What Equality Utah does

Equality Utah is Utah's largest LGBTQ civil rights organization, operating as a multi-entity nonprofit headquartered in Salt Lake City. Founded in 2001 as Unity Utah by Doug Wortham, Jim Dabakis, and Michelle Turpin with founding support from philanthropist Bruce Bastian, the organization evolved in 2004 into a comprehensive political education and lobbying body and rebranded to Equality Utah. It operates through three interconnected legal entities sharing one mission: Equality Utah as a 501(c)(4) advocacy arm, the Equality Utah Foundation as a 501(c)(3) educational arm, and the Equality Utah Political Action Committee (527) for electoral activity. Under the leadership of Executive Director Essie Gonzsen and Senior Director of Legal & Legislative Affairs Marina Lowe, with a roughly 10-12 person staff, the organization pursues legislative advocacy, political action, and education. Its geographic footprint is single-state, focused exclusively on Utah, with advocacy conducted at the state Capitol and programming stretching from Salt Lake City to Park City and across nine partner universities including the University of Utah, Utah State, BYU, and Westminster.

The organization's service portfolio is diversified across advocacy, training, scholarship, electoral, and event channels. Core products include year-round legislative advocacy services, the SHRM-certified Business Equality Leader corporate training program (with partners including Goldman Sachs, Utah Jazz, Zions Bank, Ancestry, Bridge Investment Group, CHG Healthcare, Lucid, Recursion, and DOMO), the College Ambassador Program training LGBTQ advocates across nine Utah universities, a Scholarship Mentorship Program that has awarded $500K+ to 56 students, the Equality Utah PAC which fields 100+ candidate endorsement requests annually, and signature fundraising events including the Allies Gala and PAC Brunch. There is no proprietary technology platform; the underlying infrastructure is a standard WordPress-based web property with online donation processing via Fundraise Up. Revenue is generated entirely through donations across 501(c)(4), 501(c)(3), and 527 vehicles, corporate sponsorships, events, and PAC contributions — there is no product pricing, recurring SaaS revenue, or contracted services model. Major legislative achievements include SB 296 (2015, 'The Utah Compromise'), SB 103 (2019 hate crimes law), HB 228 (2023 codification of the conversion therapy ban), and 2024's insertion of LGBTQ protections into Utah's Religious Freedom Restoration Act — the only such provision in any conservative state.

Name

Equality Utah

Legal name

Equality Utah

Website

https://equalityutah.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Equality Utah is Utah's largest LGBTQ civil rights organization, delivering year-round legislative advocacy, political action, corporate inclusion training, student scholarships, and ambassador programs across the state through a three-entity nonprofit structure headquartered in Salt Lake City.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

LGBTQ Civil Rights Advocacy

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311)

akta.pro primary industry

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB), Inclusive Education (Disability, Gender Equity, Marginalized Learners) (BPADAKAI)

Keywords

• LGBTQ civil rights advocacy
• Nonprofit advocacy organization
• Political action committee
• Workplace diversity training
• Legislative lobbying services

Headquarters

HQ city

Salt Lake City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: The organization accepts donations through multiple vehicles: general donations to Equality Utah (501(c)(4)), tax-deductible donations to Equality Utah Foundation (501(c)(3)), and political contributions to Equality Utah PAC (527). Donors can give via stock donations, tax-deductible contributions, and one-time or recurring gifts.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Equality Utah is a nonprofit civil rights organization that advances LGBTQ equality in Utah through three core activities: legislative advocacy at the Utah State Capitol, corporate diversity training via the SHRM-certified Business Equality Leader Program, and political action through its PAC endorsing pro-equality candidates. It also operates the College Ambassador Program for student leadership development and a Scholarship Mentorship Program that has awarded $500K+ to LGBTQ students across 9 partner universities.

Product overview

Equality Utah operates as a multi-faceted advocacy organization offering a portfolio of programs focused on LGBTQ civil rights in Utah. The organization consists of three interconnected entities: Equality Utah (501(c)(4) advocacy), Equality Utah Foundation (501(c)(3) education), and Equality Utah PAC (527 political action committee). Key programs include the Business Equality Leader (BEL) Program providing SHRM-certified corporate training for workplace inclusion, the College Ambassador Program developing the next generation of LGBTQ advocates, and the Scholarship Mentorship Program supporting LGBTQ students. The organization also conducts year-round legislative advocacy and operates major fundraising events including the Allies Gala and PAC Brunch.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Equality Leader (BEL) Program A SHRM-certified corporate training program that teaches businesses and organizations strategies for fostering workplace inclusion, belonging, and diversity. Includes workshops, presentations, HR policy consulting, allyship workshops, and ongoing support for creating inclusive workplace cultures. Participants include the Utah Jazz, Goldman Sachs, Zions Bank, Ancestry, and other Utah-based enterprises.
• College Ambassador Program A paid leadership development program that trains college students across Utah to become LGBTQ advocates, organizing initiatives on campuses and engaging with local and state government. Includes advocacy training, access to a 3-Day Equality Utah Legislative Summit, and campus organizing support.
• Scholarship Mentorship Program
• Equality Utah Political Action Committee (EUPAC) A Political Action Committee that endorses, supports, and works to elect pro-equality candidates across Utah through monetary contributions, campaign guidance, organizing tools, and get-out-the-vote efforts. Receives 100+ candidate endorsement requests annually.
• Legislative Advocacy Services Year-round legislative advocacy including drafting and promoting LGBTQ-inclusive legislation, opposing harmful bills, lobbying lawmakers, and building coalitions to protect and advance LGBTQ rights in Utah. Includes a public Legislative Tracker for monitored bills.
• Allies Gala An annual fundraising gala that serves as Utah's premier LGBTQ advocacy celebration, featuring guest performers, community awards, and local entertainment to raise critical funds for equality efforts.
• PAC Brunch An annual fundraising brunch that supports the Equality Utah PAC's mission to elect pro-equality policymakers across Utah.

Quantifiable outcome

• First conservative state to pass pro-LGBTQ nondiscrimination legislation (SB 296, 2015)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and regional.

• Equality FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner organization supporting state-based LGBTQ equality efforts. Part of the Equality Federation network of state-level advocacy organizations.
• Human Rights CampaigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor national LGBTQ advocacy organization. Partnership focuses on coordinating advocacy efforts and sharing resources for LGBTQ equality in Utah.
• ACLU UtahcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing collaboration partner in legislative efforts including the passage of SB 296 (The Utah Compromise) and ongoing civil rights advocacy.
• LGBTQ+ Victory FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization working to elect LGBTQ leaders to public office. Coordinates with Equality Utah PAC on candidate endorsements and political strategy.
• Salt Lake ChambermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional chamber of commerce partnership supporting business equality initiatives and fostering inclusive economic development in the Salt Lake City area.
• NAACPmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partnership with the NAACP to advance civil rights and social justice for minority communities in Utah.
• Planned Parenthood UtahmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare advocacy partnership supporting reproductive rights and healthcare access for LGBTQ individuals and families.
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnprecedented collaboration partner in passing SB 296 (The Utah Compromise), which balanced LGBTQ protections with religious freedom—a unique bipartisan coalition in a conservative state.
• PFLAGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent and family organization supporting LGBTQ loved ones. Partnership focuses on family acceptance and community support for LGBTQ individuals.
• encirclecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUtah-based organization providing support services for LGBTQ youth. Partnership supports youth programming and community building.
• NCLRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational LGBTQ legal advocacy organization providing legal expertise and support for civil rights litigation and legislative efforts.
• Mormons Building BridgescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based ally organization connecting members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who support LGBTQ individuals.
• Bridge Investment GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScholarship program partner providing mentorship from professionals to LGBTQ students. Part of the scholarship mentorship program that has awarded over $500K in scholarships.
• Goldman SachscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScholarship program partner providing mentorship and financial support for LGBTQ students and allies in Utah through the scholarship mentorship program.
• SHRMcoreTechnology or IntegrationProfessional HR association providing certification for the Business Equality Leader training program. SHRM-certified training enhances HR practices for partner organizations.
• Utah JazzmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBA team participating in Business Equality Leader program to foster inclusive workplace culture. Example of corporate commitment to workplace belonging.
• Zions BankmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional banking partner in Business Equality Leader program, demonstrating commitment to diversity and inclusion in financial services.
• AncestrymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology company partner in Business Equality Leader program, supporting workplace equality initiatives.
• CHG HealthcaremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare staffing company partner in Business Equality Leader program, supporting workplace inclusion in healthcare sector.
• LucidmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology company partner in Business Equality Leader program, demonstrating commitment to workplace equality.
• RecursionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology and biotech company partner in Business Equality Leader program, supporting workplace inclusion in innovation sector.
• DOMOmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnalytics software company partner in Business Equality Leader program, supporting data-driven workplace inclusion.
• Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors BureauregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional chamber partner supporting business equality initiatives in the Park City area.
• Progressive LeasingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial services company partner in Business Equality Leader program, supporting workplace equality initiatives.
• Vista StaffingregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare staffing company partner supporting business equality initiatives.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lambda Legal: National LGBTQ legal advocacy organization providing litigation support to Equality Utah on civil rights cases. Comparable mission focused on legal protections and precedent-setting litigation.
• PFLAG National: National family-acceptance and LGBTQ support organization with local Utah chapters. Partnership-listed ally sharing overlapping constituent base and community education mission.
• National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR): National LGBTQ legal advocacy organization that is an explicit strategic partner of Equality Utah. Directly comparable as a legal-advocacy peer providing expertise on civil rights litigation.
• Equality Federation: National network of state-based LGBTQ equality organizations of which Equality Utah is a member. Federation provides strategic, fundraising, and organizing infrastructure directly comparable to what Equality Utah delivers at the Utah level.
• ACLU of Utah: State affiliate of the ACLU and a long-standing coalition partner on SB 296 and ongoing litigation. Engages in identical legislative advocacy and civil liberties litigation in Utah.
• Victory Fund (LGBTQ+ Victory Institute): National organization focused on electing LGBTQ leaders to public office. Direct strategic partner with Equality Utah PAC on candidate recruitment and endorsement strategy.

Emerging players

• Encircle: Utah-based LGBTQ youth support organization and listed partner. Operates complementary direct-service programs for the same Utah LGBTQ community that Equality Utah serves through advocacy.
• Freedom for All Americans: Bipartisan campaign organization focused on passing nondiscrimination protections at the state level. Shares Equality Utah's 'Utah Compromise' coalition-building model and similar legislative strategy.

Broad incumbents

• Human Rights Campaign: Largest national LGBTQ civil rights advocacy organization. HRC operates as a federal-level 501(c)(4) counterpart to Equality Utah, with overlapping mission, donor base, and political endorsement functions.
• GLAAD: National LGBTQ media advocacy organization. Overlaps with Equality Utah's communications, narrative-change, and newsroom functions but operates at national scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EqualityUtah
• YouTubeyoutube.com/EqualityUtah
• Facebookfacebook.com/EqualityUtah
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/equt
• Instagraminstagram.com/equalityutah

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Equality Utah