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Our Initiatives

The Open Door Pride IDEA Scholarship​

IDEA scholarship logo

Our IDEA Scholarship is offered to a graduating Door County senior. 

2026 NOW OPEN  

2026 is our 5th year in awarding a $1000 scholarship. APPLICATIONS accepted from any graduating Door County seniors who pursues a higher education degree.  And that they have demonstrated a passion for helping to make our community a more welcoming place to live and visit, increasing sensitivity, and building community.

Our community is stronger when more diverse, making Door County a welcoming place to live and work. We fully support the applicant’s gender identity.

Please contact us with any questions info@opendoorpride.org

or call our office # 920-724-1987

Gibraltar High School graduate Noah Adler won this year’s Open Door Pride IDEA (Inclusivity, Diversity, Equality and Accessibility) Scholarship. The award was presented at the Open Door Pride Festival on Saturday, June 28.

Noah will be attending Lakeland University, where he intends to study art, design, and diversity with the goal of becoming a successful artist and advocate. Accepting the scholarship, Noah said, “I hope to continue this legacy of advocating for people who can’t advocate for themselves and make the world a better place.”

The IDEA Scholarship is funded by Jeff Jara, Marie Squire, and the Baird Foundation

image by Dan Eggert Photography
Door County Reads committee with other Award nominees : image by Dan Eggert Photography

The Sandy Brown Award

The Sandy Brown Award is our visionary award that is given annually to a person or organization that has made significant contributions to the LGBTQIA+ community and has had a direct impact on making Door County a more welcoming place to visit and live. Each year our award is designed by a celebrated Door County Artist.

2025 Sandy Brown Award designed by Renee Schwaller Off The Wheel Pottery image by Dan Eggert Photography

Our 2025 Sandy Brown Award recipient is Door County Reads. Door County Library Director Dominic Frandrup and members of the Door County Reads Committee accepted the award at the Open Door Pride Festival on June 28th.

Other nominees who received certificates of appreciation from Open Door Pride are: Ally Bretl, Katie Dahl, Destination Door County, Door County Maritime Museum, Northern Sky Theater, Peninsula Pulse, and Ryan Shaw.

The 2025 award designer is Door County artist Renee Schwaller of Off The Wheel Pottery.

Click Learn More button about past winners and how to cast a nomination for 2026!

Learn more about Sandy Brown Award

Pride Flag Initiative

Our Pride Flag initiative honors local businesses and organizations that affirm belonging and help make Door County a more welcoming place for all by giving away FREE pride flags. 

Help us spread the word that all are welcome in Door County by flying a Pride Flag during the month of June or all year long! If you would like to be part of this program and receive a free Pride Flag, please email us at info@opendoorpride.org

Now more than ever, we love it when flags are flown 365 days of the year.

GET YOUR FREE FLAG

What's My Pride?

What's My Pride? Project at 2025 Open Door Pride Festival. Adam + Eleanor image by Dan Eggert Photography

Our What’s My Pride? project began in 2017 and was inspired by the Humans of New York creator, photographer Brandon Stanton. This unique project features people writing on a chalkboard a sentiment of pride. The faces and messages of Pride showcase how diverse and inclusive we are. Everyone  has pride in something.

In 2024 Open Door Pride had the honor of Governor Evers and First Lady Kathy Evers participating in the project during the Women’s History Month event at their residence. Their chalkboard images were featured in Open Door Pride’s exhibit and also received widespread press.

JOIN THE PROJECT

Open Door Pride Festival

On the last Saturday of June, members and allies of our community join us at Martin Park in Sturgeon Bay for Open Door Pride Festival! Live music, performances, awards, raffle, Food Trucks, and art activities are just some of the fun activities involved in our celebration.

Learn more about last year’s event and save the date of our 10th Annual Pride Festival – June 27, 2026 in Martin Park.

Discover Pride Fest
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Our Proclamations

Every year since 2017, the Mayor of Sturgeon Bay has issued a proclamation acknowledging June as Open Door Pride Month.

In 2025, Door County Municipalities that made Proclamations: City of Sturgeon Bay, Village of Sister Bay and Town of Baileys Harbor.

ODP has received a proclamation from Governor Tony Evers as well as a Citation by the Assembly from the State of Wisconsin. Join us in making Door County a more welcoming place for ALL!

DC Supervisor Ryan Shaw, Sturgeon Bay alders Spencer Gustafson and Matthew Houston look on as Carl Woitekaitis Senior Regional Director Office of the Governor reads 2025 June Pride Month Proclamation from Governor Tony Evers, with Open Door Pride board members Tracy Vreeke and Cathy Grier Image by Dan Eggert Photography

Free Pride Flag - Deadline is May 30th

Submit this form to get a 100% free Pride Flag to fly in front of your business or organization. Someone from Open Door Pride will contact you.

Share your inclusive spirit!

We invite you to complete this form and join our What’s My Pride? Project. Someone from Open Door Pride will contact you.