‘Changes And Challenges’: Out Montclair Releases Organizational Update

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The nonprofit that puts on the popular Montclair Pride festival wants to “take a moment to set the record straight.”

Out Montclair – which provides support for the LGBTQIA+ community in the area – is also known for organizing an annual Pride fest that draws thousands of people to the township.

On Friday, the board of trustees issued an update about some “changes and challenges” that the nonprofit has been facing – and their plans for the future. Their statement follows below:

"Out Montclair has long been a pillar of our community, bringing people together to celebrate, support, and uplift LGBTQ+ individuals and allies through programs, events, and advocacy. We remain deeply committed to this mission, but recent changes and challenges have created confusion about the future of our organization and the events our community loves.

"We want to take a moment to set the record straight.

"Over the past several months, Out Montclair has undergone a leadership transition and a financial review to ensure the long-term sustainability of our work. Following the Montclair Pride June 2024 festival and events, it became apparent to the board that the budget presented and managed by its employed staff would not meet one of the key expectations approved by the board, namely, that the annual event serve as a source of financial support for the organization’s year-round services and programming. It is not just an expectation of Out Montclair’s board, but also of the many sponsors, volunteers, and community who expressly participate in Montclair Pride as a means of providing support for the work of Out Montclair.

"Instead of meeting this expectation, review and oversight by Out Montclair’s board revealed that Out Montclair sustained significant losses from last year’s annual event, jeopardizing Out Montclair’s future. We want to caution readers from drawing unkind inferences from this information. Large events are difficult to plan and project, and even the most skilled and experienced planner can experience budget overruns and underperformance. Many factors outside of the control of event organizers can contribute to variances from a budget projection.

"Our commitment has always sought to operate with transparency, fiscal responsibility, and community trust. Previously, Out Montclair’s day-to-day activities were managed through salaried positions that increased substantially year over year. As part of this transition, we made the necessary decision in November to eliminate all salaried positions and operate on a working board model, similar to Out Montclair’s early days, allowing us to focus every dollar raised on supporting programs and events—not administrative overhead. Board members volunteer their time to the organization, often while balancing family, work, and community obligations. We appreciate that the transition may have left many of you frustrated about our response and communication during this period.

"As part of the transition, Out Montclair also scaled back on other areas of its budget, and launched a campaign to raise additional funds. Finally, Out Montclair reviewed how its annual June event and street festival marketed under the Montclair Pride™ name could be continued in a fiscally responsible manner. On February 14, 2025, we will be reaching out directly to vendors, sponsors, and performers to announce our plans for the Montclair Pride 2025 annual festival.

"Shortly after eliminating salaried positions, Out Montclair’s previous executive director sought permission to use Out Montclair’s trademark – Montclair Pride – to plan a similar annual event. Out Montclair continues to engage in those negotiations in good faith and is hopeful for a successful outcome. In the interest of prudent planning, however, Out Montclair is in discussion with other potential producers of the street festival portion of the Montclair Pride annual event should those negotiations prove unsuccessful.

"We realize that the recent launch of another organization in town using a name that closely resembles our trademark has led to understandable confusion. To be clear, Out Montclair remains the only organization with a proven track record of serving the LGBTQ+ community in Montclair through year-round programming.

"The annual June events under the Montclair Pride trademark that have become a highlight for our town—bringing joy to residents, visibility to LGBTQ+ people, economic benefits to local businesses, and financial support to Out Montclair—will continue to be planned and produced by Out Montclair and those vendors specifically authorized to use its trademark.

"For those who have reached out regarding our plans for the Montclair Pride 2025 festival, we will be releasing programming details by February 14, 2025, via e-mail and public posting.

"This period of transition has not been without challenges and the next 30 days play a critical role in determining Out Montclair’s future beyond 2025. We recognize that past operations left us with financial burdens, particularly in producing large-scale events that, while beloved, placed our organization in debt year after year. The previous structure was unsustainable, and our fundraising call in November did not yet fully bridge the gap. However, we believe that the changes implemented, with community support, can restore Out Montclair to financial health and continue to provide the programs and events that matter most to you."

How You Can Help

Donate – A small, recurring donation from supporters like you can make an enormous difference. If every person who follows us on social media or subscribes to our newsletter contributed just $5 per month, we would be on solid financial footing.

Sponsor Our Events – Businesses and organizations that want to be part of Montclair Pride and other key events should partner with Out Montclair, ensuring that support directly benefits community programs and events that we provide. For the many businesses who reached out regarding sponsorship of the Montclair Pride annual festival, sponsorship, vendor, and performer opportunities will be released February 14, 2025.

Volunteer – A stronger Out Montclair starts with dedicated community members stepping up. Whether helping with event planning, outreach, or fundraising, your time and skills matter.

"We acknowledge that there have been tensions in this transition, including concerns over resources and branding. We remain open to discussions that honor our history and prevent further division in the community. However, our priority remains clear: preserving the mission of Out Montclair and its role as a trusted, community-supported organization that operates with integrity and accountability.

"Montclair is a special place, one that deserves an LGBTQ+ organization that puts mission above all else. With your support, we can ensure that this mission and Out Montclair continue to serve this town for years to come.

"Join Us. Support Us. Let’s Move Forward Together."

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