River City Pride Launches Scholarship for LGBTQIA+ Hoosiers and Allies
I had the privilege of emceeing the first-ever River City Pride Gayla in Evansville, and among all of the celebration, color, and community that filled the evening came an announcement about what happens next.
River City Pride is launching the Pride in Progress Scholarship, a new education fund designed to invest in LGBTQIA+ people and their allies across Southwestern Indiana.
And there's one part of this scholarship that I particularly love: there is no age limit.
Education Doesn't Have an Expiration Date
The inaugural Pride in Progress Scholarship is planned as a $1,000 award for the 2027 school year, with applications opening November 1, 2026.
The scholarship isn't limited to someone heading straight from high school to a four-year university, either.
Eligible applicants can pursue college or university education, trade or vocational programs, apprenticeships, recognized certifications, or workforce-training programs.
River City Pride says applicants should demonstrate leadership, advocacy, community involvement, creativity, resilience, or meaningful support of LGBTQIA+ inclusion and equality.
And whether you're 18, 28, 38, 48, or beyond, you can apply.
As River City Pride explained following the announcement, there's no expiration date on learning something new, changing direction, or deciding you want something different for your life.
Scholarships Will Serve 11 Southwestern Indiana Counties
Pride in Progress will serve eligible applicants in the following eleven counties:
- Posey
- Vanderburgh
- Warrick
- Spencer
- Perry
- Dubois
- Pike
- Gibson
- Knox
- Daviess
- Martin
River City Pride says additional details are still being finalized and will be released ahead of the November application launch.
The organization also has bigger plans for the program. The goal is to grow the Pride in Progress Education Fund beyond a single scholarship and create a dedicated fund capable of supporting LGBTQIA+ students, allies, and emerging leaders for years to come.
Because sometimes moving forward means starting something entirely new.
And it's never too late to do that.
2023 River City Pride Parade and Festival
Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals