Detroit City FC and Northern Guard Supporters (NGS) are proud to announce that this year’s annual Prideraiser campaign raised $54,534.74 for the Ruth Ellis Center, marking the third consecutive season surpassing $50,000 in donations. This annual event is a proud, longstanding tradition for the DCFC community, featuring supporter pledges, kit auctions, merchandise sales, and additional one-time contributions.
In 2014, Detroit City FC became the first American sports team to wear an LGBTQ+ themed jersey in a competitive match, with proceeds benefitting the Ruth Ellis Center. Three years later, members of NGS helped launch Prideraiser, a pledge-per-goal fundraising model that has since grown to include more than 70 supporter groups across North America. For NGS, the Ruth Ellis Center has remained the designated beneficiary, with donations over the past decade reaching into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
This season’s Pride jersey, featuring Ruth Ellis herself, continues that tradition of connecting the beautiful game to the deeper story of our city and standing with LGBTQ+ youth who deserve safety, dignity, and joy. Ruth Ellis spent a century building a space where queer people of color are seen, sheltered, and celebrated, a mission shared by the Detroit City FC community.
The Ruth Ellis Center continues that work today by providing residential safe space and support services for runaway, homeless, and at-risk LGBTQ+ youth in metro Detroit, including a first-of-its-kind residential program for LGBTQ+ youth in the foster care and juvenile justice system.
Visit ruthelliscenter.org to learn more about their programs, services, and ways to get involved.
