Mission
The Sacramento LGBT Community Center works to create a region where LGBTQ+ people thrive. We support the health and wellness of the most marginalized, advocate for equality and justice, and work to build a culturally rich LGBTQ+ community.
Ruling year
1978
Chief Executive Officer
David Heitstuman
Main address
1015 20th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811 USA
Formerly known as
Lambda Community Fund
Lambda Community Center
Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center
EIN
94-2502229
NTEE code
Services to Promote the Independence of Specific Populations (P80)
Nonmonetary Support N.E.C. (O19)
Lesbian/Gay Rights (R26)
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
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Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Each month, the Center welcomes more than 500 unique visitors (more than 20,000 visits each year) from youth and adults who represent the full diversity of the LGBTQ+ community; people of all races, religions, genders, sexual orientations and ages—from the new-born child of an LGBTQ+ parent to seniors in their golden years. All our services, which are available to everyone, are free or low-cost. We help folks who have experienced some of the following staggering statistics: 75 percent of LGBTQ+ people report emotional difficulties directly related to sexual orientation and/or gender identity Up to 40 percent of the youth homeless population identify as LGBTQ+ 26 percent of LGBTQ+ students report missing a class in the last month while 30 percent report missing an entire day because they felt unsafe A 26 percent increase in new HIV infections since 2012 among young gay men age 13-24 who have sex with men Two to three times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual peers; 50 per
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Health & Wellness
As the largest LGBTQ+ organization in the region, uniquely qualified to offer experienced support, the Center’s health and wellness programs help LGBTQ+ people lead healthier, happier lives. The Center provides a vital safety net for the LGBTQ community in all its diversity and a safe, welcoming place where individuals can find help as well as hope, when they need it most. Services focus both on direct assistance and prevention. We offer community resource navigation, mental health, sexual health, youth-centered programs, and housing. All our services are free or low-cost.
Community Resource Navigation
Since the Center’s founding, it has been a trusted source of referrals to service providers that understand and affirm LGBTQ identities and our unique needs. Our Community Resources Program provides one on one assistance in English and Spanish to medical and mental health providers, employment, housing, public benefits, identification documents, homeless services, professional services, and social clubs.
Mental Health
For people dealing with any issue that feels beyond their control, including depression, anxiety, victimization, and relationships issues, we offer mental health respite twice a week, where clients can take a break from the stressors of their life and de-escalate their mental health conditions to prevent a break that could lead to hospitalization or incarceration. They can talk candidly and comfortably with staff and volunteer advocates to learn coping strategies and gain access to additional mental health services through referral.
LGBTQ+ people experience trauma and violence at significantly higher rates than the general population. LGB youth are almost five times as likely to have attempted suicide compared to heterosexual youth. 40 percent of transgender adults reported having made a suicide attempt.
The Center offers crisis intervention and individualized counseling for people who have been victims of crime. We offer more than a dozen facilitated peer support groups for those newly coming out, queer people of color, LGBTQ+ elders, people living with HIV, transgender individuals, and other specialized sub-populations. The Center also hosts multiple 12-step addiction recovery groups each week.
Sexual Health
Since the earliest days of the epidemic, the Center provided confidential assistance and services for those living with HIV/AIDS. One out of eight people who are HIV-positive and living in the U.S. don’t know it. As of 2015, 71% of those newly diagnosed with HIV in Sacramento County are gay or bisexual men. We’re working to lower that percentage by offering free HIV/STD testing at our Midtown office, on-location at a half dozen partner agencies, and in suburban and rural areas thought the region with our Mobile Outreach Unit. Those who test positive are quickly linked to medical care and those whose results are negative are educated on prevention strategies including Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).
Center staff focus on prevent new infections through in-person and digital outreach campaigns targeting young Black and Latinx gay and bisexual men and transgender women at highest risk. We conduct sexual health education workshops for LGBTQ+ youth, distribute free condoms and lube at the center, in the community, and via our Prophylaxis Parcel Project (P3). Staff also educate healthcare providers on how to have culturally affirming conversations about gender specific needs and sexual practices with LGBTQ community members in order to improve patient care.
Q-Spot Youth Programs
The Center offers all LGBTQIA+ youth ages 13-24 the help they need to reach their full potential. Q-Spot youth program offers a brave space 7-days a week to hang out, be around a community of other LGBTQ+ and allied peers, play video games, watch TV, have snacks, do homework, or get help with job applications and financial aid. Youth receive social and emotional support through mental health respite, peer mentorship, and four weekly support groups.
The Q-Spot also offers an LGBTQ library, computer lab, and life-skills workshops and youth-centered advocacy and enrichment events/activities including: Q-Prom, Q-Spot Live at Pride, LGBTQ Movie Nights, Field Trips, Holiday Celebrations, Leadership and Advocacy Conferences.
Youth experiencing homelessness can also access support services including showers, laundry, meals, clothing, survival supplies, case management, legal aide, counseling, community resource referrals, and victim services.
Without a mobile phone, computer, or internet service low-income or homeless youth can experience barriers to education, employment, or staying connected to a support system. In partnership with LGBT Tech and PowerON the Center puts free technology like phones, chargers, laptops, and USB drives in the hands of youth in order to help them succeed and thrive.
Housing Services
On any given day, there are more than 700 youth (ages 24 and younger) living on the streets and along the river in Sacramento; in California, a staggering 40 percent of youth experiencing homelessness are LGBTQ. The majority become homeless as a result of family rejection and nearly all of them will be victimized by violence, drugs, sexual assault and human trafficking in their first weeks on the street.
We launched our housing program in 2018, offering emergency shelter via short-term hotel stays and a 6-bed Transitional Living Program (TLP), where youth ages 18-24 who have been victims of crime can stay up to 24-months while establishing self-sufficiency through stable housing, intensive case management, counseling, transportation, employment services, life skills workshops, and establishment of a support system that they can maintain after exiting the program.
In 2019 we expanded our housing options to offer a 12-bed Short-term Transitional Emergency Program (STEP) where they are provided 90-days of shelter, meals, clothing, transportation, assistance obtaining identification documents, case management, medical and mental health services, and establish a level of safety and stability as youth prepare for the next step in their transition to more permanent housing.
In 2019, we also piloted a Host Home Program to provide bridge housing in the homes of 10 community hosts, where youth will receive stable housing, social/emotional support, and case management. Youth who may couch surfing while going to school, recently kicked out of their family home, or exiting an emergency shelter program at eminent risk of returning to homelessness can stay an average of 6-months in this program while making progress toward their life goals.
Advocacy
The Center is an advocate for equity and social justice within and external to the LGBTQ+ community, acknowledging that our identities as LGBTQ+ people are intersectional and breaking down systems of oppression that harm the most marginalized amongst us, benefits all of us. We work to increase visibility, understanding, and access to services for LGBTQ+ people throughout the Sacramento region.
Individual Advocacy & Legal Assistance
The Center acts as an advocate and convener of support for individual community members who have been the victim of bias or hate related incidents. We offer free legal consultations twice monthly in partnership with Northern California Legal Services and the Family Justice Center, crime victim services, and help navigating media.
Public Policy & Community Organizing
We advocate locally and nationally for policies, funding streams, and cultural change that advance the health and wellness of our diverse community. Center leaders engage in civic leader education, submit letters of support/opposition, and provide expert testimony before legislative bodies. We also engage in rapid response and targeted media and constituent contact campaigns.
Center representatives contribute on more than two dozen regional coalitions, committees, boards, and task forces on issues ranging from homelessness and HIV prevention to environmental justice and youth development. We promote LGBTQ+ representation on appointed boards and committees and engage in leadership development activities and provide technical assistance for young activists and LGBTQ+ organizations in order to empower future movement leaders.
Outreach & Training Institute
We are a subject matter expert on LGBTQ+ competencies and provide educational programs and consultation on a wide variety of sub-topics. We conduct outreach activities and provide training for healthcare providers, schools, law enforcement, social service agencies, faith communities, and large and small employers to create safer and more affirming communities and increase awareness of resources.
Queer Voices
This panel of LGBTQ+ identified youth and adults, as well as ally parents share stories of coming out, love, acceptance, and their lived experiences as a queer individual. These stories are showcased in educational, artistic, and support spaces throughout Sacramento to increase visibility and understanding.
Community Building
The Center works to build a culturally rich LGBTQ+ community through a variety of sponsored and collaborative community building events each year. Our community building programs are designed to provide a sense of belonging, affirming visibility, and support amongst chosen friends and family.
Sacramento Pride
The Sacramento Pride March and Festival is the largest demonstration of activism and celebration of diversity and inclusion in the region. Taking center stage on Capitol Mall, LGBTQ+ community members and our allies of every age, race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ability, and religion come together to celebrate how far we have come in the equality movement, but also to demonstrate how much further we have to go to achieve cultural affirmation and social equity.
Events & Activities
We also support the personal growth of individuals through educational and life-enriching activities. In addition to Sacramento Pride, the Center hosts dozens of events annually including Q-Prom, Transgender Day of Visibility activities, a Friendsgiving shared community meal, Camp Camp: an LGBTQ+ summer camp, Out at the State Fair, World AIDS Day, film screenings, educational workshops, town hall meetings, artist showcases, an SVGLS softball team, amongst many others. We also work with outside organizations to increase visibility and provide community building opportunities through events such as equality nights in partnership with local professional sports teams.
Community Space
The Center serves as a community hub and gathering space in times of celebration and tragedy. We provide access to information and resources on our community bulletin boards and through our on-site computer lab. The Lambda Lounge and conference room are available at low to no-cost for community groups to use for their board meetings, events, support programs, or other community engagement purposes.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Center provides opportunities for LGBTQ+ people and allies to engage with our community to learn, give something back, and feel empowered to work toward solving the challenges and disparities facing the LGBTQ+ population. We offer volunteer opportunities for ongoing direct service working directly with clients, general office administrative activities, outreach and events, fundraising and event planning. We also offer and a variety of high school, undergraduate, and graduate volunteer internships. We also offer two paid internships, a Thousand Strong high school internship in partnership with the Sacramento Stonewall Foundation and an outreach internship in partnership with the California Endowment Building Healthy Communities Initiative.
Where we work
Affiliations & memberships
CenterLink 2010
Midtown Business Association 2017
Rainbow Chamber of Commerce 2005
External reviews
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of people tested for HIV
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Health & Wellness
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of support groups offered
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Women and girls, LGBTQ people, Children and youth
Related Program
Community Building
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Number of children and youth who have received access to stable housing
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Young adults, At-risk youth
Related Program
Health & Wellness
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This field is populated by three of our housing programs. Those programs are the Short-Term Transitional Emergency Placement Programs, Transitional Living Program, and Host Homes Program.
Number of referrals to resources offered
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, LGBTQ people
Related Program
Health & Wellness
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of youth that utilize mental health respite and peer mentorship
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
LGBTQ people, Children and youth, At-risk youth
Related Program
Health & Wellness
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Q-Spot Drop-In Center: 7-days a week, we offer LGBTQ+ youth a safe and brave space for social and emotional support through mental health respite and peer mentorship.
Number of clients participating in support groups
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, LGBTQ people, Multiracial people
Related Program
Community Building
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of contraceptives purchased to be distributed
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Health & Wellness
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Number of patient visits
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Health & Wellness
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Number of patients receiving free COVID-10 PCR/Rapid tests and/or vaccinations/boosters.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The Sacramento LGBT Community Center provides health and wellness, advocacy, and community building programs and services to build a stronger, more vibrant, visible, and supported LGBTQ+ community in our region.
We believe that all LGBTQ+ people who call the Greater Sacramento Region home deserve responsive and dignified treatment, equitable access to health and wellness, economic opportunity, PRIDE and a sense of belonging.
Our long range goals:
1. End youth homelessness, including consistent access to respite care, crisis intervention and transitional housing, with an end goal to obtain permanent housing
2. Ensure schools and other educational institutions are safe and welcoming for LGBTQ+ students
3. Achieve equitable representation and engagement of LGBTQ+ people in civic institutions
4. Establish ongoing coordination and collaboration among all organizations serving the LGBTQ+ community
5. Increase healthcare and employment opportunities for transgender people, particularly transgender people of color
6. Establish Sacramento Pride as the largest celebration of activism, inclusion, and community in the region
7. Provide LGBTQ+ older adults with affirming housing and healthcare, as well as safe and welcoming social activities and environments
8. Prevent new HIV infections
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
1. Provide health, wellness, housing, youth enrichment, and leadership programs for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 13-24)
2. Provide health, wellness, and educational programs and services for LGBTQ+ adults (ages (25+)
3. Provide gender and sexual health services and outreach
4. Provide economic justice programs that support transgender, gender non-conforming, lesbian, gay, and bisexual people
5. Provide individual advocacy for LGBTQ+ people facing discrimination or violence because of their identity
6. Increase cultural humility and change the service delivery of systems that touch the LGBTQ+ in measurable ways (i.e. healthcare, schools, and criminal justice)
7. Advocate for LGBTQ+ affirming public policy and allocation of resources
8. Build and enhance strategic alliances with LGBTQ+ and allied organizations to integrate service delivery, address gaps in services and to eliminate undesired duplication of services (i.e. employment, housing, mental health, homeless services and food banks)
9. Provide high value volunteer opportunities for an increasing number of volunteers who fully reflect the diversity and demographics of our region
10. Hold high quality events that build community, partnership, awareness and resources
11. Secure and maintain a facility (or facilities) that meets the needs of our community and enables Center staff to implement programming and administrate effectively
12. Provide salaries, benefits, supervision, professional development and opportunities for professional advancement that foster a stable, healthy and enthusiastic workforce
13. Recruit a Board of Directors that provides exemplary governance, fundraising and ambassadorship
14. Develop and update an annual fundraising plan and a three-year financial forecast
15. Develop mechanisms for sound financial controls and operational sustainability
16. Develop strategies for ongoing program evaluation, data management, and reporting
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The Center celebrated 40 years of service to the community in 2018. The current staff and board of directors mirror our diverse community. We are fortunate to welcome hundreds of volunteers who enrich the daily operations of the organization.
The Center has grown rapidly in recent years; in both staff, programs and budget. The introduction of our emergency, shelter and transitional housing programs have been most impactful in our ability to grow the Center and to grow our staff capabilities in helping so many vulnerable populations.
We owe much of the increase in our budget and subsequent program outcomes to the new connections we have made within the community and the partnerships we have formed.
LGBTQ+ youth access our services every day of the week through the Q-Spot drop-in center, where they receive an affirming welcome, crisis intervention, a vulnerability assessment, food, clothing, survival kits, hygiene supplies, a shower and referrals to housing and counseling options. Our resource teams are tuned in to the needs of this vulnerable population and have identified a spectrum of service providers who are affirming and knowledgeable around victims and the LGBTQ+ community. Our legal clinic is available as a pro-bono service and currently provides legal services related to housing, health, welfare, benefits, and employment issues.
Approximately 200 youth currently receive services at the Q-Spot every week with 50% of them experiencing homelessness.
For individuals living with HIVAIDS we offer peer support group meetings and almost 20 additional support groups for various sub-populations; people of color, transgender support, disability, substance use, art therapy, and groups aimed at specific age groups, sexual orientations, gender identities and those specifically for our Spanish speaking population.
The Center operates three main programs: Health and Wellness, Advocacy, and Building Community.
" Health and Wellness: - Our Health and Wellness programs support vulnerable and homeless LGBTQ+ youth to improve their health, safety, economic status, self-esteem, and self-sufficiency toward positive life choices in an environment that is affirming and supportive.
" Our Advocacy program has long served the LGBTQ+ community by providing a place for coordination and meeting, testifying before state and local legislative bodies and reaching out to and educating hundreds of organizations and agencies throughout the region on legislation, cultural competency and LGBTQ+ community needs, including youth adult and elders.
" Our Building Community program endeavors to provide an environment where disenfranchised and underserved individuals can experience a sense of belonging and welcome. In addition, our Building Community program organizes the Sacramento Pride event every year along with many other community building events and activities for the LGBTQ+ community and allies.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
In 2020 the Center shared the following impact information:
5,295 emergency and transitional bed nights for youth experiencing homelessness
735 clients accessed support groups and 335 received mental health respite
9,362 COVID-19 tests provided to the community
4,492 educators, healthcare workers, employers, and community service providers given training in cultural humility
150 trans youth care packages distributed
$14,000+ in COVID relief financial assistance to more than 45 community members
In coming years we aim to:
1. reduce youth homelessness, providing consistent access to respite care, crisis intervention and transitional housing, with an end goal to obtain permanent housing
2. Ensure schools and other educational institutions are safe and welcoming for LGBTQ+ students
3. Achieve equitable representation and engagement of LGBTQ+ people in civic institutions
4. Establish ongoing coordination and collaboration among all organizations serving the LGBTQ+ community
5. Increase healthcare and employment opportunities for transgender people, particularly transgender people of color
6. Establish Sacramento Pride as the largest celebration of activism, inclusion, and community in the region
7. Provide LGBTQ+ older adults with affirming housing and healthcare, as well as safe and welcoming social activities and environments
8. Prevent new HIV infections
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Sacramento LGBT Community Center
Board of directorsas of 04/01/2022
Mr. Carl Colegrove
Sacramento Native American Health Center
Frank Mecca
California Welfare Directors Association
Natalie Fujikawa
Gordon & Rees LLP
Patrick Harbison
PH PR
Ken Plumlee
Lumens
Josh Nisbet
Deloitte
Jody Nelsen
Sacramento State University
Joshua M Johnson
American River College
Darcy Totten
California Commission on Women and Girls
Maya Wallace
State of CA
Karl Crudup
Sacramento Kings
Lawrence Shelley-Lowery
UC Davis Health
Humberto Temporini
Kaiser Permanente
Trina Gonzalez
CA Hospital Association
Eddie Moreno
Cal OES
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
-
Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
Equity strategies
Last updated: 03/31/2022GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
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- Contractor and/or Paid Preparer data for 2019, 2018, 2017
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