Brighton Bear Weekend CIC (BBW) has named Pride Community Foundation CIC (PCF) as its official grant-giving partner, marking a new chapter in how the legendary community event puts money raised by its attendees to work across LGBTQ+ Brighton and beyond.
BBW is one of the city's best-loved community events – a volunteer-run series of gatherings built around the bear community and its friends, with warmth, inclusivity and affordability at its heart. Each year the weekend draws a growing crowd to Brighton's seafront and venues in and around the village, raising funds alongside the revelry. Through this new partnership, money raised at BBW events will be transferred to PCF and ringfenced within PCF, where it will be awarded as grants to LGBTQ+ organisations and community projects.
PCF's independent Grants and Advisory Board will oversee grant decisions, with BBW guaranteed a seat at the table to help shape strategic priorities, ensuring that the community spirit of BBW is reflected in where the money goes.
Alan Hiscutt, Chair, Brighton Bear Weekend CIC, said: "BBW is run entirely by volunteers to raise funds for the community through a range of friendly social activities. We are deeply grateful to our volunteers, sponsors, and commercial partners for their valued support in making this happen.
"We are delighted that Pride Community Foundation has agreed to work with us on a fresh approach to ensuring BBW's fundraising achieves positive impacts. Think of it as the bears giving a big warm bearhug to the rest of the LGBTQ+ community!"
Leslie Clarke, Chief Executive of PCF, added: "BBW has built something genuinely special – a community that shows up for each other year after year, and raises serious money in the process. Partnering with BBW is exactly the kind of relationship PCF exists for. The funds raised through their events will go directly to LGBTQ+ organisations doing vital work across our communities, and we couldn't be prouder to be the vehicle that makes that happen."
The partnership takes effect from 1 April 2026, with the first grants expected to be awarded in autumn this year.
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