Prideraiser 2023

What is Prideraiser?

Prideraiser is a coalition of independent soccer supporters groups that raise money for local LGBTQ2+ charities throughout the month of June. Money is raised using the pledge system where at the end of the campaign, you then send your total donation directly to the charity of the campaign’s choosing. The total amount you send is calculated by multiplying your pledged amount and the accelerator (which is specified on the campaign page). You can also edit your pledge up until the end of the campaign.

Who are we supporting?

Much like 2022, we are supporting Rainbow Refugee. They are a Vancouver based community group that supports refugees seeking protection in Canada due of persecution based on sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression or HIV status in their homeland. This organization was put forward by a few of our members as an organization they like and trust. We have extended an invite for everyone associated with the group to come to a matchday and the club will be providing the necessary tickets.

Why Pride and Prideraiser?

We all believe that people, regardless of how they choose to express themselves, should be able to attend a football match free from any harrassment. Being a diverse group of individuals that had come together, it was suggested that based on the progressive nature of the campaign, that it would be a good fit for our group.

How do we celebrate Prideraiser?

If you’ve been to a game at Swangard, you’ve probably noticed at least one pride flag hanging from a railing behind the south goal. One of our core beliefs is that all are welcome. We decided that we should mark the start and close of the fundraising campaign with a Pride smoke display. This year, our first will be on June 3rd (home games vs Rivers FC from Kamloops) and our 2nd will be on June 24 (away games vs Unity FC at Trinity Western University). The last game of the campaign is an away game to Rivers (Kamloops) but creating a smoke display requires people and money and we know we can get people to travel to Langley.
While each group is responsible for organizing their own activities for the month, they are provided the opportunity to purchase a pre-designed scarf, unique to the year for purchase or re-distribute within given parameters. Each campaign leader, along with a group of volunteers that keep the Prideraiser site going, has access to a shared workspace to ask whatever questions or raise any issues they have.

Is the club involved with Prideraiser?

Yes and No. Our club has a history of charitable activity and they were thrilled to find out we joined up with Prideraiser to do a little charity work of our own. They were eager to help from the beginning, but due to time constraints last year, we decided to wait until this year. As a result, we have a very generous donor that will be matching all amounts during our campaign. We have not formally asked the club to help, but any promotion of our campaign will be done on their own volition.

Is there any financial gain for the Swanguardians?

No. We do not take a cut of any Prideraiser merchandise we may sell or funds that we raise. We need to cover the cost of the merchandise and any excess will go to Rainbow Refugee.

What can you do?

You can pledge as much as you want to or can afford to. Your per goal pledge amount will be recorded on the Prideraiser website. You can also track the number of goals scored on our campaign page. This information will get updated at the conclusion of every gameday. At the end of the campaign, you will receive an email from Prideraiser asking you to submit your pledged amount.
This year, we are doing things slightly differently. The club and Charitable Impact, on our behalf, have worked with the Prideraiser staff to ensure all the donations are still recorded as a part of the larger campaign, but still get matched to maximize the donated amount. You will receive a tax receipt.

For more information:

Prideraiser: www.prideraiser.org
Pledge page: swanguardians.prideraiser.org
Rainbow Refugee: www.rainbowrefugee.com
Charitable Impact: www.charitableimpact.com

All photography taken by/property of @residualimage/@aftn