the lgbtq center

What the lgbtq center does

The LGBTQ Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization headquartered at 251 East Sample Street, South Bend, Indiana, and is the only dedicated LGBTQ+ center in Northern Indiana serving the broader Michiana region (including Elkhart and Mishawaka). Founded in August 2004 as "Another Bookstore," the organization rebranded as The GLBT Resource Center of Michiana in 2005 upon receiving 501(c)(3) status, and adopted its current name in April 2016 with a ribbon-cutting led by Mayor Pete Buttigieg. The Center is volunteer-run and operates without disclosed paid headcount, delivering free programming that includes social and support groups (Men's Group, Women's Group, Michiana Transgender Alliance, Young Adult Group, Outdoors Club), a weekly Youth Drop-In program for ages 12-18, free counseling via partnership with Seasons Counseling of Michiana, a lending library, the Rainbow Locker gender-affirming clothing initiative, and recurring community events including Pride celebrations, drag shows, and a Pride Run Club.

Name

the lgbtq center

Legal name

The LGBTQ Center

Website

https://thelgbtqcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The LGBTQ Center is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit in South Bend, Indiana and Northern Indiana's only dedicated LGBTQ+ community center, offering free support groups, youth programming, counseling referrals, a lending library, and community events to LGBTQ+ individuals across the Michiana region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Services

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL), Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB), Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB)

Keywords

• LGBTQ+ community services
• Nonprofit community center
• Social support groups
• Youth drop-in programming
• Mental health counseling

Headquarters

HQ city

South Bend

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The LGBTQ Center relies primarily on donations from individuals and organizations. The organization states 'The LGBTQ Center exists because of the generosity of others.' Donations are tax-deductible, with Federal ID Number 20-3906347.
2. Event Fees: Some events charge nominal fees, such as the $5 entry fee for Adult DnD Group sessions, with proceeds going to center donations. The 20th Anniversary Community Fundraiser charged $25 per ticket for food included, with drinks available for purchase.
3. Online Store (Pride Merchandise): The Center operates an online store selling Pride merchandise through a partnership with LogoGals. A portion of each sale comes back to the Center and the Michiana LGBTQ+ community.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The LGBTQ Center is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit community center in South Bend, Indiana that delivers free programs for the LGBTQ+ community across Northern Indiana. Its offerings include facilitated social and support groups, a weekly Youth Drop-In for ages 12-18, free counseling through Seasons Counseling of Michiana, a lending library of LGBTQ+ books/media, the Rainbow Locker gender-affirming clothing closet, an Outdoors Club, and community events including Pride celebrations and drag shows.

Product overview

The LGBTQ Center is a nonprofit community organization offering a portfolio of programs and services rather than a unified software product. Its core offerings include social and support groups (Men's Group, Women's Group, Michiana Transgender Alliance, Young Adult Group, Outdoors Club), the Youth Drop-In Program for ages 12-18, community events (Pride celebrations, drag shows, discussions), counseling services (partnered with Seasons Counseling of Michiana), a Lending Library of LGBTQ+ books and media, The Rainbow Locker (gender-affirming clothing and hygiene products), and the Outdoors Club with activities like Pride Run Club. The organization also accepts donations as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and operates an online store for Pride merchandise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Social and Support Groups Facilitator-led social and discussion-based groups providing safe space and community connection, including Men's Group, Women's Group, Michiana Transgender Alliance, Young Adult Group (18-25), and Outdoors Club for LGBTQ+ adults aged 18+.
• Youth Drop-In Program Weekly program for LGBTQ+ youth ages 12-18 providing a safe environment with peer friendships, dinner/snacks, and activities including pet therapy dogs, facilitated discussions on healthy relationships and bully prevention, games, and art. Held primarily Fridays at the South Bend center with periodic events at Elkhart (E3 Robotics Center) and Mishawaka (Youth Services Bureau).
• Community Events Monthly events including Pride celebrations, All Ages Drag Shows, community discussions, Pride in the Park, and other engagement opportunities for the broader LGBTQ+ community and allies.
• Counseling Services Free counseling services for relationship problems, family issues, anxiety, stress, grief, trauma, depression, and other life concerns. Sessions available in-person or via telehealth, delivered through partnership with Seasons Counseling of Michiana (574-277-0274).
• Lending Library Expansive free lending library of LGBTQ+ related books and media accessible to the public through an online catalog.
• The Rainbow Locker Free gender-affirming clothing, shoes, jewelry, and hygiene/menstrual products for individuals who may otherwise be unable to access these items, with clothing available for all genders.
• Outdoors Club Outdoor-based activities including hiking, biking, ice skating, canoeing, dog park meetups, and the Pride Run Club (a running/walking group held every Monday evening).
• Online Store Online store selling Pride merchandise through a partnership with LogoGals (a queer woman-owned business). A portion of each sale supports the Center and the Michiana LGBTQ+ community.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves as Northern Indiana's only dedicated LGBTQ+ center with comprehensive programming for all ages

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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 notable, core and minor.

• Ironhand WinerynotableGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2025Hosted and sponsored the 20th Anniversary Community Fundraiser event. Provided venue and cash bar with beer, wine, and soft drinks. Event proceeds support the Center's mission.
• CenterLinkcoreOthersThe LGBTQ Center is a proud member of CenterLink, a national network of LGBTQ+ community centers. CenterLink provides resources, best practices, and connects community centers across the country.
• Seasons Counseling of MichianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn partnership with Seasons Counseling of Michiana, The LGBTQ Center offers free counseling services. Sessions can be in-person or telehealth. Referrals handled through Seasons Counseling at 574-277-0274.
• LogoGalsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline store partner selling Pride merchandise. A portion of each sale comes back to the Center and the Michiana LGBTQ+ community. The store is described as supporting 'a queer woman owned business.'
• Michiana Social Justice Coalition (MSJC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe LGBTQ Center is a proud member of MSJC, a partnership of organizations in Michiana working cooperatively to move forward socially minded missions for positive community change.
• PFLAG Crown PointnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerPFLAG supports family, friends, allies and members of the LGBTQ community. Vision: a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed.
• LGBTQ Northwest IndiananotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary mission to provide support, education and resources to the LGBTQ+ community in Northwest Indiana area.
• The Partnership for Education and Prevention of Substance Abuse (PEPSA)notableStrategic or Co-development PartnerA coalition working to reduce harms associated with drug and alcohol abuse in St. Joseph County, Indiana.
• ACLU of IndiananotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe LGBTQ Rights Project captures ACLU of Indiana's work as the only statewide organization defending and advancing LGBTQ rights in Indiana.
• E3 Robotics Center (Elkhart)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth Drop-In programming held periodically at E3 Robotics Center in Elkhart for field trips and special events.
• Youth Services Bureau (Mishawaka)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSome Youth Drop-In events held at Youth Services Bureau in Mishawaka location.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• CenterLink: National network of LGBTQ+ community centers of which The LGBTQ Center is a member. Directly comparable as the umbrella organization for over 200 affiliated LGBTQ+ centers across the U.S., providing resources, best practices, and peer connections to community centers with similar missions.
• Seasons Counseling of Michiana: Direct partner organization providing free counseling services to The LGBTQ Center's constituents. Highly relevant peer as the on-the-ground counseling delivery arm through the Center's referral and partnership model.

Direct peers

• The Center (NYC): One of the largest and oldest LGBTQ+ community centers in the U.S. Operates a similar model of social/support groups, youth programs, counseling referrals, lending library, and community events serving the LGBTQ+ community in its region.
• Indiana Youth Group: Indiana-based LGBTQ+ youth-serving organization offering youth groups, drop-in programming, and support services. Highly comparable to The LGBTQ Center's Youth Drop-In program (ages 12-18) and overall community-center mission within Indiana.
• San Francisco LGBTQ Community Center: Another major LGBTQ+ community center offering groups, youth programs, counseling, community events, and resource referrals. Operates a similar multi-program community-center model but at significantly larger scale than The LGBTQ Center.

Broad incumbents

• PFLAG National: National organization supporting LGBTQ+ people, families, and allies through local chapters. The LGBTQ Center partners with PFLAG Crown Point and shares a similar advocacy and community-support mission focused on family acceptance and ally engagement.
• ACLU of Indiana – LGBTQ Rights Project: Statewide LGBTQ+ rights advocacy organization partnered with The LGBTQ Center. Operates on a broader advocacy/legal-defense mandate versus the Center's community-services focus, but serves overlapping LGBTQ+ populations in Indiana.
• Los Angeles LGBT Center: One of the largest LGBTQ+ community centers globally, providing social services, youth programs, healthcare, housing, and advocacy. Comparable mission and broad programming mix, though at a far larger scale and resource base than The LGBTQ Center.

Regional players

• LGBTQ Northwest Indiana: Partner organization providing support, education, and resources to the LGBTQ+ community in Northwest Indiana. Comparable mission and programming to The LGBTQ Center but serving a distinct geographic area within the broader Indiana/Michiana region.
• Center on Halsted (Chicago): Chicago-based LGBTQ+ community center offering similar programming — youth drop-in, support groups, counseling, community events, lending library. Comparable Midwest community-center model serving a different (larger) urban geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheLGBTQCenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-lgbtq-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about the lgbtq center