GLSEN
GLSEN is a US non-profit founded in 1990 that advocates for LGBTQ+ K-12 students by providing free educational resources, conducting the National School Climate Survey, operating a Policy Action Center, supporting student leadership, and offering crisis and legal support services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What GLSEN does
GLSEN (Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network) is a US-based non-profit organization founded in 1990 and headquartered in New York that works to end discrimination, harassment, and bias against LGBTQ+ students in K-12 schools. It serves three primary constituencies: LGBTQ+ students aged 13 and older, K-12 educators and school administrators, and a broader base of allies and donors. Its core offerings include the National School Climate Survey (a recurring proprietary research instrument), student and educator resource hubs, a Policy Action Center for advocacy, a National Student Council student-leadership program, crisis hotline and legal support services, and a branded merchandise shop.
The organization operates on a non-transactional model: all programmatic resources, research reports, and tools are distributed free of charge. Revenue is generated through charitable donations (processed via the Fundraise Up platform, with periodic matched-giving campaigns) and merchandise sales. Distribution is omnichannel, anchored by the glisten.org website, supplemented by a nationwide network of local chapters, organic social media presence across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube, email newsletters, and earned media. The technology stack is limited to standard web infrastructure (Cloudflare, Google Analytics, CookieHub, Fundraise Up); no proprietary software platforms, AI/ML capabilities, mobile applications, or API products are disclosed.
GLSEN firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GLSEN
- Legal name
- Glisten
- Website
- https://glsen.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- GLSEN is a US non-profit founded in 1990 that advocates for LGBTQ+ K-12 students by providing free educational resources, conducting the National School Climate Survey, operating a Policy Action Center, supporting student leadership, and offering crisis and legal support services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
GLSEN industry classification
Industry- Product category
- LGBTQ+ K-12 Education Advocacy Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Child and Youth Services (62411)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- School Counseling & Guidance Services (Academic/Social-Emotional) (EDAJALAF)
Keywords
Where GLSEN is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
GLSEN business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: Glisten relies on charitable donations from individuals and institutional funders to support its operations and programs. The site features a donation portal (act.glsen.org) and periodically runs matched giving campaigns (e.g., donations matched up to $25,000 during a defined campaign period).
- Merchandise Sales: The organization operates an online shop (shop.glsen.org) selling branded merchandise, generating revenue that supports the organization's mission and programs.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
GLSEN product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GLSEN is a non-profit organization that provides free research, educational resources, advocacy tools, and direct support services aimed at creating safer, more affirming K-12 school environments for LGBTQ+ students. Its core offerings include the recurring National School Climate Survey, student- and educator-facing resource hubs, a Policy Action Center, a National Student Council leadership program, crisis and legal support referrals, and a branded merchandise shop that funds its mission.
Product overview
GLSEN is a non-profit organization focused on championing LGBTQ+ issues in K-12 education. The organization operates as a resource and advocacy network rather than a traditional software product company. Its core offerings include the National School Climate Survey research initiative, Student Resources and Educator Resources hubs providing guidance materials for LGBTQ+ youth and school staff, a Policy Action Center for advocacy, a National Student Council leadership program, Crisis Hotline & Legal Support services, and a Shop for merchandise. These products work together to create safer school environments through research, advocacy, and direct support services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- National Student Council: Student advisory body for the organization focused on LGBTQ+ youth representation
- National School Climate Survey
Products and services
- National School Climate Survey Annual research product that collects and publishes proprietary data on the school climate experienced by LGBTQ+ students in K-12 settings; used by educators, policymakers, advocates, and the broader research community.
- National Student Council Student leadership program that connects LGBTQ+ K-12 students across the United States for peer organizing, leadership development, and youth-led advocacy campaigns.
- Crisis Hotline & Legal Support Support service that provides LGBTQ+ K-12 students with information and referrals to crisis hotlines and legal resources in cases of discrimination or emergency.
- Shop (shop.glsen.org) Online merchandise storefront selling branded apparel and accessories, generating revenue that funds GLSEN's advocacy and programs.
Companies that use GLSEN
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
GLSEN technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
GLSEN partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves3 records
Expansion highlights4 records
GLSEN competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is a leading LGBTQ+ youth nonprofit providing crisis intervention (TrevorLifeline), research, and advocacy — directly comparable to GLSEN's LGBTQ+ youth support and crisis/legal referral services, though with a stronger crisis-counseling focus and larger donor base.
- Campus Pride: Campus Pride is an LGBTQ+ student advocacy organization focused on higher education campuses, with parallel mission to GLSEN's student-led advocacy model. It is a direct peer in LGBTQ+ student organizing and policy, albeit shifted to the higher-ed segment.
- PFLAG: PFLAG is the nation's largest family and ally LGBTQ+ organization with a chapter-based network offering support, education, and advocacy. Its grassroots chapter structure and educational mission overlap directly with GLSEN's local chapter model and K-12 educator/community support work.
- Point Foundation: Point Foundation is the nation's largest LGBTQ+ scholarship-granting nonprofit, providing financial support and leadership development to LGBTQ+ students — a directly comparable mission in LGBTQ+ youth empowerment and leadership development.
Broad incumbents
- Human Rights Campaign: HRC is the largest U.S. LGBTQ+ civil rights advocacy organization, operating across federal policy, corporate equality, and broader advocacy. While not K-12 specific, HRC competes for the same donor dollars and policy mindshare in LGBTQ+ education advocacy.
- GLAAD: GLAAD is a leading LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization driving cultural change through media representation and anti-defamation work. Its advocacy and narrative-change mission overlaps with GLSEN's policy and public-education efforts around school climate.
Emerging players
- Learning for Justice (Southern Poverty Law Center): Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching Tolerance) provides free K-12 educational resources on equity, inclusion, and social justice. Its K-12 educator resource hub and free-distribution model are directly comparable to GLSEN's educator resources business.
- Matthew Shepard Foundation: The Matthew Shepard Foundation works to erase hate by inspiring and empowering individuals to embrace human dignity, including K-12 education and LGBTQ+ youth programs. It overlaps with GLSEN's school-climate mission but at smaller scale.
- Facing History and Ourselves: Facing History and Ourselves provides K-12 professional development, curriculum, and resources on history, ethics, and social justice. Its educator PD model and K-12 SEL focus overlap directly with GLSEN's educator training and inclusive-curriculum work.
- Family Equality: Family Equality advances equality for LGBTQ+ families through advocacy, support, and storytelling. Its education and family-advocacy mission partially overlaps with GLSEN's K-12 family/educator engagement work.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
GLSEN social profiles
Digital presenceGLSEN financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GLSEN leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
GLSEN funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GLSEN M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about GLSEN
What does GLSEN do?
GLSEN is a non-profit organization that provides free research, educational resources, advocacy tools, and direct support services aimed at creating safer, more affirming K-12 school environments for LGBTQ+ students. Its core offerings include the recurring National School Climate Survey, student- and educator-facing resource hubs, a Policy Action Center, a National Student Council leadership program, crisis and legal support referrals, and a branded merchandise shop that funds its mission.
Is GLSEN a public or private company?
GLSEN is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was GLSEN founded?
GLSEN was founded in 1990. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is GLSEN based?
GLSEN is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does GLSEN make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales.
Who are GLSEN's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Trevor Project, Campus Pride, PFLAG and Point Foundation. Broad incumbents are Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD. Emerging players are Learning for Justice (Southern Poverty Law Center), Matthew Shepard Foundation, Facing History and Ourselves and Family Equality.
Does GLSEN have an API?
No public API is recorded for GLSEN.
What industry is GLSEN in?
GLSEN's product category is LGBTQ+ K-12 Education Advocacy Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJALAF, School Counseling & Guidance Services (Academic/Social-Emotional). Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.