Tri-Cities Pride Launches Inaugural Pride Impact Awards
PASCO, WA — Tri-Cities Pride is excited to announce the launch of the Pride Impact Awards, a new initiative recognizing individuals, community organizations, and businesses strengthening systems of care and nurturing the collective power and wellbeing of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the Mid-Columbia region. Learn more about these awards and how to apply below.
The program was developed in collaboration with Omni Strategies & Co. and formally adopted this year by the Tri-Cities Pride Board of Directors. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the awards program. The Pride Impact Awards expand the role of the annual Tri-Cities Pride Festival beyond celebration, transforming it into a platform that also invests in local leadership, advocacy, and community impact.
“As a teenager, I ran away from the Tri-Cities because I didn’t feel safe being queer and nonbinary here. At a time when local, state, and federal leaders continue to choose discrimination over collaboration and conviviality, I’m proud to launch these small but mighty awards in English and Spanish to celebrate our power and nurture our wellbeing as 2SLGBTQIA+ people here in my hometown,” said Omni Romero, Vice-President of Tri-Cites Pride and Founder of Omni Strategies & Co.
The program is organized around three goals:
Direct Impact Goal: Provide financial support and/or recognition to individuals, community organizations, and businesses advancing 2SLGBTQIA+ wellbeing, collective power, and care locally.
Leadership & Capacity Impact Goal: Strengthen leadership sustainability by increasing recognition and access to new opportunities and networks for recipients.
Systems Impact Goal: Build long-term leadership pipelines and partnerships that increase equity, representation, and civic participation across the region.
PRIDE IMPACT AWARDS
The program includes four awards recognizing leadership that strengthens systems of care and nurtures the collective power and wellbeing of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Power of Pride Award
Tri-Cities Pride’s scholarship initiative supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals pursuing education, vocational training, certification programs, or other learning opportunities. Priority given to youth and individuals facing barriers to leadership opportunities.
2026 Power of Pride Award: One $500 scholarship (paid directly to the recipient)
2026 Power of Pride English Application Link: https://tcpridefest.org/pia/pop/english
2026 Power of Pride Spanish Application Link: https://tcpridefest.org/pia/pop/espanol
Lighthouse of Pride Award
Recognizes individuals whose advocacy, organizing, creativity, or care work expands opportunity and support for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in the region.
2026 Lighthouse of Pride Award: One $500 award (paid directly to the recipient)
2026 Lighthouse of Pride English Application & Nomination Link: https://tcpridefest.org/pia/lop/english
2026 Lighthouse of Pride Spanish Application & Nomination Link: https://tcpridefest.org/pia/lop/espanol
Bridge-builder of Pride Award
Honors nonprofit organizations and community groups advancing 2SLGBTQIA+ wellbeing, collective power, and care through programs, partnerships, or policy leadership.
2026 Bridge-builder of Pride Award: Custom art piece, digital spotlight across our social media channels, free custom training and capacity-building support, and promotional opportunities at our next festival, including a structured opportunity to present on the main stage and waiver of applicable vendor fees for the organization.
2026 Bridge-builder of Pride English Application & Nomination Link: https://tcpridefest.org/pia/bop/english
2026 Bridge-builder of Pride Spanish Application & Nomination Link: https://tcpridefest.org/pia/bop/espanol
Anchor of Pride Award
Recognizes businesses and private-sector partners who demonstrate meaningful and sustained support for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
2026 Anchor of Pride Award: Custom art piece, digital spotlight across our social media channels, free custom training and capacity-building support, and promotional opportunities at our next festival, including a structured opportunity to present on the main stage and waiver of applicable vendor fees for the organization.
2026 Anchor of Pride English Application and Nomination Link: https://tcpridefest.org/pia/aop/english
2026 Anchor of Pride Spanish Application & Nomination Link: https://tcpridefest.org/pia/aop/espanol
APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS FOR THE PRIDE IMPACT AWARDS ARE NOW OPEN AND WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL JUNE 3, 2026 AT 5:00 PM PST.
All applicants and nominees will receive a response by June 9, 2026, and recipients will be publicly announced and celebrated at the Tri-Cities Pride Festival on Sunday June 14, 2026. For additional information or questions please contact omni@tcpridefest.org
About Tri-Cities Pride
Tri-Cities Pride empowers 2SLGBTQIA+ people and the organizations that serve them through advocacy, education, and community-centered programming including our flagship annual Pride Festival. The organization works to empower 2SLGBTQIA+ people and the organizations that serve them. For more information, please contact contact@tcpridefest.org
