Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has raised $440K through new fundraising avenues to power year-round community impact.
This year’s result is said to be almost eight times higher than previous years, with Mardi Gras saying it reflects a deliberate strategic shift towards philanthropy.
“This year we significantly strengthened our fundraising approach. We introduced a new option for audiences to donate when purchasing tickets, created additional opportunities for donations across our events – including at the Parade,” said Mardi Gras CEO Jesse Matheson.
“We have also encouraged giving through our corporate and stakeholder events, while more actively communicating the importance of donations in sustaining Mardi Gras’ year-round work.”
Matheson told Gay Sydney Daily that part of the strategy was to highlight that Mardi Gras is more than just a festival producer, it is also a charity.
“Donations directly support our ability to deliver accessible events and invest in community initiatives, which we will continue to build upon,” he said.
“Strengthening this understanding has been central to building a culture of giving that will support the organisation’s long-term sustainability.”
The $440K total includes $93K raised from the inaugural Mardi Gras Gala Bala, alongside $320,000 in corporate contributions, with the remainder from individual donors.
Matheson said donations play a critical role in ensuring Mardi Gras remains accessible and community-focused.
“These contributions help offset the cost of initiatives designed to remove barriers to participation, including discounted ticketing programs such as MobTix, accessible spaces such as Parade Accessible Viewing, and large-scale free community events like Fair Day,” he said.
In years past, the public fund has helped support legacy initiatives, said Matheson, preserving the history and culture of Mardi Gras.
“These projects ensure that the story of our community – its activism, creativity and resilience – continues to be documented and shared with future generations.”
Matheson said in the coming months Mardi Gras will look at how public fund resources can be used to mark the organisation’s 50th anniversary in a couple of years.
“In the coming months we will establish a 50th Anniversary Working Group to consider how Public Fund resources can best be invested to mark the organisation’s 50th anniversary in 2028 and create meaningful, lasting community impact,” he said.
Creating a lasting impact is key, said Mardi Gras co-chairs Kathy Pavlich and Mits Delisle, who want to ensure the organisation behind the festival is as strong as the community it represents.
“This result allows us to invest confidently in governance, people and year-round programs so Mardi Gras can continue to lead, advocate and celebrate for the next fifty years – and beyond.”
The organisation’s goal is now to reach $550K before the end of the financial year in June.
In particular, Mardi Gras is hoping for recurring donations from the community, saying it could generate an additional $100K if “If 500 people commit to a recurring donation of $50 a month between now and June.”
“If Mardi Gras has ever made you feel proud, connected or hopeful, especially this season, this is a way to help sustain that feeling for others,” said Matheson.
