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CBS News
24-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
2 summer kickoff events in Denver struggle to find normal funding
As the weather continues to get warmer in the "Mile High City," people are going to want to get out of their homes and find something to do. But two of Denver's most popular summer kickoff events are having a hard time finding funding. CBS One of them is the annual Juneteenth celebration. For at least the past sixty years, every June, Denver's Five Points neighborhood has been celebrating the holiday, which is a celebration of the emancipation of Black slaves after centuries of bondage in the U.S. "I call it a cultural treasure chest," said Norman Harris the executive director of JMF Corporation, the charity that organizes Juneteenth. "It's really like a reunion and a great launch to the summer." For the past few years, the festival has grown into a two-day event that includes vendors, musicians and a parade. But this year is shaping up to look much different. "Unfortunately, we'll be doing it on a Sunday and not both Saturday and Sunday," Harris explained. Harris says they have lost corporate sponsors. Some they've had for more than 10 years, and he isn't sure why. "Companies and organizations, people are going to put their money where their hearts are, and so, at some point, the Juneteenth celebration has just been deprioritized," Harris said. They aren't alone. The Center on Colfax, which organizes Pride month, which also takes place in June, says it too has seen a dip in funding. In a statement, The Center on Colfax, said, "Denver Pride has experienced a decrease in funding when compared to previous years for our festival, parade and 5K. Some organizations that have participated in years past have only been able to return at lower levels of sponsorship, and others have even been unable to return entirely due to rollbacks of DEI budgets caused by national legislation." "Denver Pride is unique from other pride events of our size in that it is both entirely free to attend and serves as the biggest annual fundraiser for our local LGBTQ+ community center, The Center on Colfax," the statement continued. "Eighty-three percent of all contributions to The Center are directed back to our community through the vital programming we offer year-round to our LGBTQ+ community free-of-charge. The decrease in funding we are experiencing puts these critical services at risk, such as mental health support, programming for our trans and gender diverse community, youth, older adults, and more." "We are grateful for our partners who have returned and the members of the LGBTQ+ employee resource groups who have made significant efforts to continue funding us, as this allows us to keep Denver Pride an accessible, free event for our community," end of statement. Organizers for both events haven't given up yet. They say they are still raising money to try to bring the best experience possible to the people. Harris says he isn't sure if DEI rollbacks are to blame for his funding shortages, but, regardless, he and his crew will put on the best event money will allow. "Oh, there's definitely going to be a Juneteenth celebration. It's a part of the core fabric of this city's cultural experience," Harris said.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Denver's Juneteenth Music Festival in urgent need of funding for 2025 event
DENVER (KDVR) — Denver's Juneteenth Music Festival is asking the public to help ensure the event can continue after a sharp decline in corporate sponsorships. This year's festival will be scaled back to one day only on Sunday, June 15 — that is, if enough funding is raised. Denver history: How jazz music formed the 'Harlem of the West' in Five Points Event organizers at JMF Corporation, the nonprofit behind the annual event, announced in a press release Monday that it is in urgent need of funding to ensure that it can still take place. 'The decision to scale back follows the loss of several long-time sponsors amid shifting corporate priorities and a changing philanthropic landscape,' JMF Corporation said in the release. Now, the nonprofit must raise $80,000 to ensure that the Juneteenth Music Festival continues and remains free to all. Executive Director of JMF Corporation Norman Harris told FOX31's Greg Nieto that the situation could turn out far better than anticipated. 'This could be a blessing in disguise, I don't know,' Harris said. 'We haven't received explanations from some of these companies that we've been working with.' The organization said it is determined to keep the legacy of Juneteenth strong and thriving in Five Points. 'I believe it's a part of the cultural fabric of our city,' Harris said. Now, organizers are calling on individuals, local businesses and grassroots organizations for support. 'This is more than a festival—it's a declaration that our stories, our culture, and our presence matter,' Harris said. 'We know that values shift and priorities change — but our community stays rooted. We're not scaling back our commitment, just the footprint. And with our community by our side, we'll rise to meet this moment and keep Juneteenth alive in the streets of Five Points.' The event has previously been two days and has drawn tens of thousands of people from across the state 'to honor the legacy of Black liberation through music, art, and community gathering,' the organization said. The organization said this year's festival will still include live performances, the historic Juneteenth Parade, youth zone, health zone and a showcase of Black-owned businesses. Chuck Yearman attends the festival annually. 'I think that's unfortunate for something that's so historic, so meaningful,' he said. 'It kinda brings the whole neighborhood together.' Anyone can make a donation on the Juneteenth Music Festival website. Why RiNo and LoDo aren't listed in Denver's neighborhoods The Juneteenth Music Festival will be one of fewer than normal chances that Denverites have to celebrate Black history in the Five Points neighborhood. The traditional Five Points Jazz Festival will not return in 2025, and instead, the new Five Points Jazz Activation Fund will go toward businesses, nonprofits and creatives to be used for jazz and jazz-related programs throughout the year. One of those opportunities was the Five Points Jazz Roots event in February. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
