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ShareTenant Spotlight: Boston Pride Committee, Inc.
Boston Pride is an all-volunteer organization that serves the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally community by enhancing the visibility of Boston’s LGBT community. The nonprofit coordinates a week of events each June, in conjunction with year-long activities, to promote LGBT awareness, dignity and understanding. Sharing a Vision – and an OfficeAs an all-volunteer group, staff hours and organizational needs are nontraditional, as committee members stop in to work when they can. Until recently, there was no centralized office space, just volunteers’ home offices – quite a challenge for an organization in its 37th year. The NonProfit Center offered a perfect opportunity for Boston Pride to find a permanent home. “We definitely needed to get an office,” said Pierce Durkin, Boston Pride board member and community outreach chair. “We couldn’t keep working out of people’s trunks.” Shared space at the center allows the organization to have an affordable office without the crippling overhead. A Venerable Institution in a New HomeBoston’s pride celebration is one of the oldest in the country, reflecting the history of the gay rights movement. In March 2008, Boston will host a three-day conference of all Pride organizations in the northeast – the 20th such conference, returning to its roots. Boston not only hosted the first northeast conference, but the first international conference in 1982. With Massachusetts being the only state in the United States to legalize same sex marriage, there has been even more to celebrate and make participants proud. Boston Pride continues to break new ground, with Governor Deval Patrick being the first sitting governor to march in the parade. “It symbolizes the progressiveness we’ve got in Massachusetts,” said Board President Linda DeMarco. The governor isn’t the only politician to show his continued support. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino walks every year and kicked off the 2007 festivities with a flag raising on City Hall Plaza.
Pride week events continue to grow each year. Recent additions include Pride Idol and this year’s debut of Paws for Pride, a canine costume contest and celebrity fashion show. The theme for the 2007 celebrations – Ask. Tell. Proud to Serve Our Community, Our Country, Our World. – highlights the diversity of professions in which members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community serve. Testament to Boston Pride’s all-volunteer philosophy, the entire campaign was produced at zero cost. This year the parade had a new route, including a march past the Statehouse on the eve of the June 14 Constitutional Convention and a key vote for the survival of same sex marriage in Massachusetts. Despite cloudy skies, well over 100,000 supporters from across the region attended Boston’s 2007 parade. Part of a Larger Community
Durkin regrets that his schedule doesn’t allow for greater participation in center events, but loves the interactions he does have. “It feels good to be with such great people. Learn more about other NonProfit Center tenant organizations by visiting Our Tenants and Tenant Spotlight sections. |
Developer of the NonProfit Center, Third Sector New England provides leadership and management resources to help nonprofits support healthy communities. Visit tsne.org to find out more.
Last fall brought a new addition to Nonprofit Center, 
When Boston Pride was looking for a permanent home, the NonProfit Center easily became a top choice, according to Pierce Durkin, clerk for the board of directors (left), because it provides “many amenities for an affordable price” and a “friendly environment.” In addition to office space, center tenant organizations have access to conference rooms, a Community Room, IT access, and security and other high quality services. The shared space facilities additionally offer access to shared copying and faxing, and enable the volunteers of Boston Pride to have a quiet place to work while still feeling like part of the larger community.