The Ali Forney Center

What The Ali Forney Center does

The Ali Forney Center (AFC) is a New York City-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2002 by Carl Siciliano to serve homeless LGBTQ+ and at-risk youth aged 16–24. It operates the nation's largest dedicated continuum of care for this population, anchored by a 24-hour Drop-In Center (Ali's Place) in Midtown Manhattan that functions as the single point of intake into all downstream services. Scattered-site housing capacity comprises 66 emergency beds across six apartments in Queens and Brooklyn (up to 6-month stays) and 76 transitional housing beds in shared Manhattan/Brooklyn apartments (up to 2-year stays), serving 2,200+ youth annually and providing 70,000+ meals per year.

Wraparound services include an on-site medical clinic operated via subcontract with the Institute for Family Health and Care for the Homeless (daily HIV/HEP C testing, STI testing and treatment, PEP/PrEP, primary care, psychiatry), the LEAP vocational and educational program, LIFE coaching, and case management. AFC also runs a National Technical Assistance Program that supports peer organizations in the US (Larkin Street Youth, Y2Y Harvard Square) and the UK (Albert Kennedy Trust) in replicating its model.

AFC is funded through a diversified mix of individual donations (including the AFC 360 monthly giving program and the Ali Pride major-donor tiers at $2,500–$25,000), corporate partnerships (notably Kiehl's Since 1851, contributing $150,000 in 2026 and $1.4M+ cumulatively since 2015), planned giving via the Bea Arthur Friends Society, and six signature annual fundraising events headlined by the A Place at the Table spring gala, which raised over $3 million in 2026. Operating leadership is held by CEO Alexander Roque with a full C-suite (CDO, COO, CPO); founder Carl Siciliano remains active in Religious Outreach and advocacy following publication of his memoir 'Making Room' (Penguin Random House, 2024). Reported cost economics are 85% of revenue directly benefiting clients, 11% for program operations, and 5% for fundraising.

Name

The Ali Forney Center

Legal name

Ali Forney Center, Inc.

Website

https://www.aliforneycenter.org/

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Ali Forney Center is a NYC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates the nation's largest continuum of care for homeless LGBTQ+ and at-risk youth aged 16–24, including a 24-hour Drop-In Center, 142 housing beds, on-site medical and mental health services, and vocational programs serving 2,200+ youth annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless Youth Social Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO), Homeless, Foster Care & Highly Mobile Youth Education Services (EDAJAEAG)

Keywords

• Homeless youth services
• Emergency housing
• Transitional housing
• Drop-in center
• LGBTQ+ support services

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individuals supporting homeless LGBTQ+ youth services. Monthly giving program (AFC 360) provides reliable operating income for budgeting.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate sponsors program with companies like Kiehl's contributing $150,000 annually. Includes employee volunteer opportunities, speaking engagements, event tickets and sponsorships, and bespoke engagement opportunities.
3. Major Gifts: Ali Pride major donor program with tiers: Supporter ($2,500), Guardian ($10,000), Impact Circle ($25,000), providing recognition and exclusive access to leadership and events.
4. Special Events Revenue: Annual events including Oasis, A Place at the Table gala ($3MM+ raised in 2026), Luscious, I Put a Spell on You, SERVE, and Night of a Thousand Judys.
5. Planned Giving: Legacy gifts through Bea Arthur Friend Society including wills, living trusts, retirement accounts, life insurance policies, annuities, and property/stock donations.
6. Corporate Matching: Corporate matching gift programs through company benefit programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Ali Forney Center provides a continuum of care for homeless LGBTQ+ and at-risk youth ages 16-24 in New York City, including a 24-hour Drop-In Center, emergency housing (66 beds across six sites), transitional housing (76 beds for up to two years), on-site medical and mental health services, a vocational and education program (LEAP), case management, meals, and a National Technical Assistance Program that helps other organizations replicate the model.

Product overview

The Ali Forney Center is a nonprofit social services organization (not a technology company) that provides a comprehensive continuum of care for homeless LGBTQ+ and at-risk youth. The organization operates a single integrated service model consisting of: a 24-hour Drop-In Center (Ali's Place) as the entry point; Emergency Housing with 66 beds across six sites; Transitional Housing with 76 beds for up to two years; an on-site medical clinic providing HIV testing, primary care, and psychiatric services; the LEAP job readiness and education program; a National Technical Assistance Program for model replication; and the FLINTA* Coalition. Additionally, AFC operates multiple annual fundraising events (Oasis, A Place at the Table, SERVE, Night of a 1,000 Judys, Luscious Brunch, I Put a Spell on You) and donor programs (Ali Pride major giving, AFC 360 monthly giving, and the Bea Arthur Friends Society planned giving). The organization serves over 2,000 youth annually across New York City locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Drop-In Center (Ali's Place) A 24-hour drop-in center in Midtown Manhattan providing food, medical care, mental health services, and access to housing programs for homeless LGBTQ+ and at-risk youth. It serves as the entry point to all AFC programs.
• Emergency Housing Program Scattered-site emergency housing program with 66 beds across six apartments in Queens and Brooklyn, offering temporary housing for up to six months with nightly home-cooked meals and staff supervision.
• Transitional Housing Program (THP) Independent living preparation program with 76 beds in shared apartments across Manhattan and Brooklyn, allowing youth to stay for up to two years while maintaining employment and continuing education.
• Health Services / On-Site Medical Clinic Comprehensive healthcare including daily HIV and HEP C testing, STI testing and treatment, PEP/PrEP resources, primary care, and psychiatric services provided through the Institute for Family Health.
• LEAP (Learning Employment Advancement and Placement) Program Six-month vocational and educational preparation course for homeless LGBTQ+ youth ages 16-24, offering TASC/HSE preparatory courses, National Work Readiness Credential training, life skills, and paid internships.
• National Technical Assistance Program Program supporting communities seeking to launch or enhance services for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness, including an annual conference for model replication and provider resources.
• FLINTA* Coalition Community-raising and fundraising initiative supporting FLINTA* (Women, Lesbian, Agender, Non-binary, Trans, Intersex, and additional identities) youth, including community events, volunteerism, and a signature event.

Quantifiable outcome

• 77% of transitional housing residents are in school
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kiehl's Since 1851coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Third consecutive year partnership in 2026, committing $150,000 to support safe housing and developmental services for LGBTQIA+ youth experiencing homelessness. Since 2015, Kiehl's has contributed more than $1.4 million to LGBTQIA+ causes globally. Partnership includes Pride Month 'Love is Natural' campaign with artist collective AVAF featuring immersive artwork across brand stores and digital platforms.
• Institute for Family HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides on-site primary care and psychiatry services through a subcontract with Care for the Homeless. Offers daily HIV and HEP C testing, STI testing and treatment, PEP and PrEP resources, birth control, and insurance enrollment.
• Care for the HomelesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing subcontract for on-site medical clinic services at AFC's Drop-In Center, enabling primary care and psychiatric services for homeless youth.
• Albert Kennedy TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK-based organization in AFC's Technical Assistance network supporting communities launching LGBTQ+ youth homelessness services.
• Larkin Street YouthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSan Francisco-based organization in AFC's Technical Assistance network helping replicate AFC's model.
• Y2Y Harvard SquareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCambridge, MA-based organization in AFC's Technical Assistance network.
• NYC LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual North American Technical Assistance Conference hosted by AFC bringing together organizations combatting LGBTQ+ homelessness from around the globe. Led by founder Carl Siciliano and Director of Technical Assistance Nadia Swanson.
• Bea Arthur Friend SocietycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLegacy giving circle named for legendary actress Bea Arthur, AFC's first transformational legacy gift donor. Honors those who include AFC in estate plans with donor wall recognition, annual report acknowledgment, exclusive events including Oasis summer rooftop soiree, and complimentary tickets.
• Corporate and Non-profit Internship PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate and nonprofit partners providing paid internships for youth in the LEAP program, developing employment history for homeless LGBTQ+ youth.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Door: NYC-based youth services nonprofit offering housing, health, education, and career programming to adolescents and young adults ages 12-24, including LGBTQ+ youth, with a comparable drop-in and case-management model.
• Covenant House New York: One of the largest providers of shelter and services for homeless and trafficking-survivor youth in NYC, operating emergency beds, transitional housing, and wraparound supports directly comparable in scope and geography to AFC.
• CAMBA: Large Brooklyn-based social services nonprofit operating emergency shelters, transitional housing, and youth services that overlap with AFC's housing and case-management portfolio in NYC.
• Larkin Street Youth Services: San Francisco-based nonprofit providing shelter, housing, and wraparound services for homeless youth ages 12-24, and a current member of AFC's Technical Assistance network—comparable service portfolio and target population, but West Coast geography.
• Hetrick-Martin Institute: NYC-based nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-24 with housing, education, and mental health services—directly comparable mission and population, though with smaller housing capacity than AFC.
• Ruth Ellis Center: Detroit-area nonprofit providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive services specifically for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness—a smaller but mission-identical direct peer.
• Los Angeles LGBT Center: One of the world's largest LGBTQ+ community organizations, operating housing and youth programs (including the Youth Center on Highland) that overlap with AFC's mission serving LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness.

Others

• PFLAG National: National LGBTQ+ advocacy and family-acceptance organization whose family-rejection intervention mission is upstream of AFC's downstream service delivery—thematically aligned but not a service-provider peer.
• True Colors United: National nonprofit focused on preventing and ending LGBTQ+ youth homelessness through training, advocacy, and technical assistance—directly aligned with AFC's Technical Assistance mission but operating at the systems-change level rather than direct service delivery.

Broad incumbents

• YWCA of Greater New York: Larger, multi-program NYC social services nonprofit with housing and youth programs (including the Rose House shelter) that intersect with AFC's mission, serving a broader demographic scope than AFC's LGBTQ+ focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC5Tnuu2YG7ZoQYBgCpMacUQ/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/AliForney
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-ali-forney-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/aliforneycenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Ali Forney Center