The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert

What The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert does

The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert (The Center) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity (EIN 33-0937301) that operates the primary LGBTQ+ community-services hub for the Coachella Valley in Southern California. Founded in 1998 as the Prime Timers of the Desert Foundation and rebranded to its current name in 2020, The Center delivers social, educational, behavioral health, food-security, and financial-assistance programming through three physical locations: its headquarters in the McDonald/Wright Building in Palm Springs, a satellite office in Coachella, and a Community Food Bank warehouse also in Palm Springs. Core programs include the Scott Hines Behavioral Health Clinic (individual, couples, family, and group therapy with sliding-scale fees and IEHP/Aetna acceptance), the Community Food Bank (weekly distribution to 550+ households), The L-Fund (merged into The Center in 2026, providing crisis and education grants to lesbians), the David Bohnett CyberCenter (free computer and internet access), youth and senior programming, gender-expansive and family support, and major annual fundraising events (Red Dress Dress Red, Center Stage, ECV Pride).

The Center's technology footprint is intentionally light: it does not operate proprietary platforms and instead uses Daxko Operations for program management, TicketSpice for event ticketing, Blackbaud for donor management, and an online Program Finder for member enrollment. Technology is positioned as an enabling tool for community access rather than a core product surface. Revenue mechanics are diversified across at least eight streams: individual donations and memberships starting at $25/year, the Ocotillo Club sustaining-donor program ($1,200-$25,000/year), Community Partner business sponsorships ($300-$2,500/year), event ticket sales and corporate sponsorships, Scott Hines Behavioral Health Clinic billings, space rental at the Palm Springs HQ, Food Bank donations, and a Planned Giving / Legacy Circle program covering bequests, IRAs, life insurance, and charitable trusts.

Go-to-market is community-led rather than commercial: The Center grows through direct program delivery, volunteer engagement, membership drives, partner referrals, and word-of-mouth across a network of 85+ community partners including Eisenhower Health, Planned Parenthood, Greater Palm Springs Pride, the City of Palm Springs, and the David Bohnett Foundation. Service area spans the Coachella Valley from Palm Springs and Cathedral City to the underserved Eastern Coachella Valley communities of Coachella, Mecca, Thermal, and North Shore. The Center holds a Charity Navigator Four-Star rating, a Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, and has been named one of America's Most Admired nonprofits.

Name

The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert

Legal name

The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert

Website

https://thecentercv.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating three Coachella Valley locations that deliver behavioral health, food security, youth, senior, and financial-assistance programming to LGBTQ+ residents and underserved Eastern Valley communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE), Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB)

Keywords

• LGBTQ+ community services
• Behavioral health services
• Food bank operations
• Community center programs
• Youth support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Palm Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations & Memberships: The Center generates revenue through individual donations, annual memberships (starting at $25/year), and the Ocotillo Club sustaining donor program ($1,200/year minimum). Donations are accepted online, by check, and by phone.
2. Special Events Fundraising: Major annual fundraising events including Red Dress Dress Red, Center Stage Gala, ECV Pride, Holiday Wreath Auction, Paws & Claus, and Info-A-Go-Go generate revenue through ticket sales, sponsorships, and donations.
3. Community Partner Sponsorships: Local businesses and organizations become community partners at tiered levels ($300 Platinum, $600 Platinum, $1,000 Diamond, $2,500 Emerald per year), gaining visibility benefits, room usage, digital display access, and business card rack placement.
4. Event Sponsorships: Corporate and law firm sponsors (e.g., Law Offices of Eric A. Rudolph) sponsor specific events such as Center Stage and Red Dress Party, contributing financial support in exchange for branding recognition.
5. Space Rental Revenue: Meeting and event spaces at the Palm Springs McDonald/Wright Building are available for rent to community members, organizations, and businesses, with a maximum occupancy of 50 per room. This provides a modest revenue stream from space usage fees.
6. Planned Giving / Legacy Circle: Bequests in wills, beneficiary designations in IRAs or retirement plans, life insurance policy beneficiary designations, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, and charitable lead trusts provide long-term planned giving revenue.
7. Ocotillo Club Sustaining Donors: Minimum annual donation of $1,200 ($100/month), with additional giving opportunities at $2,400, $5,000, $10,000, and $25,000 per year. Members receive quarterly receptions, early event access, newsletter benefits, and complimentary Center membership.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert (The Center) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers a comprehensive suite of LGBTQ+ affirming community services across the Coachella Valley. Core offerings include the Scott Hines Behavioral Health Clinic (individual, couples, family, and group therapy on a sliding scale), the Community Food Bank (weekly free food distribution to 550+ households), the L-Fund (financial crisis, health, arts, and education grants), the David Bohnett CyberCenter (free computer/internet access), youth and gender-expansive family programs, and senior services. The Center operates two physical locations (Palm Springs and Coachella) and runs annual fundraising and community events.

Product overview

The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert (The Center) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) community organization offering a comprehensive range of programs and services across the Coachella Valley. The organization operates from two physical locations—its main headquarters in Palm Springs (McDonald/Wright Building) and a satellite office in Coachella. The Center's offerings are organized around three strategic initiatives: ending isolation and loneliness, connecting people to services and community, and enriching individual and collective experiences. Core service programs include the Scott Hines Behavioral Health Clinic (providing LGBTQ+-affirming mental health services), the Community Food Bank (distributing food to over 550 households weekly), The L-Fund (financial assistance for crisis, health, arts, and education), and the David Bohnett CyberCenter (providing technology access). Additional programs encompass gender expansive and family support services, youth programming, advocacy resources, community partnerships, and annual events. The Center generates revenue through membership fees, community partnerships, planned giving, and fundraising events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Center – Palm Springs Headquarters
• The Center Coachella
• Scott Hines Behavioral Health Clinic
• Community Food Bank at The Center
• The L-Fund at The Center
• David Bohnett CyberCenter
• Gender Expansive and Family Support Programs
• LGBTQ+ Youth Programs and Services
• Annual Fundraising and Community Events Annual events including Red Dress Dress Red, Center Stage Gala, ECV Pride, Holiday Wreath Auction, Paws & Claus, Info-A-Go-Go, and ALL OUT summer dance party that serve as both fundraising vehicles and community celebrations.
• Membership Program Annual membership starting at $25/year providing program discounts, special event invitations, insider updates, and members-only access to services and programs.
• Community Partner Program Business sponsorship program with tiers ($300 base, $600 Platinum, $1,000 Diamond, $2,500 Emerald per year) providing business webpage listing, room usage, digital display access, and business card rack placement to local businesses.
• Ocotillo Club Sustaining Donor Program Sustaining donor program requiring minimum annual donation of $1,200 ($100/month), with tiers up to $25,000/year, providing quarterly receptions, early event access, Ocotillo Club Newsletter, and complimentary Center membership.
• Planned Giving / Legacy Circle Estate planning giving program enabling donors to support The Center via bequests in wills, IRA beneficiary designations, life insurance policies, charitable gift annuities, and charitable remainder/lead trusts.
• ONE-PS Community Food Drive Challenge Neighborhood-based food drive competition organized with ONE-PS to support the Community Food Bank during July-August, with recognition awards for participating neighborhoods.
• Space Rental at The Center Rental of community rooms and spaces at the Palm Springs location for classes, meetings, workshops, and events with multiple setup options including classroom, theater seating, and fitness layouts (max occupancy 50 per room).
• Advocacy and Policy Resources Information and resources supporting community advocacy efforts, including immigration resources, senior and aging support, trans/LGBTQ+ rights information, and voting resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85,000+ individual engagements per year across all programs and locations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles10 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Eisenhower HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEisenhower Health is a major healthcare community partner of The Center, providing healthcare services referral pathways and collaborative support for LGBTQ+ health initiatives in the Coachella Valley.
• City of Palm SpringscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Palm Springs is a community partner of The Center, supporting its mission to serve the LGBTQ+ community in Palm Springs.
• AlianzacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlianza partnered with The Center in 2016 to organize the First Annual Eastern Coachella Valley Pride festival in Coachella. The partnership continues to co-host ECV Pride, which is community-led with The Center serving as convener and operations lead.
• Law Offices of Eric A. RudolphminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Law Offices of Eric A. Rudolph sponsored Center Stage 2025 and served as Ruby Level sponsor of Red Dress Party 2026. This reflects the firm's commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ initiatives beyond its legal practice in the Palm Springs and Coachella Valley communities.
• FIND Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFIND Food Bank is the regional food bank that The Center's Community Food Bank is registered with (since 2011), expanding its reach and capabilities. The partnership enables food distribution infrastructure and support for The Center's food security programs.
• SAGEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAGE (SAGEusa) is a national organization advocating for LGBTQ+ elders. The Center joined forces with SAGE in 2010 and was renamed Golden Rainbow Center – SAGE at Palm Springs. SAGE affiliation remains important for senior programming and advocacy.
• Greater Palm Springs PrideminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGreater Palm Springs Pride is an Emerald Level community partner that collaborates on Pride initiatives in the Coachella Valley.
• Desert Care NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesert Care Network is a community partner of The Center, providing healthcare referral pathways.
• Forest LawnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerForest Lawn is a community partner of The Center, providing mortuary and funerary services partnership.
• Palm Springs Leather Order of the DesertminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPalm Springs Leather Order of the Desert is a community partner supporting The Center's leather and fetish community programming and events.
• Stonewall Golf AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStonewall Golf Association is a community partner of The Center, supporting golfing community engagement.
• Palm Springs Front Runners & WalkersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPalm Springs Front Runners & Walkers is a community partner supporting LGBTQ+ fitness and running community engagement.
• Contractors State License SchoolsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerContractors State License Schools is a community partner sponsor.
• Foley & Stinnette Interior DesignminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoley & Stinnette Interior Design is a community partner.
• Heslin Wealth ManagementminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHeslin Wealth Management is a community partner providing financial planning services.
• Vaso Bello CelebrationsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVaso Bello Celebrations is a community partner supporting events.
• The Palm Springs PostminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Palm Springs Post is a media partner, providing press coverage and media visibility for The Center's events and programs.
• KGAY 103.1 Palm SpringsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKGAY 103.1 Palm Springs is a media partner providing radio/media coverage for The Center.
• Gay Desert GuideminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGay Desert Guide is a media partner providing LGBTQ+-focused media coverage for The Center.
• Coachella Valley IndependentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoachella Valley Independent is a media partner providing independent local media coverage.
• The Hollywood TimesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Hollywood Times is a media partner providing entertainment media coverage.
• Sunny 106.5minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSunny 106.5 is a media partner providing radio coverage.
• PromoHomo TVminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPromoHomo TV is a media partner providing LGBTQ+ focused multimedia coverage.
• The Standard MagazineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Standard Magazine is a media partner providing LGBTQ+ lifestyle media coverage.
• Gay Entertainment DirectoryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGay Entertainment Directory is a media partner providing LGBTQ+ entertainment media coverage.
• Desert Recreation DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesert Recreation District is a community partner supporting recreational programming at The Center Coachella.
• Friends of the Desert MountainsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFriends of the Desert Mountains is a community partner providing youth hiking activities and outdoor excursions in partnership with The Center.
• Indio Teen CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndio Teen Center is a community partner supporting youth programming.
• Mecca Family Farmworker Resource CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMecca Family Farmworker Resource Center is a community partner serving the East Coachella Valley community.
• Planned ParenthoodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlanned Parenthood is a community partner at The Center Coachella, providing health services referral pathways.
• Youth Leadership Institute (YLI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth Leadership Institute is a community partner supporting youth leadership development programming at The Center Coachella.
• Oswit Land TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOswit Land Trust partnered with The Law Offices of Eric A. Rudolph to sponsor the Saving Nature Film Festival on Earth Day 2026. While not directly a partner of The Center, the law firm is a sponsor of The Center's events, indicating indirect partnership through shared community initiatives.
• Center Ride OutminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCenter Ride Out is a new three-day HIV fundraising bike ride (April 24–26, Los Angeles to San Diego) that supports LGBTQ centers in Southern California, including The Center. This replaces the AIDS/LifeCycle ride. The ride addresses broader health equity issues including stigma, overdose prevention, and mental health.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Los Angeles LGBT Center: The largest LGBTQ+ community center in the world, operating a similar multi-program model (behavioral health, youth, seniors, food security, legal services) in a Southern California urban market. Directly comparable in service breadth and target population, though at much greater scale.
• San Francisco LGBT Center: A regional LGBTQ+ community center offering mental health, youth, senior, and community programs. Comparable in mission, multi-program service model, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit structure, though serving a different metropolitan market.
• The Center (NYC LGBT Community Center): The historic NYC-based LGBTQ+ community center offering a comprehensive suite of programs (health, wellness, arts, advocacy). Directly comparable in service architecture and target population; also the reference for federal HOPWA/Ryan White funding exposure flagged in The Center's data.

Broad incumbents

• GLAAD: National LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization focused on cultural narrative change. Comparable in the advocacy and visibility function that The Center supports through its resources and events, though GLAAD operates nationally with a media-industry focus.
• Lambda Legal: National legal organization advancing LGBTQ+ civil rights through litigation and policy. Comparable in advocacy and policy resource function (a program area The Center provides), but operates at a much larger national scale focused on legal outcomes.
• SAGE (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders): National LGBTQ+ aging organization that The Center is formally affiliated with via the Golden Rainbow / SAGE at Palm Springs program. Comparable in senior services mission and advocacy function, operating at national scale rather than regional.

Regional players

• Brothers of the Desert: A Coachella Valley-based Black gay men's wellness organization that uses The Center's facilities for monthly meetings and summits. Comparable in regional LGBTQ+ wellness mission and overlapping target population in the same geographic service area.
• Desert AIDS Project (DAP Health): A Palm Springs-based healthcare nonprofit serving people living with HIV/AIDS and the broader LGBTQ+ community in the Coachella Valley. Comparable in geography and overlapping service lines (HIV care, behavioral health, food security), with healthcare as its core capability.

Emerging players

• FIND Food Bank: The regional food bank with which The Center's Community Food Bank is registered (since 2011). Directly comparable in food distribution mission and a strategic upstream partner providing infrastructure and supply chain to The Center's food security work.
• Point Foundation: National LGBTQ+ scholarship fund supporting high-achieving students. Comparable in the scholarship and education assistance function (overlaps with The Center's LEAP program and L-Fund education grants), though Point operates at national scale focused exclusively on scholarship funding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZcdcQZMTzIjbZ1NQiif-Fg
• Facebookfacebook.com/thecentercv
• Instagraminstagram.com/thecentercv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lgbt-community-center-of-the-desert

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles30 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert