Capital City Pride Faces Corporate Sponsorship Decline

Capital City Pride, a prominent LGBT event in Des Moines, Iowa, is facing a significant loss of corporate backing as it gears up for the festival in June 2025.

The event might see a drop of up to $75,000 in sponsorships, according to Wes Mullins, its executive director. This decline is part of a larger trend where companies have become cautious about their involvement in pride events, particularly during Donald Trump’s second term as president.

Trump has increased scrutiny on corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, especially through a series of executive orders he enacted on the first full day of his second term.

Despite these challenges, Capital City Pride continues with its planning. Recent updates about the event schedule were shared by Axios.

However, it’s noted that some traditional sponsors, such as national and Central American energy companies, have not renewed their commitments. Nonetheless, a spokesperson for MidAmerican Energy stated that some employees will still join the parade to represent the company.

Current sponsors for Capital City Pride include Google, Local5ABC, Microsoft, and The Iowa Cubs, which is associated with the minor leagues of the Chicago Cubs.

Other large corporations are also being strategic with their participation in statewide pride events, opting for reduced sponsorships yet maintaining public support. For example, MasterCard has chosen not to renew its platinum-level sponsorship of the NYC Pride March for 2025 and plans a smaller role in the event.

Additionally, Pepsico and Nissan have also pulled their sponsorships for the NYC Pride March, highlighting a broader trend. San Francisco Pride is reportedly encountering similar funding difficulties this year as corporate sponsors re-evaluate their involvement.