Support Us

You’ve Seen Our Work

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Bolingbrook Pride was founded in April 2018. Just six weeks later, we hosted our first-ever Pride Picnic & Puppies with 18 local business donors, 35 volunteers, and more than 250 attendees who came together in love and the pursuit of a more accepting community.

In 2019, our second picnic welcomed over 1,000 attendees, with 45 vendors, two bands, two food trucks, trans support services, a Free Hug Tent, Faith Village, community yoga, bounce houses, face painting, corporate sponsors, and the support of the mayors of both Bolingbrook and Romeoville. That year, 60 volunteers worked together to create a joyful, family-friendly celebration for all ages.

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During the pandemic, when large gatherings weren’t possible, we didn’t sit still—we got creative.

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• We provided material support to the 2020 BLM march in Bolingbrook.

• We shared Profiles in Pride, a Facebook series spotlighting Black LGBTQ+ leaders throughout history.

• We co-founded the Will County Pride Coalition and helped design and lead the LGBTQ&A virtual roundtable series, reaching nearly 3,000 people.

• We created and distributed a Gender Spectrum Resource Guide to schools, support groups, and individuals across the region.

• We sponsored a financial planning event tailored to LGBTQ+ families and business owners.

• We launched Journey to Pride, a peer-to-peer support group for LGBTQ+ adults.

• We successfully petitioned the Village of Bolingbrook to recognize Pride Month, and Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta made the first official proclamation in 2021.

• We organized a safe, outdoor community art event—Paint with Pride—in June 2021, with over 150 volunteers painting messages of love and affirmation around the village pond when connection was needed most.

 

And we’ve only grown from there.

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From 2022 to 2024, we raised the Pride flag over Village Hall each June. We've hosted four Friendsgiving dinners (and planning a fifth), welcoming over 90 people each year to a warm, affirming, chosen-family celebration. In 2024, our fourth Pride Picnic drew more than 2,000 attendees, 90 vendors, and 3 food trucks, with activities for all ages: trans support services, puppy cuddles and adoptions, balloon artists, DJs, face painting, bounce houses, and more. We also collected 500+ donations for two local food pantries and donated duffel bags to foster kids through Lutheran Child and Family Services.

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Every event we host is a chance to show our elected officials and neighbors that LGBTQ+ inclusion is not just welcome in Bolingbrook - it’s thriving.

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In addition to our major events, we now offer monthly programs like a youth drop-in, youth social club, and adult social gatherings to ensure year-round connection and support.

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You Share Our Values

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• Social Equality: We believe in intersectional work that promotes fairness, inclusion, and justice for all.

• Voice & Action: We uplift LGBTQ+ voices and push leaders to act on behalf of our community.

• Empowerment: We empower youth, leaders, and neighbors to create positive change.

• Positive Change: We’re building a stronger LGBTQ+ and ally community in Bolingbrook and beyond.

• Diversity: We celebrate and welcome the richness of all identities and experiences.

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Your support, whether through a donation, sponsorship, or volunteering, helps us create meaningful events, produce affirming resources, and reach more people with a message of love and belonging. A personal gift helps foster understanding. A corporate sponsorship helps fund printed materials, event advertising, and community outreach, positioning your business as a leader in suburban LGBTQ+ inclusion.

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You Want to Be Involved

 

We’d love that. Whether you're ready to table, donate goods, sponsor a program, or help paint sidewalks, we have a place for you.

Contact us today to get involved.