Side by Side

What Side by Side does

Side by Side is a Virginia-incorporated nonprofit (legal name Side by Side VA, Inc., Virginia State Corporation Commission ID 03697976) headquartered at the Richmond Youth Center, 2311 Westwood Ave, Richmond, VA. The organization was founded in 1991 as the Richmond Organization for Sexual Minority Youth (ROSMY) and rebranded to Side by Side to reflect its expanded mission serving the full LGBTQ+ youth spectrum across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its core programs include age-segmented support groups (ages 11-20 youth, 18-25 young adults, youth of color, transgender, and middle school cohorts), free 1:1 clinical counseling (provided by contracted clinicians such as Dr. Delton Harris) for eligible youth participating for at least four weeks, Pride Place short-term housing co-located at Virginia Home for Boys & Girls for young adults experiencing housing instability (stays up to 6 months), K-12 school partnerships including GSA formation support, a Youth Leadership Committee, parent and caregiver support groups, and a Queer Care Closet providing free hygiene and essential items.

The underlying technology stack is modest and operational rather than productized: a Squarespace-hosted public website, the TraxSolutions platform for youth and family online registration, Humanitru for donation processing, and standard telehealth infrastructure for remote clinical counseling. Hybrid in-person and virtual support groups enable statewide reach beyond the single physical site. No proprietary software products, mobile apps, or APIs are disclosed.

The revenue model is a diversified nonprofit funding portfolio: individual donations (one-time and recurring, including planned/estate giving), corporate event sponsorships (notably Allianz as Springtime 2026 presenting sponsor, CoStar as Jubilee sponsor, and Kroger as Festive sponsor and Queer Care Closet sponsor), McKesson sponsorship of the Queer Care Closet, in-kind meal donations from churches and families (Ginter Park Baptist, Ginter Park Presbyterian, Church of the Holy Comforter, McBride Family), workplace giving through United Way (#3403), Combined Federal Campaign (#70936), and Local Government & Schools (#162), and sliding-scale training and workshop fees charged to external organizations (with K-12 GSA services always free). All direct services to youth are free; only external organizations pay. Distribution is community-led through school referrals, advocacy partnerships (Equality Virginia, ACLU of Virginia, He She Ze and We), events, and a monthly e-newsletter.

Name

Side by Side

Legal name

Side by Side VA, Inc.

Website

https://sidebysideva.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Side by Side is a Virginia-based nonprofit providing free support groups, clinical counseling, short-term housing (Pride Place), and school programs for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults ages 11-25, funded through donations, corporate sponsorships, and sliding-scale training fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Social Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK), Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

Keywords

• LGBTQ+ youth services
• Youth support groups
• Clinical counseling
• Transitional housing
• School GSA training

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond

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, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: General donations from individuals supporting LGBTQ+ youth programs, including one-time and recurring contributions.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Event sponsorships and corporate giving programs supporting Springtime gala, Glitter Glam Jam, and organizational services.
3. Community Donated Meals: In-kind meal donations from community partners and individuals supporting the Meals Program for youth.
4. Training Workshop Fees: Sliding scale fees charged to organizations (except K-12 GSAs) for training and workshop services. Revenue supports free youth programs.
5. Planned Giving/Estate Gifts: Legacy gift programs allowing donors to include Side by Side in estate planning.
6. Workplace Giving: United Way (#3403), Combined Federal Campaign (#70936), and Local Government & Schools (#162) coordinated campaigns.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Side by Side is a Richmond, Virginia-based nonprofit organization that provides direct support services to LGBTQ+ youth and young adults ages 11-25, including peer support groups, 1:1 clinical counseling, short-term housing (Pride Place), leadership development, and caregiver support. The organization also delivers training, workshops, and consultation to K-12 schools, community organizations, government agencies, and corporate partners across Virginia on LGBTQ+ inclusion. All direct youth services are provided free of charge, while training for external organizations is offered on a sliding scale.

Product overview

Side by Side is a non-profit organization providing support services for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults in Virginia. Their offerings include support groups (Youth Support Group ages 14-18, Young Adult Support Group ages 18-25, Youth of Color Support Group, Transgender Support Group, Middle School Group), clinical counseling services, housing services (Pride Place short-term housing), school programs (GSA support, training), leadership development (Youth Leadership Committee), training and workshop offerings for organizations, and community resources including a youth center, library, and Queer Care Closet. They also host events including the annual Springtime gala, Glitter Glam Jam, and Giving Tuesday campaign. These are social services programs, not technology products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Support Groups
• Clinical Counseling Services
• Pride Place Housing
• School Programs
• Training and Workshop Offerings Training and workshops on LGBTQ+ inclusion, workplace policies, and creating affirming environments for community organizations, government agencies, and corporations. Offered on a sliding scale fee basis based on budget capacity, with a free 30-minute consultation included. Always free for K-12 student organizations and GSAs.
• Parent + Caregiver Support Group Support group for parents, caregivers, and family members of LGBTQ+ youth and young adults to help them support their LGBTQ+ family members.
• Youth Leadership Committee (YLC) Leadership development program for LGBTQ+ youth to develop advocacy skills, take on leadership roles, and stand up for queer youth in their communities.
• Queer Care Closet Provides free hygiene products, toiletries, and essential independent living items to LGBTQ+ youth and young adults at the Richmond Youth Center, in partnership with sponsors including McKesson and Kroger.
• Meals Program Provides free meals and snacks to youth and young adults at the Richmond Youth Center through recurring in-kind meal donations from community partners including Ginter Park Baptist Church, Ginter Park Presbyterian Church, and Church of the Holy Comforter Episcopal Church.
• Springtime Annual Gala Annual fundraising gala celebrating impact for LGBTQ+ youth, featuring corporate sponsors, silent auctions, and entertainment. 2026 sponsors include Allianz, CoStar, and Kroger.
• Caregiver Advocacy and Support Advocacy training, school policy guidance, and family support resources for parents and caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth, delivered in partnership with Equality Virginia, He She Ze and We, and ACLU of Virginia.

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• AllianzcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 May 2026Presenting sponsor of the Springtime 2026 annual fundraising gala celebrating 35 years of impact for LGBTQ+ youth.
• CoStarmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 May 2026Jubilee sponsor of Springtime 2026, supporting LGBTQ+ youth programs and services.
• RVA Government Office of Equity and InclusionmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 May 2026Festive sponsor of Springtime 2026, supporting LGBTQ+ youth services in Richmond area.
• The Flower Guy BronminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 May 2026Festive sponsor of Springtime 2026 event.
• KrogermajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 May 2026Festive sponsor of Springtime 2026 and sponsor of the Queer Care Closet providing hygiene products and essential items to youth.
• Ginter Park Baptist ChurchminorOthersCommunity partner donating meals on a recurring basis through the Meals Program to provide food and community to LGBTQ+ youth and young adults.
• Ginter Park Presbyterian ChurchminorOthersCommunity partner providing recurring meal donations for the Meals Program supporting youth nutrition and community building.
• Church of the Holy Comforter Episcopal ChurchminorOthersCommunity partner contributing recurring meal donations to the Meals Program for LGBTQ+ youth.
• Virginia Home for Boys & GirlscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPride Place housing program operates on the campus of Virginia Home for Boys & Girls, providing short-term housing for LGBTQ+ youth facing housing instability for up to 6 months.
• Equality VirginiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide advocacy organization working to build a future where all LGBTQ+ people have safety to thrive. Partner in caregiver advocacy and support, sharing legislative updates and advocacy resources.
• He She Ze and WecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting Transgender and Nonbinary people by empowering families, communities, and allies. Partner in caregiver advocacy providing family support and social gatherings for families of trans and gender expansive youth.
• ACLU of VirginiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonpartisan organization defending civil liberties and civil rights. Partner in advocacy for inclusive school policies and transgender student rights, sharing updates on VDOE model policies.
• McKessonmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Queer Care Closet providing essential toiletries, hygiene products, and independent living items to queer youth and young adults at no cost.
• Richmond Triangle PlayersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing support for LGBTQ+ community events and programs.
• Diversity RichmondminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner organization serving the Richmond LGBTQ+ community.
• McBride FamilyminorOthersCommunity partners providing recurring meal donations through the Meals Program.
• Diversity ThriftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for clothing donations, redirecting clothing needs to Diversity Thrift while Side by Side focuses on personal care items for the Queer Care Closet.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Covenant House: Covenant House operates short-term residential shelters and support services for youth experiencing homelessness nationally. Side by Side's Pride Place short-term housing for LGBTQ+ young adults sits in the same youth-housing services category.
• CenterLink: CenterLink is a national coalition of LGBTQ+ community centers, comparable in operating-model terms to Side by Side's Richmond Youth Center drop-in and community-center activities.
• The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is a national LGBTQ+ youth organization focused on crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and peer support. Comparable to Side by Side in mission (serving LGBTQ+ youth) and clinical/support offerings, though it operates nationally and at much larger scale.
• Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation: HRC Foundation is a large national LGBTQ+ advocacy and education organization. Side by Side's broader advocacy, training, and youth-focused community work overlap with HRC's Welcoming Schools and youth programming initiatives.

Direct peers

• GLSEN: GLSEN is a national education-focused organization supporting LGBTQ+ K-12 students through GSA networks, educator training, and policy advocacy. Side by Side's school programs and K-12 GSA support work align directly with GLSEN's mission.
• Equality Virginia: Equality Virginia is a statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy organization and an active Side by Side partner. Both organizations share Virginia-specific geographic focus and overlapping advocacy/policy goals for the LGBTQ+ community.
• PFLAG National: PFLAG is a national organization supporting LGBTQ+ people and their families through peer support, local chapters, and advocacy. Its Parent + Caregiver Support Group and family education mission directly mirrors Side by Side's caregiver programming.
• True Colors United: True Colors United focuses on preventing and ending LGBTQ+ youth homelessness — a closely related niche to Side by Side's Pride Place housing program and Queer Care Closet services.
• He She Ze and We: He She Ze and We supports transgender and nonbinary people by empowering families, communities, and allies — directly overlapping with Side by Side's caregiver advocacy and trans-youth family support programming.

Regional players

• Diversity Richmond: Diversity Richmond is a community hub serving the Richmond LGBTQ+ community and is an existing Side by Side partner. It is comparable in geographic focus (Richmond/Central Virginia) and provides overlapping community-space services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/sidebysideva
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/side-by-side-va-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Side by Side