The Pride & Prosperity Network was founded in 2024 as a collaborative project between Mercy Connections and The Pride Center of Vermont with grant funding from M&T Bank’s Amplify Fund. and support from the Office of the Vermont State Treasurer

With the goal of supporting, empowering and promoting the 2STQLGBIA+ business owners within the state, our core focus areas are:

• Increase Visibility

  Through collaborative marketing, outreach campaigns and events. In June of 2024 we held our first event featuring the Queer Money Podcast and local entrepreneurs to raise awareness and learn more from business owners in Vermont
  

• Build Connection

  We seek to connect the 2STQLGBIA+ business community throughout the state with in-person and online networking events, affinity spaces and collaborative opportunities.
  

• Improve Access

  We coordinate access to existing resources and create new community-specific opportunities designed to educate, skill-build, and level up the 2STQLGBIA+ community’s financial prosperity.
  

• Collaborate to build a strong Vermont Pride & Prosperity Network

  By forging strong links between queer organizations in Vermont and developing relationships with agenices in state government, the broader business community, financial institutions and municipalities we strive to broaden the reach and influence of 2STQLGBIA+ owned businesses throughout Vermont