LGBT Asylum Task Force

What LGBT Asylum Task Force does

The LGBT Asylum Task Force is a nonprofit church ministry formed in 2008 and operated under Hadwen Park Congregational Church, UCC, headquartered in Worcester, Massachusetts. The organization provides comprehensive support to LGBTQ asylum seekers who are legally prohibited from working for 180 days or more after arriving in the United States, a population that faces heightened risk of homelessness, food insecurity, and isolation. Its core service offering is a shared housing program in Worcester combined with monthly stipends, pro bono legal referrals, medical and mental health provider connections, and monthly community dinners and workshops. The Task Force also serves individual donors, corporate sponsors, and organizational partners through a tiered annual gala fundraiser (reaching its 10th edition in October 2026), recurring and one-time tax-deductible donations, a branded on-demand merchandise e-commerce store, and volunteer recruitment via social media, email, and grassroots speaking engagements. The organization maintains a self-reported 100% asylum grant rate, 100% stable housing rate, and 100% post-permit employment rate across those served, and operates an established referral network in Jamaica and Uganda as primary intake geographies.

The underlying technology stack is minimal and non-proprietary, consisting of a Squarespace-hosted website, a Givebutter-based gala ticketing and donation platform, and standard e-commerce tooling for merchandise sales; no API, SDK, mobile application, or AI/ML capability is referenced in the operating model. Business model revenue mechanics are diversified across four streams: recurring and one-time individual donations (primary), gala sponsorships and ticket sales at tiers ranging from $2,500 to $20,000, merchandise unit sales from $12 to $55.50, and in-kind volunteer services covering transportation, hosting, pro bono legal, and catering. The customer base is split between LGBTQ asylum seekers as service beneficiaries (concentrated historically from Jamaica, Uganda, and Honduras) and individual donors plus corporate/organizational partners as funding counterparties, with go-to-market executed through community-led grassroots outreach and an event-driven gala cycle.

Name

LGBT Asylum Task Force

Legal name

LGBT Asylum Task Force

Website

https://lgbtasylum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

LGBT Asylum Task Force is a Worcester, Massachusetts-based church ministry, formed in 2008 under Hadwen Park Congregational Church UCC, providing shared housing, stipends, legal referrals, and community support to LGBTQ asylum seekers during the US work-prohibition period.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social services / LGBTQ asylum and refugee support

NAICS

Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Community Housing Services (62422), Individual and Family Services (6241), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAEAI

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

SECONDARYBPAGAEAB

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

SECONDARYBPAGAFAE

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Civil Rights, Advocacy & Public Policy Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGACAD

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Health & Medical Nonprofits

Keywords

• Asylum support services
• LGBTQ refugee housing
• Faith-based social services
• Nonprofit immigration support
• Community resettlement programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Worcester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Recurring and one-time donations from individual supporters. The organization encourages recurring monthly pledges to help forecast income and capacity. Donations are tax-deductible.
2. Gala Sponsorships and Ticket Sales: Annual gala fundraiser featuring sponsorship tiers from $2,500 to $20,000, table purchases (8 tickets each), and individual event tickets. 10th annual event scheduled for October 10, 2026.
3. Merchandise Sales: E-commerce store selling branded merchandise including mugs ($12-$13.50), totes ($27), tank tops ($22.50), socks ($15), beanies ($24), and backpacks ($55.50). Products are made on demand to reduce overproduction.
4. Volunteer Services: Volunteers provide in-kind support including transportation, housing hosting, professional services (legal assistance, career mentorship), and community dinner catering.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The LGBT Asylum Task Force provides shared housing, monthly stipends, pro bono legal referrals, healthcare connections, and community programming for LGBTQ asylum seekers in Worcester, Massachusetts. It also raises funds through an annual gala, individual donations, and merchandise sales to sustain its two-year comprehensive support model.

Product overview

The LGBT Asylum Task Force is a non-profit church ministry (formed in 2008) providing comprehensive support services for LGBTQ asylum seekers. The organization offers a coordinated service portfolio centered on shared housing in Worcester, Massachusetts, combined with pro bono legal referrals, healthcare connections, monthly community dinners, and financial stipends. The organization also operates a merchandise store selling branded items (tote bags, mugs, apparel, accessories) to raise funds, and hosts an annual gala fundraiser. Asylum seekers access services through an intake application process.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Shared Housing Program Shared housing for LGBTQ asylum seekers in Worcester, Massachusetts, providing shelter until work permits (EAD) are received.
• Monthly Stipend Program Small monthly stipend to cover food, transportation, and basic expenses for asylum seekers when funds are available.
• Legal Referral Service Connection to pro bono immigration lawyers to assist with the asylum application process.
• Healthcare Connection Service Connections to doctors and therapists at local health centers for medical and mental health support.
• Monthly Community Dinners Community gatherings and workshops to ease asylum seekers' transitions to life in the US.
• Annual Gala Fundraiser Annual fundraising gala event celebrating and uplifting LGBTQ asylum seekers, featuring sponsorship tiers, ticket sales, and program advertising.
• Large Organic Tote Bag
• White Glossy Mug Ceramic mug available in 11oz and 15oz sizes, dishwasher and microwave safe. Priced from $12.00.
• Black Glossy Mug Ceramic mug with glossy finish, available in 11oz and 15oz sizes. Priced from $13.50.
• Unisex Tank Top 100% combed and ringspun cotton tank top, available in sizes XS to 2XL in multiple colors. Priced from $22.50.
• Socks 60% nylon, 22% cotton, 18% spandex crew-length socks with cushioned bottom and ribbed leg. Priced at $15.00.
• Pom-Pom Beanie 100% speckled acrylic beanie with solid cuff, 12" length with pom-pom on top. Priced at $24.00.
• Embroidered Champion Backpack Water-resistant Champion backpack with embroidered logo, 18" x 11.5" x 6.25", laptop sleeve, multiple pockets. Priced at $55.50.
• Intake Application Online intake form for asylum seekers seeking access to housing and services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% asylum grant rate maintained
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hadwen Park Congregational Church, UCCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization and ministry host. The LGBT Asylum Task Force is a church ministry of Hadwen Park Congregational Church, UCC. Provides institutional support, spiritual community, and serves as the 'only family' for many asylum seekers. Located in Worcester, Massachusetts.
• PAIR ProjectcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPro bono immigration legal services referral partner located at 98 N Washington St #106, Boston, MA 02114. Provides free legal representation referrals and trained volunteers to help complete asylum applications.
• Ascentria Care AllianceminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal services provider (not free) at 14 East Worcester St., Suite 300, Worcester, MA 01604. Referenced as a Massachusetts agency that may be able to match asylum seekers with lawyers.
• Community Legal AidcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPro bono legal services referral partner at 405 Main Street, 4th Floor, Worcester, MA 01608. Provides free legal representation referrals for asylum seekers in Massachusetts.
• De Novo Center for Justice and HealingcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal services referral partner at 47 Thorndike Street, SB-LL-1, Cambridge, MA 02141. Provides free legal services to asylum seekers.
• Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinic ProgramcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPro bono immigration legal services at 6 Everett Street, Cambridge, MA 02138. Provides free legal representation and maintains a resource list for asylum seekers.
• Lawyers for Civil RightscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal services referral partner at 61 Batterymarch Street, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02110. Provides free legal services to immigrants and asylum seekers.
• Rainbow RailroadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational LGBTQ+ relocation support organization. Listed as a resource for asylum seekers before arriving in the US, providing safe migration assistance.
• InReachminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing and resource referral platform for LGBTQ+ individuals. Listed as a resource before and after arriving in the US for housing and support services.
• Casa ArcoirisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLGBTQ housing and legal help organization in Mexico. Listed as a resource for asylum seekers before arriving in the US, providing temporary housing and support during transit.
• Espacio MigranteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerESL and advocacy organization in Mexico. Listed as a resource for asylum seekers before arriving in the US, providing language support and advocacy services.
• Asylum Pride HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLGBTQ housing organization in Philadelphia, PA. Listed as a resource for asylum seekers after arriving in the US when Task Force housing is at capacity.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• InReach: Tech-enabled resource platform connecting LGBTQ+ people, including asylum seekers, with safe and verified services including housing. Listed as a referral partner; comparable beneficiary base and service-navigation function.
• Rainbow Railroad: International LGBTQ+ relocation organization that helps at-risk LGBTQ individuals escape persecution and resettle in safer countries. Listed as a direct resource partner by the LGBT Asylum Task Force; serves the same beneficiary population with overlapping housing and safe-migration services.
• Immigration Equality: U.S.-based nonprofit providing direct legal services and advocacy for LGBTQ and HIV-positive asylum seekers. Operates in the same intersection of LGBTQ identity and asylum legal representation, making it a close functional peer.
• Asylum Pride House: LGBTQ-specific housing provider in Philadelphia that the Task Force lists as a referral partner when its own housing is at capacity. Offers directly comparable shared housing and support services for LGBTQ asylum seekers.
• ORAM (Organization for Refugee, Asylum and Migration): International organization focused on LGBTQ refugee protection and resettlement. Comparable mission of serving LGBTQ refugees through advocacy, capacity-building, and resettlement support.

Broad incumbents

• HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society): One of the oldest refugee resettlement agencies in the U.S. with explicit LGBTQ refugee programming. A broad incumbent that overlaps with the Task Force on refugee resettlement but operates at national scale and across multiple faiths and identities.
• National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR): National LGBTQ legal advocacy organization with asylum and immigration projects. Operates at broader policy and litigation scale but addresses overlapping beneficiary needs around LGBTQ asylum legal support.

Regional players

• Casa Arcoiris: LGBTQ housing and legal aid organization based in Mexico, listed as a referral partner for asylum seekers in transit. Serves the same beneficiary population at a different stage of the migration journey and in a different geography.
• Jewish Family & Children's Service of Worcester: Faith-affiliated social services organization serving the Worcester area with refugee resettlement, housing support, and case management. Comparable faith-rooted, multi-service social assistance model in the same geographic market.

Emerging players

• Heartland Alliance - Rainbow Welcome Initiative: U.S.-based program supporting LGBTQ refugee resettlement through case management and cultural orientation. Operates in the same beneficiary niche with a more programmatic, multi-city structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/lgbtasylumtf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lgbtasylumtf
• Instagraminstagram.com/lgbtasylumtf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 LGBT Asylum Task Force