Case Study: Columbia Valley Pride

Columbia Valley Pride is a grassroots nonprofit championing the rights, visibility, and well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ people in British Columbia’s Columbia Valley. 

Amid rising hostility toward queer and trans communities, Columbia Valley Pride sought support to develop a clear and comprehensive Theory of Change and Strategic Plan that would guide their work into the future. In spring 2025, the organization partnered with Evenings & Weekends Consulting (E&W) to chart its path forward.

Grounding Strategy in Community Insight

Our engagement began with a community survey designed and distributed in collaboration with Columbia Valley Pride. The goal was to understand how diverse communities perceive the organization and what they hope to see from it in the years to come. Shared via social media and direct email outreach, the survey collected responses from a mix of individuals—including board members, past volunteers, Pride attendees, vendors, parents of queer and trans youth, and social media followers.

Unfortunately, some responses were openly hostile, which reflects the broader social and political threats queer and trans people face in rural communities. Yet the survey also revealed deep wells of care and admiration for Columbia Valley Pride’s work. Community members expressed a desire to see the organization grow in visibility and resilience while remaining rooted in its values.

A Theory of Change for Queer Liberation

Working closely with Columbia Valley Pride leadership, E&W also facilitated conversations with key community members to articulate a Strategic Plan and accompanying Theory of Change. 

This framework outlined how the organization can foster connection, safety, and joy for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities through education, events, advocacy, and relationship-building. It also identified external factors shaping the organization’s work, and provided a roadmap for how the organization can achieve long-term impact.

Strategic Priorities Rooted in Care: 

1. Solidarity – Strengthening relationships with key partners for mutual support, growth, and care, with particular focus on Indigenous communities and other equity-seeking groups.

2. Resiliency – Investing in internal capacity, governance, and resources to ensure CVP can weather political and social challenges and remain a sustainable force for change.

3. Visibility – Expanding outreach and communications to ensure 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and allies know about Columbia Valley Pride’s work and can find belonging in its offerings.

Our plan includes measurable objectives to support Columbia Valley Pride’s mission over the next three years. Both ambitious and grounded, it was designed to help a small but mighty organization scale its impact while remaining anchored in community.

“It was wonderful to work with the Evenings & Weekends team. The diversity of the team caught our eye, and we were excited to work with people who’d understand the different people we seek to reach. Every member of the team felt well chosen. Working with Daniel Sarah Karasik was lovely: you’re good at listening, and the strategic plan you put together was great.” —Sierra Franklin

It was a privilege to support Columbia Valley Pride in building a roadmap toward queer and trans liberation, safety, and joy in a region where that work is both urgently needed and deeply courageous.

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