Our team consists of two main groups: volunteers (unpaid) and staff (paid). This diverse collection includes unpaid volunteers, volunteer committee members, volunteer board members, hourly paid event staff, and one full-time paid board member who serves as the organization’s president. The volunteer board members, together with the president, form the core decision-making body of the organization.

As we navigated through the post-COVID world and worked to redefine our purpose, we realized that our previous all-volunteer model was no longer sustainable. This realization led to the addition of paid hourly event staff and a full-time president who was necessary to oversee day-to-day operations. The sheer scale and complexity of our events required the focus and attention of a dedicated and experienced full time person to oversee them. Most medium-to-large nonprofit organizations (including most Pride organizations across the country) are structured similarly and have full time paid roles. Additionally, the extended Purple Family has always included hundreds of vendors, designers, DJs, dancers, performers, talent managers, and more—in both paid and unpaid volunteer capacities.

After more than 18 years of dedicated service as a volunteer, former President Blake Baker emerged as the ideal candidate uniquely qualified for this new full time role. Under Blake's return to leadership, Purple Foundation experienced its most financially successful period to date, hosting events that rivaled industry favorites like Winter Party Festival, White Party, and Gay Disney. Most importantly, the organization achieved record-breaking annual donations of $200k in 2022 and $205k in 2023.

The dedication and talent of our team have been instrumental in our success, and we are grateful for every individual who contributes to making Purple Foundation's mission a reality. Thank you for being part of our village! 🌟

The decision to transition the President of Purple Foundation, Inc., to a full-time paid role was a significant milestone for the organization. The Board of Directors approached this decision with care and deliberation, recognizing the importance of ensuring fairness and transparency in how the president's compensation was structured.

After thoughtful deliberation and extensive discussions, the board unanimously agreed on a two-part compensation plan for the president. This plan includes a modest annual base salary, along with a 20/80 split arrangement of funds received from ticket and product sales. Under this split, after accounting for all expenses, the president retains 20% of the proceeds, while the organization donates the remaining 80% to our beneficiaries.

It is important to note that donations made to Purple Foundation by sponsors or individuals are excluded from this split and are directly channeled to our beneficiaries, ensuring that their contributions have a direct and meaningful impact.

Furthermore, the president is treated as a contractor rather than an employee, relieving the organization of payroll tax obligations on behalf of the president. In this capacity, the president does not receive employment benefits, retirement plans, or additional bonuses.

Operating primarily from a home office, the president covers his own expenses, including health insurance, vehicle costs, technical equipment, office furniture, and utilities such as phone service, internet, and electricity. This approach reflects a conscious decision by the organization to maintain financial stewardship while empowering the president to operate efficiently and effectively.

Considering all these factors, the organization believes that this compensation plan represents a balanced and responsible approach that will support the organization in sustaining its growth and impact for years to come.

Purple Foundation, Inc., is a fully compliant 501c3 nonprofit corporation registered with the United States Internal Revenue Service and the Texas Secretary of State.