The LGBT Center of Greater Reading

What The LGBT Center of Greater Reading does

The LGBT Center of Greater Reading is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered at 640 Centre Avenue in Reading, Pennsylvania, that creates, administers, and provides services, advocacy, and support to the Greater Reading LGBTQ+ community and its allies. The organization operates as an integrated community service platform delivering LGBTQ+ affirming mental health counseling (individual, couples, youth, and Gender Affirming Care Letters), crisis and identity-based support groups (Safe Space Survivors, VOICES youth, H.E.R. women's), social and arts programming (Gaymers Unite, Trailgayzers, Writing Group, Art Club), and specialized resources for transgender/nonbinary individuals, seniors, and survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence.

The center's service stack also includes a walk-in community center with Wi-Fi, games, and study space; a free food pantry operating twice monthly; an LGBTQ+ library and sensory space (Serenity Space) for neurodivergent visitors; and organizational training programs (LGBTQ+ 101/201/301) priced at $525-$750 per session. It also runs internship supervision pipelines for graduate counseling and social work candidates. Technology footprint is minimal — the organization relies on a Wix website, Facebook, Instagram, and email newsletters, with no proprietary platforms, AI capabilities, or software products.

The business model is primarily donation- and grant-funded, with Pride Partner monthly subscriptions, corporate giving programs, employer matching, community foundation grants, and legacy gifts forming the financial backbone. Fee-generating revenue lines include sliding-scale counseling, organizational training contracts, and merchandise sold through a Print Your Cause storefront. The organization serves LGBTQ+ individuals, youth ages 14-18, seniors, women, trans/nonbinary individuals, and survivors across Berks and Lebanon counties, supported by a small staff of 1-10 employees and a network of healthcare, educational, and advocacy partners including Tower Health Medical Group, Planned Parenthood Keystone, and the Eastern PA Trans Equity Project.

Name

The LGBT Center of Greater Reading

Legal name

LGBT Center of Greater Reading

Website

https://lgbtcenterofreading.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The LGBT Center of Greater Reading is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Reading, Pennsylvania providing LGBTQ+ affirming counseling, support groups, community space, food pantry, library/sensory space, and organizational training. It serves LGBTQ+ individuals, youth, seniors, women, and trans/nonbinary community members across Berks and Lebanon counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services (LGBTQ+ Nonprofit)

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Literature & Book Clubs / Guided Reading Groups (EDAMAJAG)

Keywords

• LGBTQ+ community services
• Mental health counseling
• Community center programs
• Sensitivity training services
• Support group facilitation

Headquarters

HQ city

Reading

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Primary funding source from individual donations, monthly Pride Partner subscriptions, corporate giving programs (Smile Associates, ShopRaise), employer matching, and legacy gifts. Also relies on grants from community foundations and government support.
2. Counseling Services: Offers LGBTQ+ focused counseling at a generously discounted sliding scale rate. Revenue is minimal as services are heavily subsidized for the community.
3. Training and Education: Provides LGBTQ+ sensitivity training courses to organizations. For-profit organizations pay $750 per session, non-profits pay $525 per session. Additional fees for customization and additional participants over 25.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sells Pride merchandise including t-shirts, bags, and other items through Print Your Cause store to support the center's operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The LGBT Center of Greater Reading operates a physical community center providing LGBTQ+ affirming counseling (individual, couples, youth, and Gender Affirming Care Letters), facilitated support and social groups, educational sensitivity training for organizations, a library and sensory space, a free food pantry, and resource referrals. Services are delivered at a single Reading, PA location, funded primarily through donations, grants, and Pride Partner monthly giving, with paid training and merchandise as secondary revenue.

Product overview

The LGBT Center of Greater Reading operates as a community center providing a comprehensive suite of LGBTQ+-focused services. The organization functions as a single integrated platform offering mental health counseling (individual, couples, youth, and Gender Affirming Care Letters), crisis support groups (survivors support, youth VOICES, women's H.E.R. group), social groups (gaming, hiking), arts and culture programming (writing, art), and educational training programs (LGBTQ+ 101/201/301 sensitivity trainings). Supporting services include a physical Community Center space, Library & Sensory Space (Serenity Space) for neurodivergent individuals, Food Pantry, Health & Wellness resources, Trans & Nonbinary resources, and volunteer/donation programs. The center also offers internship supervision for counseling and social work graduate students. The organization does not operate a software product but provides direct community services from its Reading, PA location.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Counseling Services LGBTQ+ affirming counseling offered at a sliding scale rate, including individual counseling, couples counseling, youth counseling, and Gender Affirming Care Letters for HRT and surgery requirements. Designed for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in the Greater Reading area.
• Circle of Care: Therapeutic Sponsorship Program A therapeutic scholarship fund offering 6 fully covered therapy sessions to LGBTQ+ individuals facing both emotional and financial challenges. Sponsored by donors to subsidize counseling access.
• Community Center A safe, free walk-in space open Monday-Friday where visitors can relax, study, or work, with access to television, Wi-Fi, games, and laptops. Available to LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in the Greater Reading area.
• Library & Sensory Space (Serenity Space) A decompression space designed for neurodivergent individuals featuring stim/fidget toys, weighted blanket, jumbo beanbag chair, low lighting, yoga mats, star projector, and an LGBTQ+ focused library with books available for 2-week checkout.
• Food Pantry Free shelf-stable food distribution for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in need, open every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month from 12pm to 4pm. Includes resources for SNAP benefits, nutrition, and recipes provided by Helping Harvest.
• Support Groups Facilitated support groups including Safe Space Survivors Support Group (100% anonymous, sexual assault/IPV survivors, 18+), VOICES LGBTQ+ Youth Group (ages 14-18), and H.E.R. LGBTQ+ Women's Group. Free to attend.
• Social Groups Social groups including Gaymers Unite (video games, board games, card games) meeting 1st and 3rd Mondays, and Trailgayzers Hiking & Nature Group open to all ages. Free peer-led social programming.
• Arts & Culture Groups Creative groups including Writing Group (prose, poetry, prompts) meeting 1st Friday and Art Club (painting, pottery, sculpting) meeting 2nd Thursday. Free arts programming for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies.
• Education & Training Programs (LGBTQ+ 101/201/301) Paid LGBTQ+ sensitivity training courses for organizations: LGBTQ+ 101: An Introduction to Identities (1 hour), LGBTQ+ 201: Allyship in Practice (1.5 hours), and LGBTQ+ 301: Exploring Gender & Pronouns (2 hours). For-profit organizations pay $750/session; non-profits pay $525/session. Custom trainings available.
• Online Trainings Self-paced online training courses created and hosted by the Center's experienced staff. Currently available for individuals, with organizational versions in development.
• Pride Merchandise Store (Print Your Cause) Pride merchandise store featuring t-shirts, bags, and other items sold through Print Your Cause, with proceeds supporting the Center's operations.

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Albright CollegeminorOthersEducational institution partner providing support and resources for LGBTQ+ students and community.
• Planned Parenthood KeystonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing sexual and reproductive health education and services to the LGBTQ+ community.
• Berks County Public LibrariesminorOthersCommunity resource partner providing access to information and educational materials.
• Tower Health Medical GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare provider partner offering transgender clinic services and primary care for LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Reading PRIDE CelebrationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-host partner for Pride celebrations and community events in the Greater Reading area.
• GLBTQ Resource Center, Kutztown UniversityminorOthersUniversity-based LGBTQ+ resource center providing educational resources and support.
• Eastern PA Trans Equity ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner focused on transgender equity and advocacy services in Eastern Pennsylvania.
• Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing resources and support for sexual assault survivors through the Safe Space support group.
• Greater Reading Unity CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner working toward LGBTQ+ unity and advocacy in Greater Reading area.
• SAGE (SAGEYOU)minorOthersNational LGBTQ+ elder organization providing resources and programming for aging community members.
• Senator Judy SchwankminorOthersPolitical supporter and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in Pennsylvania.
• Representative Johanny Cepeda-FreytizminorOthersPolitical supporter and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
• Mayor Eddie MoranminorOthersMayor of Reading, PA, supporting LGBTQ+ community initiatives.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Center on Halsted: Chicago-based LGBTQ+ community center providing comprehensive services including counseling, support groups, youth programming, senior services, and community education. Highly comparable integrated service model at larger scale.
• Mazzoni Center: Philadelphia-based LGBTQ+ health and wellness organization providing behavioral health counseling, primary care, gender-affirming care, and support services. Directly comparable mission with stronger clinical focus, also serving eastern Pennsylvania.
• Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center: Allentown, PA-based LGBTQ+ community center offering similar integrated services including training, support groups, arts programming, and community education. Operates at a comparable scale in an adjacent Pennsylvania region, making it the closest geographic and programmatic peer.
• Pittsburgh LGBTQIA+ Community Center: Pittsburgh-based LGBTQ+ community center offering counseling, support groups, youth programming, and community education. Directly comparable service model in another Pennsylvania region.
• William Way LGBT Community Center: Philadelphia-based LGBTQ+ community center providing counseling referrals, support groups, arts/culture programming, library, and community education. Comparable service mix and mission, with broader geographic reach in eastern PA.

Others

• Berks County Community Foundation: The community foundation that funds the Center and operates in its service geography. Relevant as a financial partner/funder rather than a competitor, but comparable as a Berks County-based community-support institution.

Emerging players

• The Trevor Project: National LGBTQ+ youth mental health organization providing crisis intervention, counseling, and educational resources. Overlapping youth-segment focus (the Center's VOICES group serves ages 14–18) but operates nationally rather than as a community center.
• SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders): National LGBTQ+ elder advocacy and services organization. The Reading Center partners with SAGEYOU for senior programming; SAGE itself is a relevant peer/ecosystem partner for the elder-segment services the Center provides.

Broad incumbents

• Los Angeles LGBT Center: One of the largest LGBTQ+ organizations globally, offering mental health, youth services, senior programming, training, and community education. Comparable mission and service breadth at much larger scale.
• The LGBT Community Center (NYC): NYC-based LGBTQ+ community center (the largest in the world) offering the same integrated suite of counseling, support groups, youth/senior programming, and training. Operates as a broad incumbent at significantly larger scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/theLGBTcenterofgreaterreading
• Instagraminstagram.com/thelgbtcenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lgbt-center-of-greater-reading

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The LGBT Center of Greater Reading