The San Diego LGBT Community Center

What The San Diego LGBT Community Center does

The San Diego LGBT Community Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1972 that operates as the regional hub for LGBTQ+ services across San Diego County, delivering 109,000+ service visits in FY25 across a network of seven sites. Its service portfolio is organized along both identity (Black Services, Latin@x Services, Project TRANS, Women's Services, Men's Services, Family Services) and need-state (Behavioral Health, Housing, HIV/STI testing and PrEP navigation, Crisis Support, Food Resources, Youth Services) lines. The Center runs specialized residential infrastructure including the 43-bed Safe STAY Wellness Center for transitional-age youth experiencing homelessness, the Sunburst Youth Housing Project, and North Park Senior Apartments. All direct services are provided at no cost to community members, including regardless of immigration status. The organization carries a Charity Navigator 4-star rating and is governed by an independent Board of Directors with no parent entity.

The business model is a nonprofit donation-and-grant-funded operation. Revenue is generated through individual donations and major gifts (including the $18.9M Thimot and Rawnsley Fund, the largest gift in the organization's history, confirmed in 2026 for senior services), planned giving via the Stonewall Society, corporate partnerships with employer matching programs, signature fundraising events (Dining Out For Life in its 20th year in 2026, LGBTQ+ Luminaries Lunch, CREAM Ball), and facility room rentals. Go-to-market is community-led: direct engagement, peer advisory committees (Youth Queer Leadership Council, Young Professionals Council, Community Leadership Council, Veterans Wall of Honor), civic engagement (5,000+ voters mobilized in the most recent U.S. General Election), and identity-specific programming drive both service uptake and donor cultivation. The Center does not offer a software product, mobile app, or API; service delivery is primarily in-person across seven San Diego County locations with limited telehealth for behavioral health. There is no disclosed AI/ML capability, and technology is characterized as "not applicable" to its service model.

Name

The San Diego LGBT Community Center

Legal name

The San Diego LGBT Community Center

Website

https://thecentersd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The San Diego LGBT Community Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1972 that delivers free behavioral health, housing, HIV prevention, youth, senior, and crisis services to LGBTQ+ community members across seven San Diego County sites, supported by donations, events, and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

LGBTQ+ Community Social Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Other Residential Care Facilities (623990), Community Food Services (62421)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)

Keywords

• LGBTQ community services
• Behavioral health counseling
• Youth housing programs
• HIV testing services
• Crisis intervention support

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

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, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donations, major gifts, and planned giving programs including the Stonewall Society planned giving program. The Thimot and Rawnsley Fund represents an $18.9 million gift, the largest in the organization's history.
2. Signature Fundraising Events: Dining Out For Life San Diego - celebrating 20 years in 2026, LGBTQ+ Luminaries Lunch, and other community fundraising events.
3. Corporate Partners and Matching Gifts: Corporate partnership program with employer matching gift programs to amplify individual donations.
4. Room Rentals: Event space and room rentals at The Center facility generate revenue while supporting community gatherings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The San Diego LGBT Community Center delivers free, direct-service programs spanning behavioral health counseling, HIV/STI testing and PrEP navigation, LGBTQ-affirming housing (including a 43-bed youth emergency shelter), food resources, youth and senior programming, crisis intervention, and identity-specific community support. It serves the lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender, nonbinary, immigrant, and HIV communities of San Diego County through seven physical sites and telehealth, generating 109,000+ service visits annually.

Product overview

The San Diego LGBT Community Center is a single-site community center offering a comprehensive portfolio of direct service programs rather than a unified technology product or platform. Services are organized by population and need: behavioral health and crisis support, housing and homeless services, youth services (Hillcrest Youth Center and South Bay Youth Center), senior services, sexual health (BeTheGeneration), transgender services (Project TRANS), and identity-specific programs (Black Services, Latin@x Services, Women's Services, Men's Services, Family Services). The Center also operates supporting facilities including the Cyber Center (free computer access), Center Library (LGBTQ+ book collection), and Food Resources programs. Signature events include Dining Out For Life and LGBTQ+ Luminaries Lunch. The Center does not offer a software product, app, or platform—services are delivered in-person at multiple San Diego locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Behavioral Health Services
• Housing Services Comprehensive housing support program including the Safe STAY Wellness Center (43-bed LGBTQ-affirming emergency shelter for transitional-age youth), North Park Senior Apartments, Adult Housing Services, eviction prevention, and case management linkages. Served 550 clients with 1,890 services in FY25.
• BeTheGeneration Sexual Health and Wellness HIV testing, STI screening, and PrEP navigation services for LGBTQ+ community members and allies. Free testing with linkage to prevention, treatment, and ongoing care.
• Project TRANS Transgender Referrals, Assistance, Networking, and Services providing case management, support groups, referrals, and connections to gender-affirming healthcare providers and mental health services for transgender, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse individuals.
• Hillcrest Youth Center Safe, affirming LGBTQ+ youth space for ages 10-24 at 514 Pennsylvania Ave, San Diego, offering support groups, mental health resources, social activities, family advocacy, and scholarship connections.
• South Bay Youth Center Youth center serving ages 10-24 in the South Bay region of San Diego, providing programming, mental health drop-ins, HIV testing, and social support.
• Senior Services (50+ And Better Together) Programs for LGBTQ+ seniors including Feeling Fit classes, Senior Lunch & Learn, Congregate Meals, Trivia with Friends, Game Day, Pride Yoga, grief support, and case management at North Park Senior Apartments.
• Black Services Support and community programs for Black LGBTQ+ individuals including discussion groups, social events, and cultural programming such as the CREAM Ball and Shades of Color.
• Latin@x Services Spanish-language and culturally specific support groups and community programs for Latin@x LGBTQ+ community members including Rainbow Latinas, Accion Positiva, Las Manzanitas, and Mi Familia.
• Crisis Support Services (Stop the Hate) Crisis intervention services for reporting hate crimes and connecting community members to resources, support, and safety planning.
• Food Resources Food assistance programs including Project Compassion, Neighborhood Food Bank, and Senior Food Bank providing meals and groceries to community members facing food insecurity.
• Training Institute Professional LGBTQ+ training programs for organizations and individuals, including specialized 2SLGBTQ+ Opioid and Stimulant Use Prevention training.
• Dining Out For Life San Diego Annual signature dining fundraiser where participating restaurants across San Diego donate a portion of proceeds on a designated day to support The Center. Celebrating 20 years in 2026.
• LGBTQ+ Luminaries Lunch Annual fundraising luncheon celebrating LGBTQ+ community leaders and supporters. Third annual event scheduled for June 18, 2026.

Quantifiable outcome

• 109,000+ service visits annually with 21% year-over-year growth
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• Center Ride OutmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 April 2026New three-day HIV fundraising bike ride supporting LGBTQ centers in Southern California, running from Los Angeles to San Diego (April 24-26). Replaces the iconic AIDS/LifeCycle ride that concluded after nearly 30 years and over $349 million raised. Fundraising events have become essential amid diminishing government support for LGBTQ programs.
• USD Pride LawcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership with USD School of Law for transgender name and gender-marker change clinic. USD law students and volunteer attorneys assist eligible clients with completing necessary court applications. THLA (Transgender Health Leadership Alliance) also partners on this initiative.
• THLA (Transgender Health Leadership Alliance)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner in transgender name and gender-marker change clinic providing legal assistance to transgender and nonbinary individuals through San Diego County court system.
• San Francisco AIDS FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Partner in Cycle to Zero, a new three-day HIV fundraising bike ride (San Francisco to Guerneville and Sonoma, May 29-31) expanding to address broader health equity including stigma, overdose prevention, and mental health. Both organizations facing similar challenges from diminished government support.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Howard Brown Health: Chicago-based LGBTQ+ community health center providing primary care, behavioral health, and youth services. Comparable clinical-community hybrid model serving similar populations across multiple sites.
• GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis): New York-based AIDS service and LGBTQ+ health organization founded in 1982. Directly comparable in HIV testing, prevention, behavioral health, and advocacy—though with a narrower population focus (originating in gay men's health).
• San Francisco AIDS Foundation: San Francisco-based HIV/AIDS services and prevention organization with strong fundraising ride programs (Cycle to Zero). Direct peer on HIV services, prevention navigation, and signature fundraising event model.
• Los Angeles LGBT Center: The largest LGBT community center in the United States, providing health, housing, behavioral, and cultural services to LGBTQ+ people in Los Angeles. Directly comparable service mix and target population, just at significantly greater scale.
• Mazzoni Center: Philadelphia's LGBTQ+ health and wellness provider offering primary care, behavioral health, HIV services, and case management. Comparable clinical-community hybrid model, particularly around trans-affirming care.
• Whitman-Walker Health: Washington DC-based community health center and advocacy organization serving LGBTQ+ people with primary care, behavioral health, HIV services, and legal aid. Comparable in combining clinical services with community programming and policy advocacy.
• San Francisco LGBT Center: San Francisco's LGBTQ+ community center offering health, housing, youth, senior, and cultural programs. Closest geographic and operational peer to The Center, with similar wraparound service model across all major LGBTQ+ demographic segments.
• The Montrose Center: Houston-area LGBTQ+ community center providing counseling, HIV/STI services, youth programs, and senior services. Comparable mid-scale wraparound service model with strong behavioral health focus.
• Center on Halsted: Chicago's LGBTQ+ community center offering youth, senior, behavioral health, and HIV services from a community center hub. Highly comparable operating model and demographic programming mix.

Emerging players

• SAGE (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders): National LGBTQ+ aging organization offering programs, advocacy, and training for older adults. Highly relevant for The Center's senior services growth strategy (70% YoY) and the Thimot and Rawnsley Fund deployment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/LGBTCenterSD
• Facebookfacebook.com/At.The.Center
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/san-diego-lgbt-community-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/lgbtcenter
• Xx.com/LGBTCenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 San Diego LGBT Community Center