LGBT National Help Center
Founded in 1996, the LGBT National Help Center is a San Francisco-based nonprofit providing free, confidential peer-support hotlines, chat, and text services to LGBTQIA+ individuals, delivered by LGBTQIA+ volunteers and supported by a 21,000+ resource database.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What LGBT National Help Center does
The LGBT National Help Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1996 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, that provides free, confidential peer-support services to LGBTQIA+ individuals across the United States and, via its online channels, internationally. Its core service lines include toll-free hotlines, one-to-one web chat, and text-based support, supplemented by a curated database of more than 21,000 LGBTQ+ resources used for community referrals. Service delivery is volunteer-driven, with paid staff described as 1–10 employees, and all volunteers and staff are required to be LGBTQIA+ identified, embedding lived experience into the support model. The organization also operates the affiliated LGBT Switchboard of New York, which has been in continuous service since 1972.
The technology surface is deliberately low-tech and accessible: standard phone systems, a web-chat platform, and SMS support — mechanisms chosen for reach across vulnerable populations rather than novelty. There is no proprietary software product, no app store presence, and no enterprise SaaS layer; the 21,000+ resource database functions as the only meaningful internal IP asset.
The business model is donation-supported. All services are provided free of charge to end users, with revenue derived from individual donations, fundraising events, and affiliate partnerships (e.g., Bonfire, Bookshop.org). The organization does not disclose revenue, has no funding rounds in its history, and operates without commercial contracts, making it a mission-pure nonprofit rather than a venture-backed entity. The 30th anniversary in 2026 is being used as a programming and outreach catalyst, including the launch of a new initiative called LGBT PridePath.
LGBT National Help Center firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LGBT National Help Center
- Legal name
- GLBT National Help Center
- Website
- https://lgbthotline.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Founded in 1996, the LGBT National Help Center is a San Francisco-based nonprofit providing free, confidential peer-support hotlines, chat, and text services to LGBTQIA+ individuals, delivered by LGBTQIA+ volunteers and supported by a 21,000+ resource database.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
LGBT National Help Center industry classification
Industry- Product category
- LGBTQ+ Peer Support Services
- NAICS
- Social Assistance (624), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)
Keywords
Where LGBT National Help Center is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
LGBT National Help Center business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: One-time and recurring monetary donations from individual supporters through online donation platforms (Network for Good, Givebutter). Donations drive the organization's community-focused programming.
- Fundraising Events and Merchandise: Revenue generated through fundraising events (concert series, tattoo parlor events, t-shirt sales, wine and coffee products) where portions of proceeds support the organization. Charity vehicle donations also accepted.
- Affiliate Programs: Commission revenue through Bookshop.org affiliate program when supporters purchase LGBTQ+ books through the organization's shop links.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
LGBT National Help Center product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The LGBT National Help Center provides free, confidential peer counseling and information to LGBTQIA+ individuals and those calling on their behalf. It is delivered through multiple toll-free hotlines, online chat, moderated chatrooms, and email, supplemented by a database of local LGBTQ+-friendly resources. All services are staffed by LGBTQIA+-identified volunteers and are offered at no cost.
Product overview
The LGBT National Help Center operates a comprehensive suite of peer-support services for the LGBTQIA+ community, built around multiple hotline programs and digital platforms. The core offering consists of five phone-based hotlines: the LGBT National Hotline (general support for all ages), the LGBT National Coming Out Support Hotline, the LGBT National Youth Talkline (ages 25 and younger), the LGBT National Senior Hotline (ages 50 and above), and the LGBT Switchboard of New York (the world's oldest operating LGBTQ hotline since 1972). These are complemented by digital services including One-to-One Online Peer Support Chat for confidential instant messaging, and moderated LGBTQ Youth Chatrooms for teens. Supporting these direct services are two resource platforms: LGBT Near Me (a searchable database of over 21,000 LGBTQ+ resources across the US and Canada) and LGBT PridePath (a relocation decision-making tool). Email support provides an asynchronous alternative for those unable to call or chat. All services are staffed entirely by LGBTQIA+-identified volunteers and are completely free and confidential.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- LGBT PridePath: A free tool designed to help make informed decisions around relocation based on laws and protections important to LGBTQ+ individuals.
- LGBT Near Me
- LGBT Switchboard of New York
- LGBT National Coming Out Support Hotline
Products and services
- National LGBT Hotline Free, confidential peer-support hotline for LGBTQIA+ people, family, and friends across the United States.
- National Youth Talkline Free, confidential peer-support phone line for LGBTQIA+ youth.
- Coming Out Support Free, confidential peer counseling for individuals and family members navigating the coming-out process.
- Trans Information & Peer Support Line Free, confidential peer support and information for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming individuals.
- Senior Line Free, confidential peer-support hotline for older LGBTQIA+ adults.
- Online Peer Chat Free, confidential one-on-one peer support delivered via the organization’s website.
- Youth Online Chatroom Moderated group online chatroom for LGBTQIA+ youth to connect with peers.
- Adult Online Chatroom Moderated group online chatroom for adult LGBTQIA+ community members.
- Email Peer Support Free, confidential peer support delivered asynchronously via email.
- Local Resource Database Online database of LGBTQ+-friendly resources to help callers find local support and services.
Companies that use LGBT National Help Center
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
LGBT National Help Center technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
LGBT National Help Center partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Network for GoodcoreOnline donation processing platform used by the organization for one-time and recurring donations. Provides the donation infrastructure at donatenow.networkforgood.org/1210845/.
- GivebutterminorDonation platform partner allowing supporters to make monetary contributions to the organization.
- Bookshop.orgminorAffiliate partnership where a portion of book purchases made through the organization's Bookshop.org shop (bookshop.org/shop/LGBThotline) supports the organization's programs at no additional cost to the buyer.
- Raging Bull VineyardminorWine partner producing 'UPLIFT - Red Wine Blend' with proceeds benefiting the LGBT National Help Center in 2026.
- Has Beans CoffeeminorCoffee partner producing 'You Matter Pride Blend' with proceeds benefiting the LGBT National Help Center in 2026.
- BonfireminorT-shirt merchandise partner hosting 'Protect Queer Youth' t-shirt designs with proceeds going directly to the LGBT National Help Center.
- CloztalkminorApparel partner offering LGBT National Help Center branded clothing items to raise awareness and support.
- Queer-Owned Businesses Chosen Charity ProgramminorProgram where queer-owned businesses pledge support to the organization as their chosen charity, providing ongoing fundraising support.
- CarEasy (Vehicle Donation Program)minorVehicle donation partner allowing supporters to donate cars in support of the organization. Donations are tax-deductible.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
LGBT National Help Center competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks2 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
LGBT National Help Center social profiles
Digital presenceLGBT National Help Center financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LGBT National Help Center leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
LGBT National Help Center subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
LGBT National Help Center funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LGBT National Help Center 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 LGBT National Help Center
What does LGBT National Help Center do?
The LGBT National Help Center provides free, confidential peer counseling and information to LGBTQIA+ individuals and those calling on their behalf. It is delivered through multiple toll-free hotlines, online chat, moderated chatrooms, and email, supplemented by a database of local LGBTQ+-friendly resources. All services are staffed by LGBTQIA+-identified volunteers and are offered at no cost.
Is LGBT National Help Center a public or private company?
LGBT National Help Center is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was LGBT National Help Center founded?
LGBT National Help Center was founded in 1996. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is LGBT National Help Center based?
LGBT National Help Center is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does LGBT National Help Center make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are fundraising Events and Merchandise and affiliate Programs.
Does LGBT National Help Center have an API?
No public API is recorded for LGBT National Help Center.
What industry is LGBT National Help Center in?
LGBT National Help Center's product category is LGBTQ+ Peer Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAFAE, LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations. Its NAICS code is 624 and its SIC code is 8300.