Milwaukee LGBT Community Center

What Milwaukee LGBT Community Center does

The Milwaukee LGBT Community Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1997 (incorporated as Milwaukee Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center Inc.) and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with two physical locations at 161 S 1st Street and 315 West Court Street. It operates as the only dedicated LGBTQ+ community center in the greater Milwaukee area, delivering a comprehensive portfolio of direct services: a free food pantry, a gender-affirming clothing boutique, free licensed counseling (including trauma, substance use, and gender-affirming surgery letters), peer support groups, youth programming (Project Q, ages 13-25), older adult services, a TGNC program with name-change coordination, disability services, a lending library of nearly 3,000 LGBT titles, and a public-access CyberCenter funded by the David Bohnett Foundation.

The Center has no proprietary technology platform and runs on commodity tools: EveryAction for donation and form processing, LibraryThing for library catalog search, and standard Squarespace-based web presence. Recurring activities include the TGIF monthly happy hour hosted at rotating local venues, recreational programming (Bi+ Book Club, Yoga, Game Night, RPG Night, Queer Crafternoon), and periodic American Red Cross blood drives.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit funding stack rather than a commercial revenue model. Earned revenue streams include a five-tier small business membership ($600-$12,000/year), a multi-tier corporate sponsorship program ($12,000-$75,000+ annually with multi-year options), fee-based LGBTQ+ Inclusivity Training workshops for external organizations, and facility rentals of a Community Room and Board Room. Core community services are free with no income verification. The Center is an affiliate agency of the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, holds a Gold-level GuideStar/Candid Transparency Seal, and meets Wisconsin Standards for Charity Accountability. It is governed by a Board of Directors led by Board President DeShanda Clark and managed by Executive Director Ritchie T. Martin Jr., with a staff of approximately 5-50 employees and a 25+ partner organization referral network including Feeding America, Vivent Health, Diverse & Resilient, FORGE, Sojourner Family Peace Center, Courage MKE, PFLAG, and the ACLU of Wisconsin.

Name

Milwaukee LGBT Community Center

Legal name

Milwaukee Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center Inc.

Website

https://mkelgbt.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Milwaukee LGBT Community Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 serving as Milwaukee's only dedicated LGBTQ+ community hub, providing free food pantry, gender-affirming clothing, mental health counseling, youth and elder programming, support groups, and a lending library to LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in the greater Milwaukee area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

LGBTQ+ Community Services

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Community Food Services (62421)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL), Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB), Gender Equality & Women’s Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAD)

Keywords

• LGBTQ community services
• Basic needs assistance
• Mental health counseling
• Support groups
• Nonprofit community center

Headquarters

HQ city

Milwaukee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: General donations from individuals supporting the mission. The organization emphasizes that financial contributions are the most flexible and impactful way to support their work.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Multi-tiered corporate sponsorship program ranging from $12,000 to $75,000+ annually, with various recognition benefits including plaques, event sponsorship, and advertising.
3. Small Business Memberships: Membership tiers from $600 to $12,000 per year with benefits including training, event tickets, and advertising in the annual Business and Sponsorship Advertising Booklet.
4. End of Life & Memorial Giving: Planned giving options including bequests, trust arrangements, and memorial donations.
5. Training Services: LGBTQ+ Inclusivity Training workshops offered to businesses and organizations, including 101 training, intersectionality, and workplace inclusivity modules.
6. Facility Rental: Meeting space rental for community room (up to 75 people) and board room (up to 10 people). Discounts available for nonprofits and center partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Milwaukee LGBT Community Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 that delivers direct social services to LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in the greater Milwaukee area. Core offerings include a free food pantry, gender-affirming clothing boutique, mental health counseling, peer support groups, youth programming (Project Q), older adult services, transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) programs, disability programs, a lending library, a public computer lab, reservable meeting spaces, and LGBTQ+ inclusivity training for organizations.

Product overview

The Milwaukee LGBT Community Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1997 that operates as a multi-service community center rather than a software technology product. Its offerings span community gathering spaces, mental health counseling, basic-needs assistance (food pantry, gender-affirming clothing boutique, hygiene items), peer support groups, youth programming (Project Q), older adult services, disability services, a lending library, a computer lab (David Bohnett CyberCenter), reservable meeting spaces, LGBTQ+ inclusivity training, and volunteer and sponsorship programs. These are social-service and community-building programs, not software or technology products. The Center also operates membership and sponsorship tiers for small businesses and corporations as a fundraising mechanism.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Counseling Services Free mental health counseling provided by licensed professionals for individuals, couples, and families experiencing trauma, gender dysphoria, sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, or substance use issues. Accepts Wisconsin Medicaid and reserves slots for uninsured clients.
• Food Pantry A free food pantry open to LGBTQ+ individuals and allies, offering non-perishable goods, fresh produce, dairy, and frozen meats. No proof of income required; limited to once per week per individual or family.
• Gender Affirming Boutique A free clothing boutique offering gender-affirming apparel, professional attire, and everyday wear for individuals of all gender identities and expressions, with a wide range of sizes and styles. Limited to once per week.
• Support Groups Multiple peer-support groups including Asexual/Aromantic Support Group, Disability Support Group, Gemini Gender Support Group, Later Life Lesbians, Parents of TGNC Littles, PFLAG, Poly Discussion Group, Sexual Compulsive Anonymous, Trans & Gender Nonconforming Support Group, and Wellness Mondays.
• Transgender & Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC) Program Program providing TGNC support groups, a Parents of TGNC Littles group, Gemini Gender Support Group, name change process assistance with pro-bono legal referrals, medical provider connections, gender-affirming surgery letter support, and grants and scholarships for gender-affirming surgeries.
• Older Adult Program Program for LGBTQ+ older adults offering monthly social groups, weekly drop-ins, FAB Discussion Group, Mount Carmel Lutheran Church monthly dinners, Milwaukee County Senior Dining meals, and informational sessions on aging-related topics.
• Project Q Youth Program Youth program (ages 13+) providing drop-in sessions, development activities, life-skill coaching, workforce development, leadership activities, arts-based expression, and risk-reduction education. Includes the PQ Clubhouse for young adults ages 18-25 with Social Saturdays and Wellness Mondays.
• Disability Program Program assisting LGBTQ+ individuals with disabilities through a peer-led support group, game nights, and Cafe Q coffee house meet-ups. Provides referrals to community resources.
• David Bohnett CyberCenter A computer lab with internet access funded by the David Bohnett Foundation, providing public access to computers for email, resume creation, online research, and typing practice. Operates with a half-hour usage limit when there is a wait.
• Jack H. Smith Lending Library One of Wisconsin's largest LGBTQ+ lending libraries with nearly 3,000 books spanning fiction, non-fiction, mysteries, young adult, biography, and more. The collection is searchable online via LibraryThing. Checkout is limited to 5 books for 3 weeks.
• Reservable Spaces Two reservable rooms — a Community Room (capacity 75) and a Board Room (capacity 10) — available for meetings, private parties, and events at affordable rates. Discounts available for non-profit organizations and Center partners.
• LGBTQ+ Inclusivity Training Interactive training workshops covering LGBTQ+ Inclusivity 101 (terminology, acronym, pronouns, allyship), Intersectionality, Gender, and Inclusivity practices. Available for any audience size; fee-based and one of the Center's revenue sources.
• Small Business Membership A tiered membership program (Bronze through Palladium) for LGBTQ+-owned and friendly small businesses, ranging from $600 to $12,000 per year. Includes website listing, social media spotlight, VIP event tickets, advertising booklet space, and LGBTQ+ Inclusivity 101 training for staff.
• Corporate Sponsorship Multi-tiered corporate sponsorship program starting at $12,000 per year for LGBTQ+-owned and friendly companies. Includes Palladium Business Membership plus options ranging from Friend ($12,000) to Multi-Year Sponsorships ($50,000+) with naming rights and plaque recognition.
• Blood Drive Periodic blood drives hosted at the Center in partnership with the American Red Cross, with an inclusive donor screening process that follows updated FDA guidelines eliminating questions based on sexual orientation.

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Feeding AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood pantry partnership providing fresh produce, frozen meats, dairy products, and shelf-stable goods. Critical partnership enabling the center's food pantry operations.
• United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe center is an affiliate agency of United Way, meeting all Standards for Charity Accountability. United Way provides financial support and community connections.
• CenterLinkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1994 as a member-based coalition to support LGBTQ community centers. CenterLink works to strengthen, support, and connect LGBTQ community centers across the country.
• Vivent HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWisconsin's largest HIV healthcare system providing integrated medical, dental, mental health clinics, pharmacy, and social services. Serves over 3,300 HIV patients annually.
• Diverse & ResilientmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization working to eliminate health disparities between LGBT people and the general population in Wisconsin through community building and advocacy.
• FORGEmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational transgender education and advocacy organization providing direct support and information for transgender individuals, professionals, and SOFFAs in Milwaukee.
• Sojourner Family Peace CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLargest nonprofit provider of domestic violence prevention and intervention services in Wisconsin, serving over 9,500 clients each year.
• Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal community college offering 170+ degree, diploma, and certificate programs. Partnership supports educational opportunities for community members.
• PathfindersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmpowers youth in crisis to make positive life choices through housing, shelter, education, family engagement, and youth empowerment programs.
• Courage MKEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpened Wisconsin's first home for displaced LGBTQ+ youth in 2019. Operates Courage House, a licensed group home on Milwaukee's south side.
• PFLAG-MilwaukeeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal chapter of national network providing support for parents, families, and friends of LGBTQ+ loved ones. Main office housed at the center.
• PrideFestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Pride festival held in June at Henry Maier Festival Park. Primary office is located at the Center.
• ACLU of WisconsinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuardian of constitutional liberties working in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend individual rights and liberties.
• Milwaukee Metropolitan Community ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOldest existing LGBTQI+ organization in Milwaukee, established in 1971. Welcoming, inclusive faith community.
• United Community CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerServes more than 15,000 people annually on Milwaukee's south side through educational services, senior support, and homebuyer counseling.
• End Domestic Abuse WisconsinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide coalition working to end domestic violence through survivor-centered initiatives and support for direct service agencies.
• IndependenceFirstminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetro Milwaukee's first resource for disability access information, offering over 20 programs and services for people with disabilities.
• All of Us Research ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational research program collecting health data from one million+ people to advance precision medicine and health research.
• American Red CrossminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeriodic blood drives held at the center. Partnership supports community health while engaging LGBTQ+ donors under updated FDA guidelines.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• FORGE: National transgender education and advocacy organization providing direct support in Milwaukee. Overlaps with the TGNC program and gender-affirming surgery letter services offered by the Center.
• CenterLink: National coalition of 250+ LGBTQ+ community centers; a partner of Milwaukee LGBT Community Center. Functions as a peer-superstructure supporting local centers rather than a direct competitor, but is a key comparable ecosystem player.

Direct peers

• The Center (NYC): Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in New York City, founded in 1983. Provides youth, family, and older adult programming, mental health services, recovery and wellness, arts, and community advocacy — directly comparable to Milwaukee's service portfolio.
• San Francisco LGBT Center: San Francisco-based LGBTQ+ community center providing youth, senior, TGNC, mental health, and community programming alongside arts and culture events. Direct comparable in mission and service mix.
• Brave Space Alliance: Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ center on Chicago's South Side providing food pantry, clothing, case management, and community programming. Highly comparable in scale and service mix to Milwaukee's center.
• Los Angeles LGBT Center: One of the largest LGBTQ+ centers in the world, offering youth services, seniors, TGNC programs, mental health, legal services, and housing. Same multiservice community center model with broader scale.
• Center on Halsted: Chicago-based LGBTQ+ community center offering a virtually identical service mix: youth programs, older adult services, TGNC and mental health counseling, food pantry, behavioral health, HIV services, and community gathering space. Closest functional peer to Milwaukee LGBT Community Center in terms of programming and operating model.
• William Way LGBT Community Center: Philadelphia's LGBTQ+ community center offering programming, support groups, a lending library, arts, and education. Closest mid-size analog to Milwaukee's library-and-programming model.

Regional players

• Equality Wisconsin: Wisconsin's statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. Comparable in geography and mission but focuses on policy and political advocacy rather than direct social services.
• Diverse & Resilient: Wisconsin-based organization working to eliminate health disparities among LGBTQ+ people. Documented partner of Milwaukee LGBT Community Center; comparable in regional scope and health-equity focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MilwaukeeLGBTCommunityCenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mkelgbt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Milwaukee LGBT Community Center