Project Rainbow reports significant growth in 2025
Project Rainbow Utah, a community-led nonprofit dedicated to uplifting and empowering LGBTQ+ individuals across the state, announced strong growth and expanded impact in 2025. Founded in 2018 as a 501(c)(3) organization focused on visibility and support, Project Rainbow uses statewide flag campaigns and its Community Fund to foster inclusion and provide financial backing to local initiatives and events.
According to an end-of-year impact report published by the organization, Project Rainbow surpassed its 2025 goals by securing 6,223 flag sign-ups across 13 counties in Utah through all campaigns, including mailed flags and sales through its merchandise store. This participation helped the nonprofit raise $240,000 in revenue, up from $205,000 in 2024, enabling the group to reinvest more than $50,000 into its Community Fund Grant program in 2026 to support pride celebrations and over 30 events statewide.
Flag campaigns remained a mainstay of the organization’s outreach strategy within a politically hostile climate, as many Utah lawmakers enacted restrictions on pride flags at schools and on government property. In response, local leadership in Salt Lake City introduced alternative pride-themed flags featuring the city’s sego lily, which can be flown where traditional flags are prohibited — a development Project Rainbow leaders praised for supporting queer visibility.
Volunteer engagement also surged in 2025. The nonprofit registered 446 volunteers, with an estimated 800+ participants participating in flag installation routes. The group recorded 1,030 volunteer hours, totaling a contribution worth more than $35,000 in community service.
Project Rainbow’s Community Fund awarded 32 organizations more than $36,000 in grants last year, funding activities such as film screenings, poetry nights, drag performances, meet-ups, and other spaces that build connection and support for LGBTQ+ Utahns. Beyond these awards, the organization extended more than $18,000 to pride festivals and long-term partners, bringing the total Community Fund support in 2025 to over $54,000 and more than $400,000 since its founding.
In addition to external grants, Project Rainbow increased internal investments, adding paid roles such as an Operations Project Manager and stipends for volunteer leaders to guarantee sustainable growth and fair employment opportunities in the community.
The group said its work in 2025 also included responding to legislative changes affecting higher education. After Utah lawmakers banned DEI initiatives on public college campuses, Project Rainbow partnered in collaboration with community organizations to help co-host Lavender Graduation ceremonies for LGBTQ+ students from Weber State University, University of Utah, Salt Lake Community College, and Westminster University, assuring students could celebrate their scholarly accomplishments in affirming spaces after campuses were restricted from sponsoring such events.
Project Rainbow’s mission centers on raising flags as symbols of love and acceptance while raising funds that supply critical support to those working toward a more embracing future for queer Utahns. The organization’s stated values stress uplifting belonging, being a symbol of safety and love, fostering togetherness, and investing deeply in community.
This year, Project Rainbow leaders were optimistic that increased community engagement and partnerships would allow them to extend their reach even further, particularly in rural areas and underserved areas of Utah.
