Are LGBTQ Organizations around you folding?

[sonrisa]

Three different organizations around the bay area that support trans people in general or trans kids/families specifically have folded or ceased services since last summer and a fourth is on the verge of collapse. These aren't new. Places that have been around since 1982 and 1996. Something has happened and it feels like someone is coming after their funding because grants they have gotten for years have dried up.

Anyone else seeing a similar pattern?

[bee20]

Haven't noticed the funding issue but I can ask a friend who works for one. We did have a series of break-ins that targeted the local LGBTQ choir, they lost over $10k in equipment but it sounds like you are talking about larger organizations and larger amounts.

[CrazyLucky]

I haven't noticed it. There was an opening of a LGBTQ+ center in Upper Darby, PA last week that I'm excited about.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Not that I've heard of or noticed.

[4speedy]

We’d have to have one in the first place in order to notice if it had closed. So…

[sonrisa]

I'm glad it isn't a pattern others are seeing. These organizations aren't necessarily big, just long standing.

[jeaniebueller]

I wonder if its a volunteer issue--in other kinds of groups, we have real issues attracting board members and people who want to volunteer.

[nsl]

The Utah Pride Center almost completely collapsed late last year after spending all of their money and then some on last year's Pride. Leadership blamed increased security costs due to all of the anti-LGBTQ legislation and rhetoric going around, but thanks to local journalists digging into the story it's become clear that a lot of mismanagement in general had been happening for quite some time. The center somehow managed to stay open and now has new leadership, but they've been very quiet about programming and next steps since the holidays.

[wanderingback]

Not that I’ve noticed or heard of in my area. I’m also a part of a list serv of medical professionals who do gender affirming care (physicians, nurses, social workers, psychologists, etc) and there’s often posts about advocacy issues and I haven’t seen this raised as a prominent issue, thankfully.

[katfco]

I haven't noticed that, but our church felt the need to hire security because we were targeted by anti-gay fundies. Other groups have expanded their services.

[sillygoosegirl]

I wonder if donors are moving their donations to red states where it feels like the need is more urgent?

[basilosaurus]

Feb 18, 2024 11:16:01 GMT -5 sillygoosegirl said:

I wonder if donors are moving their donations to red states where it feels like the need is more urgent?

the org was involved with in lbc doesn't seem to be having problems. That may be due to local support. Sidewalks were rainbow and not just during pride month.

[formerlyak]

Are other nonprofits in your area also closing? Donations are down across the nonprofit sector. Many orgs are having trouble right now. I run a local education nonprofit and during the pandemic, people gave but many of our programs were paused. The board voted to invest the overage that was a result. Those investments are filling the gap right now. We are also lucky that we’ve only seen a 5% drop in giving this year. Most nonprofits are seeing 10-15% drops.

[carmenere]

Feb 19, 2024 8:54:13 GMT -5 formerlyak said:

Are other nonprofits in your area also closing? Donations are down across the nonprofit sector. Many orgs are having trouble right now. I run a local education nonprofit and during the pandemic, people gave but many of our programs were paused. The board voted to invest the overage that was a result. Those investments are filling the gap right now. We are also lucky that we’ve only seen a 5% drop in giving this year. Most nonprofits are seeing 10-15% drops.

Yes, recent tax changes (specifically increased standard deduction and the expiration of pandemic era non-itemized charitable deductions) have reduced the incentives for middle and lower income people to donate, and it is hitting nonprofits that rely on grassroots support really hard. That coupled with the cost of living in the Bay Area could certainly explain it.