Maison Arc-en-Ciel de Liège

What Maison Arc-en-Ciel de Liège does

Maison Arc-en-Ciel de Liège — legally Maison Arc-en-Ciel de Liège – Alliàge asbl — is a Belgian non-profit association (asbl) founded in 1998 and headquartered at Rue Hors-Château 7, 4000 Liège. It self-identifies as the largest LGBTQIA+ association in Wallonia and serves lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual individuals and their allies in the Liège region. The organisation operates a physical community center open Monday to Friday, providing reception, listening services, individual social-work accompaniment (a two-person social service team), group activities, and rights-defence advocacy. Its core programs span social services, cultural programming (the Imagos cinema program and an exhibitions program), the SMAC annual literary festival, the Unique en son genre artistic-cultural project (with its own books and exhibitions), the Contes de fées children's podcast, and recurring community events including the annual Garden Party, Pride participation, Tea-Dance evenings, karaoke nights, Munch (BDSM/Fetish) gatherings, and themed community groups (La MAC s'amuse, La MAC au Féminin, La MAC autour du monde, La MAC en Gris).

The technology stack is modest and community-appropriate: a WordPress-based public website (macliege.be) with Google Analytics, supplemented by Facebook and Instagram presence, Spotify and Apple Podcasts distribution, and a monthly print-and-digital magazine called MACazine covering LGBTQIA+ news, culture, art, history, and community events. There is no proprietary software, app, API, or AI/ML component disclosed; the website and MACazine are the principal content platforms and serve as the organisation's top-of-funnel marketing channels alongside events and word-of-mouth referrals.

The business model is a classic non-profit funding stack. Revenue streams consist of recurring membership dues (cotisations) from "membre adhérent·e" and "membre effectif·ve" who gain governance rights at the General Assembly; voluntary public donations solicited through a dedicated "Faire un don" page; and institutional grants and project funding from the Province de Liège, Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, Unia, Loterie Nationale, and the Conseil Supérieur de l'Éducation aux Médias. The association is governed by an annually refreshed Board of Directors elected at the General Assembly (approximately 6 administrators as of the 2024-2025 board), with member-elected effective members (~24 new in 2024) forming the broader governance base. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: growth comes from referrals within the LGBTQIA+ community, cross-promotion with peer organisations, and visibility generated through events, Pride, and the MACazine rather than paid acquisition or commercial sales motions.

Name

Maison Arc-en-Ciel de Liège

Legal name

Maison Arc-en-Ciel de Liège – Alliàge asbl

Website

https://macliege.be

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Maison Arc-en-Ciel de Liège is a Belgian non-profit association and the largest LGBTQIA+ organisation in Wallonia, operating a community center in Liège that delivers social-work accompaniment, rights advocacy, cultural programming, a monthly magazine (MACazine), events, and partnership-based community services to LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies across the region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Liège

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership dues (cotisations): Members pay annual membership dues to support the association. Becoming a member provides voting rights at the General Assembly and access to services.
2. Donations (faire un don): The organization accepts donations from the public to support its activities and mission.
3. Public funding and grants: The organization receives institutional support, as evidenced by logos of Province de Liège, Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, Unia, and Loterie Nationale appearing as institutional partners. The podcast 'Contes de fées' was produced with support from the Conseil Supérieur de l'Éducation aux Médias de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Maison Arc-en-Ciel de Liège is the largest LGBTQIA+ association in Wallonia, operating a community center that provides reception, listening, and individual social-worker accompaniment for LGBTQIA+ persons and their allies. It runs the monthly MACazine magazine, organizes cultural programming (cinema screenings via Imagos, art exhibitions, the SMAC literary festival), maintains themed community groups, and publishes the children's media-education podcast 'Contes de fées'. Services are delivered from its Liège premises and through community events, advocacy, and a network of partner organizations across Belgium.

Product overview

Maison Arc-en-Ciel de Liège operates as a community association offering a diverse portfolio of services centered on LGBTQIA+ advocacy and community support. The core offerings include MACazine, a monthly magazine featuring news, culture, and community stories; cultural programming through cinema screenings and art exhibitions; social services providing individual support and referrals for LGBTQIA+ individuals; and various community groups such as La MAC s'amuse, La MAC au Féminin, La MAC autour du monde, and La MAC en Gris. The organization also runs the SMAC literary festival and the 'Unique en son genre' artistic project, alongside regular events including Garden Party, Tea-Dance evenings, karaoke nights, and the podcast 'Contes de fées' developed as media education content for children.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MACazine: Monthly newsletter/publication of the association covering LGBTQIA+ news, culture, art, history, and community activities.
• SMAC – Embrassez la littérature !
• Unique en son genre
• Imagos

Products and services

• MACazine (Monthly Magazine) Monthly magazine featuring LGBTQIA+ news, cultural content, community stories, artist profiles, historical chronicles, and event listings for the Liège area, distributed to members and subscribers by mail and digitally.
• Social Services (Individual Accompaniment) Individual accompaniment and social support for LGBTQIA+ persons delivered by a team of two referral social workers, including listening, referrals to the PMS network and community resources, and group animation services.
• SMAC - Semaine Littéraire (Literary Festival) Annual literary festival celebrating LGBTQIA+ literature, featuring readings, writing workshops, book presentations, and cultural events open to the LGBTQIA+ community and broader public.
• Cultural Programming (Cinema & Exhibitions — Imagos) Art exhibitions and cinema screenings featuring LGBTQIA+ themes, artists, and community projects, including the dedicated 'Imagos' cinema program and recurring art exhibitions on the association's premises.
• Podcast 'Contes de fées' Modern fairy tale podcast developed as media education content for children (ages 6+), featuring LGBTQIA+ themes and online safety education, distributed via the Podkid platform on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
• Community Groups (La MAC s'amuse, La MAC au Féminin, La MAC autour du monde, La MAC en Gris) Themed community groups (La MAC s'amuse, La MAC au Féminin, La MAC autour du monde, La MAC en Gris) providing social activities, peer support, and cultural engagement for different segments of the LGBTQIA+ community.
• 'Unique en son genre' Artistic Project Artistic and cultural project featuring artists, exhibitions, book publications, and events that celebrate LGBTQIA+ creativity and identity, integrated with the association's programming.
• Safe Space & Community Center Physical community center in Liège (Rue Hors-Château, 7) open weekdays for reception, listening, drop-in visits, and access to the association's activities, serving LGBTQIA+ individuals and their allies.

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Centre S (Centre Santé Sexuelle Liège)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentre S is a sexual health center in Liège that partners with the Maison Arc-en-Ciel de Liège on events and community programming. They co-organize events such as anonymous and free STI screening at the annual Garden Party and other activities. Centre S appears regularly in the MACazine agenda and is listed as a key partner.
• Genres PlurielscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenres Pluriels is an organization supporting trans and inter individuals. They are listed as a key partner organization and appear regularly in the MACazine's partner agenda, collaborating on community events and mutual promotion.
• Sport ArdentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSport Ardent is an LGBTQIA+ sports organization in Liège that partners with the Maison Arc-en-Ciel on sports events and activities. They have organized events such as the first LGBTQIA+ badminton tournament, and appear consistently in the MACazine partner agenda.
• Unique en son genrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnique en son genre is an artistic and cultural project associated with the Maison Arc-en-Ciel de Liège, focused on LGBTQIA+ art and culture. It has its own section on the MAC website, publishes books, organizes exhibitions, and hosts its own events. The project is closely integrated with the association.
• Belgium Bear PrideminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBelgium Bear Pride is the bear community organization in Belgium. The Maison Arc-en-Ciel de Liège supported Pavel's campaign for Mr Bear Belgium 2026, and Belgium Bear Pride backs the Carebears initiative led by Pavel. They partner on bear community events in Liège.
• Rainbow AmbassadorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRainbow Ambassadors is an association that supports LGBTQIA+ elderly in nursing homes. Pavel (Mr Bear Belgium 2026) mentioned having 'very interesting exchanges' with them during his community outreach, exploring collaboration opportunities for care and solidarity projects.
• Transkids BelgiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTranskids Belgium organizes events for trans children in Belgium. Pavel (Mr Bear Belgium 2026) mentioned them as a potential partner for the Carebears project, noting they need logistical help with organizing events such as vacation camps for trans children.
• À nous la nuitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerÀ nous la nuit is a collective that applies a 'care' approach in festive event settings. Pavel (Mr Bear Belgium 2026) is working with them to develop the Carebears initiative, drawing on their expertise in practicing care at nightlife events.
• Conseil Supérieur de l'Éducation aux Médias de la Fédération Wallonie-BruxellesminorOthersThe 'Contes de fées' podcast (a media education project for children ages 6+) was produced with the support of the Conseil Supérieur de l'Éducation aux Médias de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, along with Lvdt Studio and the Maison Arc-en-Ciel de Liège.
• UniaminorOthersUnia is a Belgian organization for equal opportunities. Their logo appears on the MAC Liège website as an institutional partner, alongside Province de Liège, Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, and Loterie Nationale.
• Lvdt StudiominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLvdt Studio is the production studio that developed the 'Contes de fées' podcast for the Maison Arc-en-Ciel de Liège's Podkid project. The studio worked in collaboration with the association to create the educational fairy tale content.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tels Quels: One of the older Belgian LGBTQIA+ associations, based in Brussels, providing community support, advocacy, and cultural activities. A direct comparable as a similarly structured LGBTQIA+ association facing similar member-engagement dynamics.
• Çavaria: The Flemish LGBTQIA+ umbrella organization in Belgium, operating the closest comparable model to MAC Liège: a membership-based association offering community services, advocacy, cultural programming, and policy work for LGBTQIA+ people. Most directly comparable peer, differentiated mainly by region (Flanders vs. Wallonia).
• Genres Pluriels: Belgian organization supporting transgender and intersex individuals, listed as a core strategic partner of MAC Liège with mutual promotion and co-programming. Comparable as a niche LGBTQIA+ advocacy and community organization, though narrower in target community.
• RainbowHouse Brussels: The Brussels-based LGBTQIA+ community center and federation of organizations, providing a physical house, social services, cultural programming, and community events. Operates a near-identical model to MAC Liège but at a larger scale and in Brussels.

Regional players

• Pride Liège: Local Pride organization in Liège that collaborates with MAC Liège for regional LGBTQIA+ visibility events. A regional peer operating in the same city with overlapping event programming.

Broad incumbents

• ILGA-Europe: The European umbrella for LGBTQIA+ organizations, based in Brussels. Acts as a broad incumbent in the same advocacy space, coordinating policy work and member organizations across Europe rather than delivering direct community services.
• Belgian Pride: National organizer of Belgium's flagship Pride event, in which MAC Liège participates. A broader-incumbent peer in LGBTQIA+ visibility and event programming, focused primarily on the annual national event rather than year-round community services.

Others

• Centre S (Centre Santé Sexuelle Liège): Liège-based sexual health center and core strategic partner of MAC Liège, co-organizing events such as STI screenings at the Garden Party. Not a direct LGBTQIA+ community-services competitor but an adjacent ecosystem partner serving overlapping populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/macliege.be
• Instagraminstagram.com/macliege.be
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/macdeliege

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 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 Maison Arc-en-Ciel de Liège