules-pride-walk-down-roswell-s-canton-street/article_a081ea6f-5394-4b29-bc2f-629916400dfb.html
Organizer
Jennifer Donlon
Organizer
Roswell, GA