LGBTQ Community Centers Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic

CenterLink, May 29,2020

Fort Lauderdale, FL - May 28, 2020 - Recognizing the significant challenges LGBTQ community centers are facing due to COVID-19 pandemic, CenterLink conducted a short survey of their member centers to take the financial pulse of our communities.

Among the results of the survey:

• Centers noted current or expected increase in types of needs of clients or communities, demand for services or support from clients/communities, demand for existing/new programs, disruption of services to clients or communities, unplanned staff and volunteer absences, disruption of supplies or services from partners and increased operational costs.
• Centers are pivoting to address these challenges head-on, with 45% changing operations to more directly support those impacted by COVID-19.Over half of centers are experiencing cancellation of fundraising, reduced fee-for service, and reduced individual contributions, and more than 60% indicate losses of up to $150,000 through December 2020.
• Without additional intervention, nearly 1/3 of centers indicate they would have to shut down operations within two (2) months at the current clip.

"LGBTQ centers truly are the heart and soul of their communities," said CenterLink CEO Denise Spivak. "When COVID-19 hit, our member centers quickly pivoted to adapt, overcome, and meet the needs of the more than 43,500 people they serve every week! But they are struggling to find a way to make up for major fundraising events that they have postponed or canceled."

The over 250 LGBTQ community centers across the United States are working to overcome the enormous financial challenge they face, and find alternative fundraising channels in order to continue serving and supporting their communities.  

Even before the onset of COVID 19, the majority of LGBTQ centers faced very basic challenges that included a lack of resources and paid staff. As noted in the 2018 LGBT Community Center Survey Report, "Given that many of these centers work in communities with few other LGBT organizations, investing in these centers is a targeted and focused way to increase the infrastructure of the LGBT movement and the support for LGBT people living across the country." Now, that need for investment is even greater.

Given the critical role of LGBT community centers - a role that has been amplified since the pandemic - CenterLink recommends that the LGBT movement, donors, and funders provide emergency funding to sustain their operations and keep their (virtual and physical) doors open.

LGBTQ Community Center Financial Impact Survey Report

LGBTQ Community Center Financial Impact Survey Report - Infographic