Encircle
Encircle is a Utah-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating five physical community homes that provide free LGBTQ+ youth, adult, and family services — including drop-in programs, peer-led support groups, and licensed affirming therapy — funded primarily through donations, corporate partnerships, and insurance-billed clinical revenue.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersSalt Lake City, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Encircle does
Encircle is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates physical community homes providing free LGBTQ+ youth (ages 12-25), adult (26+), and family services, including drop-in programming, peer-led Friendship Circles, family education, and licensed affirming therapy. Founded in February 2017 by Stephenie Larsen in Provo, Utah, the organization has expanded to five Utah locations in Provo, Salt Lake City, St. George, Heber City, and Ogden, with a stated multi-state expansion plan into Arizona, Idaho, and Nevada. Since founding, Encircle has served more than 70,000 individuals, logged 34,000+ visits in 2024, and reports zero youth suicides among program participants.
The organization's core offering combines free in-person safe spaces, identity-segmented peer support groups, community events (Rainbow Brunch, Pride Carnival, Only Love Gala), and a wholly-owned clinical subsidiary, Encircle Therapy, that bills insurance across major Utah payers and operates a 100% donor-funded 26-session scholarship program. There is no proprietary technology platform; delivery runs through residential-style physical homes plus standard video conferencing for telehealth sessions. Encircle's trademarked "No Sides, Only Love" philosophy and HBO documentary exposure (via Imagine Dragons' Dan Reynolds) have built national brand recognition and unlocked flagship donor commitments.
Revenue is generated through individual donations (one-time and recurring Community Circle giving), corporate partnership tiers ($10K-$100K+), event sponsorships, insurance-billed therapy, and legacy/planned giving. Major capital has come via the "$8 Million, 8 Houses" campaign anchored by Apple ($1M), Ryan and Ashley Smith ($2M), and Dan Reynolds/Aja Volkman ($1M home), with debt-free real estate donated by philanthropist Brad Clark and builder support from Nilson Homes. In 2024, Alex Cutini (former Goldman Sachs VP) was appointed Executive Director, succeeding Jordan Sgro.
Encircle firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Encircle
- Legal name
- Encircle Family and Youth Resource Center
- Website
- https://encircletogether.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Encircle is a Utah-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating five physical community homes that provide free LGBTQ+ youth, adult, and family services — including drop-in programs, peer-led support groups, and licensed affirming therapy — funded primarily through donations, corporate partnerships, and insurance-billed clinical revenue.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Encircle industry classification
Industry- Product category
- LGBTQ+ Youth and Family Community Services
- NAICS
- Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (624110)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK), Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC)
Keywords
Where Encircle is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Salt Lake City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Encircle business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Individual and Corporate Donations: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Encircle's primary revenue comes from individual donations (one-time and monthly recurring through Community Circle), corporate giving partners, and major donor campaigns. The Pride 2026 campaign seeks to raise $300,000 with a $150,000 match. The $8 Million, 8 Houses capital campaign targeted major gifts.
- Therapy Fees and Insurance: Encircle Therapy generates revenue through insurance billing. Accepted plans include SelectHealth, BlueCross BlueShield, Molina, Cigna, Medicaid (some plans), University of Utah Health, PEHP, EMI, and UnitedHealthcare. This provides a sustainable revenue stream for clinical operations.
- Event Sponsorships and Brand Partnerships: Corporate brand partnerships include event sponsorships (Pride Carnival, Rainbow Brunch, Only Love Gala), cause marketing campaigns, and employee giving/matching programs. Partnership tiers at $10,000, $25,000, $50,000, and $100,000+ fund specific homes and programs.
- Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts: Encircle accepts planned gifts including bequests in wills/trusts, beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance, donor-advised fund successor grants, stock appreciated securities gifts, IRA/retirement account gifts, and real estate donations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free community programs for all ages |
| Hybrid | Per session | Subsidized therapy through scholarships and insurance |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Encircle product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Encircle operates five physical community homes across Utah that provide free drop-in safe spaces, peer-led Friendship Circles, and weekly programs (Art Night, Music Night, Family Dinner, etc.) for LGBTQ+ youth ages 12-25, adults 26+, and parents/families. The organization also runs Encircle Therapy, offering licensed LGBTQ+-affirming individual, family, and couples therapy delivered in-person and via telehealth, with a donor-funded scholarship program covering 26 sessions per awardee for those experiencing poverty.
Product overview
Encircle is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive ecosystem of LGBTQ+ youth and family support services through physical community homes and mental health programs. The core offering consists of five physical locations (Provo, Salt Lake City, St. George, Heber, and Ogden, Utah) providing safe spaces, peer-led Friendship Circles, and community programming. Encircle Therapy provides licensed LGBTQ+-affirming mental health services with a scholarship program for those experiencing financial barriers. The organization also operates volunteer, intern, and brand partnership programs, plus legacy giving options for donors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Encircle Youth Programs Drop-in hours, groups, and weekly activities for LGBTQ+ youth ages 12-25, including Youth Friendship Circles, Art Night, Music Night, Media Night, Fun Friday, and Dungeons & Dragons, offered free at all five Utah homes Monday-Friday 3-8pm.
- Encircle Adult Programs Resources, support services, and adult-specific programming for LGBTQ+ adults ages 26+, including designated creative programs and identity-segmented peer support groups, offered free at Utah homes.
- Encircle Parents, Families & Allies Programs Programs connecting parents, families, and allies with community resources, peer support groups, family dinners, and family therapy to support an LGBTQ+ loved one.
- Encircle Therapy One-on-one sessions with licensed LGBTQ+-affirming therapists for youth, adults, parents, families, and couples, delivered in-person at Utah homes and via telehealth; billed through insurance with a scholarship program for uninsured clients.
- Encircle Therapy Scholarship Program Fully funded therapy scholarships covering 26 sessions per awardee for LGBTQ+ individuals who cannot afford mental health care; 100% community/donor-funded.
- Friendship Circles Weekly peer-led support groups divided by age and identity, including Youth Friendship Circle, Young Adult Friendship Circle, Gay Adult, Lesbian Adult, Bi/Pan & Nonbinary, Ace/Aro, QTBIPOC, and Trans Friendship Circles.
- Community Events Regular community gatherings including Rainbow Brunch (monthly first Saturday), Pride Carnival (June), Halloween Carnival, Holiday Party, and weekly Family Dinners, serving as both service delivery and community-building touchpoints.
- Crisis Resources Immediate support, hotlines, and emergency contacts for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing mental health crises, provided through the therapy program.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 70,000 individuals served since 2017
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Encircle
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Encircle technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Encircle partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Park RecordminorLocal Heber Valley newspaper that covered Encircle Heber's community impact story, providing earned media and visibility for the organization.
- Standard ExaminerminorLocal Ogden newspaper that covered the opening of the Encircle Ogden facility, providing earned media coverage for the launch.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves13 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Encircle competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- GLSEN: GLSEN works to create safe and inclusive K-12 schools for LGBTQ+ students through educator training, student programs, and policy advocacy. Encircle's School and Educator outreach segment parallels GLSEN's mission, though Encircle delivers via community homes while GLSEN works inside school systems.
- Point Foundation: Point Foundation provides scholarships, mentorship, and leadership development for LGBTQ+ students. It is comparable to Encircle in serving LGBTQ+ young adults with developmental programming, but focuses on higher-education pathways rather than community centers and therapy.
- It Gets Better Project: The It Gets Better Project is a nonprofit media organization that connects LGBTQ+ youth with storytelling and global community resources. It is comparable to Encircle in mission (LGBTQ+ youth support) but operates primarily through digital storytelling and content rather than physical service delivery.
- Trans Lifeline: Trans Lifeline is a peer-support hotline run by and for transgender people, providing crisis intervention and community resources. It parallels Encircle's crisis resources and Trans Friendship Circles, though Trans Lifeline is entirely volunteer-driven and digital while Encircle combines physical and clinical delivery.
Direct peers
- Lambert House: Lambert House is a Seattle-based LGBTQ+ youth center offering drop-in spaces, support groups, and community programming for young people ages 10-22. It is a direct comparable to Encircle's youth Friendship Circles and drop-in model, both operating physical community homes serving LGBTQ+ youth in a defined metro area.
- Out Youth (Austin): Out Youth is an Austin, Texas-based organization providing drop-in services, counseling, and support groups for LGBTQ+ youth ages 12-18. It is highly comparable to Encircle's youth programming structure and Friendship Circles, operating a physical community space for LGBTQ+ youth in a single metropolitan area.
- PFLAG National: PFLAG is the largest family-ally organization for LGBTQ+ people, with hundreds of local chapters providing support groups for parents, families, and allies. It directly mirrors Encircle's Parents, Families & Allies Programs and CONNECT Night parent programming, though PFLAG delivers via volunteer-led chapters rather than physical centers.
- Hetrick-Martin Institute: Hetrick-Martin Institute serves LGBTQ+ youth and young adults ages 13-24 with education, housing, mental health, and arts programming out of a New York City center. It is a direct peer to Encircle's physical-community-home model for LGBTQ+ youth services, though concentrated in a single urban market.
Broad incumbents
- Los Angeles LGBT Center: The Los Angeles LGBT Center is one of the largest LGBTQ+ community organizations in the world, offering youth services, mental health care, housing, and community programming under a multi-service umbrella. It is comparable to Encircle as a multi-program LGBTQ+ resource provider, though it operates at significantly greater scale across a single metro area.
- The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is the largest national organization focused on LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention and mental health, operating a 24/7 crisis lifeline, chat, and text services. It is comparable to Encircle because both serve LGBTQ+ young people with mental health support, though Trevor Project operates nationally via digital channels while Encircle anchors delivery in physical community homes.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Encircle social profiles
Digital presenceEncircle financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Encircle leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Encircle subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Encircle funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Encircle 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 Encircle
What does Encircle do?
Encircle operates five physical community homes across Utah that provide free drop-in safe spaces, peer-led Friendship Circles, and weekly programs (Art Night, Music Night, Family Dinner, etc.) for LGBTQ+ youth ages 12-25, adults 26+, and parents/families. The organization also runs Encircle Therapy, offering licensed LGBTQ+-affirming individual, family, and couples therapy delivered in-person and via telehealth, with a donor-funded scholarship program covering 26 sessions per awardee for those experiencing poverty.
Is Encircle a public or private company?
Encircle is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Encircle founded?
Encircle was founded in 2017. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Encircle based?
Encircle is headquartered in Salt Lake City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Encircle make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual and Corporate Donations are the primary driver. The others are therapy Fees and Insurance, event Sponsorships and Brand Partnerships and planned Giving and Legacy Gifts.
Who are Encircle's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are GLSEN, Point Foundation, It Gets Better Project and Trans Lifeline. Direct peers are Lambert House, Out Youth (Austin), PFLAG National and Hetrick-Martin Institute. Broad incumbents are Los Angeles LGBT Center and The Trevor Project.
Does Encircle have an API?
No public API is recorded for Encircle.
What industry is Encircle in?
Encircle's product category is LGBTQ+ Youth and Family Community Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAFAE, LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations, with a secondary code of BPAGADAK, Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 62411 and its SIC code is 8300.