Fort Wayne Pride

Pride has been celebrated for decades in Fort Wayne, but the celebration we know and love first took place in 1998 at Freimann Square. From there venues changed from Foellinger Theater to Lawton Park to the West Side of Headwaters to our current home of the East Side festival plaza. Throughout the years our crowds have grown from 100 to over 20,000 during the two day event. One thing has remained the same and that is Pride’s commitment to bringing safe, fun events to the LGBTQ community and our straight allies. None of this would be possible if it wasn’t for our volunteer Board of Directors. FW Pride is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to educating the community about LGBTQ issues and addressing needs that arise within our community. Pride also gives back to the community in various ways including supporting other nonprofits, providing assistance to low-income LGBTQ families, and awarding scholarships to LGBTQ people pursuing higher education. The Pride Center was opened in the summer of 2022 to continue growing and supporting Fort Wayne’s LGBTQ community. All donations are tax-deductible.

From This Day Forward Events Ministry

From This Day Forward helps those on a budget to plan and celebrate life events. The shop sells off-the-rack wedding dresses, wedding attire for mothers and attendants, as well as other wearable items. They also have a decor side of the business which rents at a reasonable rate, props and decorations, linens and silk flowers. They help with planning the event and guide clients to plan and stick to a budget.

LDOFW Lost Dogs of Ft. Wayne

An organization that provides a platform for lost/found pets, provide community outreach for pets, free microchipping, safe containment education and help if needed, and help raise and provide funds for emergency vet care for injured pets.

Special Friends of Ft. Wayne

A not-for-profit formed by a group of families who have special need adults, wanting to provide activities to enhance their quality of life.

Summit Equestrian Center
A community where the bond between horses and individuals changes lives. Mission: We are the connection between the healing power of the horse and individuals. A program that serves the veteran population using horses to assist with PTSD and provide emotional support. This program also provides specialized equine assisted therapy to children, teens, adults, and Veterans to help overcome obstacles they/we face in our daily lives by working with our horses. Many of our horses are rescues and have trauma of their own too. Together with connection and compassion participants are able to heal from their trauma. We lost our mentor, friend, and executive director, Allison Wheaton and her husband Randy along with their two fur babies Jack and Bernadette November 26, 2023 and we are striving to carry on her amazing legacy and keeping her spirit alive.