OUT

What OUT does

OUT LGBT Well-being is a registered South African non-profit organization founded in 1994 in Pretoria and headquartered at Sunwood Park, Lynwood. It is the country's second-oldest LGBTQ+ organization and serves gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) as its primary population, alongside the broader LGBTQ+ community including LGBT youth, refugees, and survivors of hate crimes. The organization delivers a portfolio of HIV and sexual health services (testing, ART, PrEP/PEP, STI treatment, chemsex harm reduction, viral hepatitis screening and vaccination), mental health programmes (Bazwa youth initiative, Jozi Mental Health Programme), and human rights programming including hate crime response, Equality Court support, and participation in the Department of Justice's National Task Team on SOGIESC Matters.

Until February 2025, OUT's health programming was anchored by the Engage Men's Health programme, funded primarily through PEPFAR/USAID (over 90% of organizational budget). The abrupt termination of US government funding on 26 February 2025 forced closure of Engage Men's Health on 31 March 2025 and triggered a major restructuring. In response, OUT launched +DR on 1 April 2026, a paid doctor-led medical practice in Pretoria offering consultations at R230–R460 per visit with telehealth support, and secured National Lotteries Commission funding to open new sites in Yeoville and Soweto in 2026. The organization continues to receive smaller grants from the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gilead Sciences, Grand Challenges Canada, and the US Embassy Julia Taft Fund, and operates as a community-based service rather than a technology platform.

Name

OUT

Legal name

OUT LGBT Well-being

Website

https://out.org.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

OUT LGBT Well-being is a South African non-profit founded in 1994 that delivers HIV prevention and sexual health services, chemsex harm reduction, mental health programmes, and human rights advocacy primarily for gay, bisexual, and other MSM, recently pivoting from grant-funded free services to a paid +DR clinic model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

LGBTQ+ Community Health Services

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), All Other Outpatient Care Centers (621498), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Health & Health Equity Organizations (BPAGACAL), Sexual Health & Relationship Wellness Education (EDAAAHAM)

Keywords

• LGBTQ+ health services
• Sexual health clinic
• HIV prevention care
• Human rights advocacy
• Community mental health

Headquarters

HQ city

Pretoria

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and grants: OUT is a registered non-profit organization (NPO) that relies on grants and donations from international donors, foundations, and government programs. Much of its work is funded by PEPFAR/USAID, the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gilead Sciences, the National Lotteries Commission, and the US Embassy Julia Taft Fund. Funds are often restricted to specific programmes.
2. Clinic service fees (+DR): OUT launched +DR, a paid doctor-led clinic in April 2026, generating revenue through consultation fees (R460 in-person, R350 telehealth) and medical services. Medical aid is accepted, and Discovery health members may qualify for Vitality rewards. This paid model supplements grant funding and supports organizational sustainability.
3. Tax-deductible donations: OUT accepts donations from individuals, companies, and trusts. Donations to OUT are tax-deductible under South African law (Section 18A), up to 10% of taxable income, enabling OUT to attract individual and corporate philanthropic giving.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

OUT LGBT Well-being is a South African non-profit founded in 1994 that provides LGBTQ+ affirming health services (HIV testing, sexual health care, PrEP) through its +DR clinic and community programmes, alongside human rights advocacy and training for gay, bisexual, and MSM communities. Historically free, its clinical services are now delivered on a paid basis via the +DR clinic while donor funding continues to support community-facing mental health, chemsex, and anti-hate initiatives.

Product overview

OUT LGBT Well-being offers a portfolio of health and human rights services for LGBTQ+ communities in South Africa. The primary health offering is +DR, a doctor-led medical practice providing HIV management, prevention (PrEP/PEP), sexual health services, and non-communicable disease management. Previously, OUT operated the Engage Men's Health (EMH) programme for MSM communities, which closed in 2025. The organization also runs a Human Rights Programme (Love Not Hate) addressing hate crimes and discrimination, a Chemsex Programme for harm reduction, and mental health initiatives including the Jozi Mental Health Programme and Bazwa youth programme.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• +Dr: An innovative doctor-led medical practice in Pretoria dedicated to LGBT people, with specialisation in MSM. Offers HIV management, prevention services, sexual health and wellness, chemsex harm reduction, and non-communicable disease management.

Products and services

• +DR Clinic
• Engage Men's Health
• Jozi Mental Health Free, donor-funded mental health support service for LGBTQ+ individuals in the Johannesburg area, delivered through channels including WhatsApp-based engagement.
• Bazwa Youth Mental Health
• Chemsex Programme Specialised harm-reduction, education, and support programme addressing chemsex practices and associated risks within MSM communities.
• Love Not Hate Human rights advocacy and anti-hate campaign aimed at combating discrimination, hate crimes, and stigma against the LGBTQ+ community in South Africa.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,000 MSM maintained on life-saving antiretroviral therapy (ART) through Engage Men's Health
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• FHI 360 (EpiC Project)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOUT previously received USAID funding as a sub-award through FHI 360's EpiC project before graduating to direct recipient status in 2023. FHI 360 managed the EpiC (Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control) project supporting HIV services for key populations.
• The Other FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Other Foundation hosted the Regional Convening on Protection and Emergency Response for LGBTI Human Rights Defenders in Southern Africa (June 2026, Johannesburg), commissioning a research report and shaping a regional emergency response protocol. OUT participated as a key stakeholder.
• Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria Faculty of LawcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted the Regional Convening on Protection and Emergency Response for LGBTI Human Rights Defenders in Southern Africa alongside The Other Foundation. OUT participated, represented by Sibonelo Ncanana-Trower.
• Department of Health (South Africa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOUT collaborates with Gauteng and Eastern Cape Provincial Health Departments and the City of Johannesburg Health Department to increase demand, availability, and access to HIV prevention, care, and treatment services for MSM. OUT works with the Department on implementing the new Jeppe Street Key Population Clinic and will support PrEP provision from 2026.
• Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (South Africa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOUT co-chairs the Department of Justice's Task Team addressing LGBTQ+ hate crimes and broader human rights challenges. Sibonelo Ncanana-Trower was appointed Co-Chair of the National Task Team (NTT) on SOGIESC Matters convened by the Department.
• Hate Crimes Working GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOUT was instrumental in founding the Hate Crimes Working Group, a coalition that has influenced hate crime legislation and advised government on LGBTQ+ rights. The Working Group monitors hate crime cases and advocates for legislative action.
• Southern African HIV Clinicians SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOUT partnered with the Society in late 2025 to launch clinical guidelines for chemsex harm reduction. OUT co-authored the landmark Southern African HIV Clinicians Society Harm Reduction Guideline for Chemsex.
• National LGBTI Task Team on SOGIESC MatterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOUT participates in the National LGBTI Task Team on SOGIESC Matters. Sibonelo Ncanana-Trower, OUT's Human Rights Coordinator, was appointed Co-Chair. The Task Team coordinates civil society and government responses to SOGIESC-based discrimination.
• Gauteng Department of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOUT works with Gauteng Department of Health on HIV service delivery. STI data from Gauteng Department of Health shows the percentage of men with STIs rose from 12% in 2020 to 15% in 2023, informing OUT's awareness campaigns.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• FHI 360 (EpiC Project): Global health organisation that previously sub-awarded PEPFAR funding to OUT and now operates the EpiC key-population programme. Incumbent in the same funder ecosystem and competing for similar grants.
• Treatment Action Campaign (TAC): Long-established South African HIV advocacy organisation with broader (general population) focus. Incumbent in HIV policy space and competes for the same donor funding pools.
• Population Services International (PSI): Global health social enterprise running key-population HIV programmes in Southern Africa with paid-service models similar in spirit to +DR. Comparable on sustainability and demand-creation approaches.

Direct peers

• Wits RHI (Health4Men): University-based research institute operating Health4Men, a dedicated MSM sexual health service in Johannesburg. Direct peer in the same MSM HIV prevention and PrEP delivery space in South Africa.
• Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation: Operates youth- and MSM-focused HIV prevention programmes in Cape Town and Western Cape. Comparable in mission, key-population focus, and PEPFAR-funded clinical research.
• Anova Health Institute: South African NGO delivering HIV prevention, treatment, and key-population programmes with similar MSM-focused clinic models. Directly competes for PEPFAR/Global Fund awards and serves overlapping populations in Johannesburg and other metros.
• Triangle Project: Cape Town-based LGBTQ+ NGO providing health, counselling, and human rights services. Direct peer in LGBTQ+ community health and rights work, though operating in a different metro.
• The Other Foundation: Pan-African LGBTI philanthropy and advocacy foundation based in Johannesburg. Peer in convening Southern African LGBTI human rights defenders and shaping regional funding agendas.
• Iranti: Johannesburg-based LGBTQ+ human rights and media organisation. Direct peer on the advocacy/hate crimes side, with overlapping participation in the National Task Team on SOGIESC.

Others

• Elton John AIDS Foundation: Major international HIV funder that has funded OUT's chemsex and MSM programmes. Ecosystem partner rather than competitor; useful comparator for funder strategy in MSM harm reduction.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/outlgbt
• Facebookfacebook.com/outlgbt
• Instagraminstagram.com/out_lgbt_wellbeing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/out-lgbt-well-being

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 OUT