Atlanta’s LGBT nonprofits run the gamut: assisting homeless and transgender youth; raising awareness of issues related to inclusivity, feminism and people of color; educating and testing ATL-iens for HIV/AIDS; lobbying on behalf of the community; networking with business owners; and more.
Though a number of these organizations receive government grant funding, a great portion of their work would be impossible without the greater LGBT and ally communities opening their pocketbooks and checkbooks. Georgia Voice examined the IRS Form 990s — a tax form required of nonprofits to prove their tax-exempt status — of 13 LGBT nonprofits in the metro area to see how your money is spent. An additional seven did not respond with the requested records as of press time: AID Atlanta, Positive Impact Health Centers, Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta, In the Life Atlanta, SPARK Reproductive Justice Now! and Southerners on New Ground. ZAMI NOBLA declined to share its financial records.
Form 990s are due on May 15 of each year, unless an organization requested a filing extension or an exemption. Both Trans Housing Atlanta and Pride School were exempt from filing for 2016, as they did not receive enough donations to meet the required $50,000 threshold. Georgia Equality files its 990 based on a fiscal year, not a calendar year, so its financials include data from 2015 and 2016.
AID Atlanta (2015)*
Mission: Reduce new HIV infections and improve the quality of life of HIV-positive individuals and others in the Atlanta area affected by HIV/AIDS.Did You Know? In 2014, AID Atlanta became the direct provider of outpatient ambulatory healthcare for HIV-positive patients. In 2015, $2.1 million was spent to provide STD and HIV testing and treatment, plus primary care, to these individuals, regardless of their ability to pay for services.
Atlanta Pride (2015)
Mission: Promote unity, visibility and self-esteem amongst members of the LGBT community in Atlanta and beyond by sponsoring and hosting a number of events throughout the year.overlapped with that of the new executive director, Jamie Green-Fergerson. Cooke’s salary was reported on the IRS Form 990 as $38,256 for that year.
obile USA at $50,000 each
Did You Know? About 250,000 people attended the 45th annual Atlanta Pride Festival in October 2015. That festival was supported by a number of corporate donors as well, including Wells Fargo, Atlanta Beverage Company, Target and MailChimp.
Charis Circle (2015)
Mission: Works directly with authors, activists and artists across the South to bring innovative and thoughtful programming to Atlanta’s feminist communities.workshops at the for-profit Charis Books and More.
Georgia Equality and Equality Foundation of Georgia (2015-16)
Mission: Works with legislators and other organizations to advance fairness, safety and opportunity for Georgia’s LGBT communities.Did You Know? Many of Georgia Equality and the Equality Foundation of Georgia’s operating expenses are covered by in-kind donations totaling just shy of $65,000 each year. These include rent, utilities, office expenses, phones and tech support.
Jerusalem House (2015)
Mission: Provide permanent housing to Atlanta’s low-income and homeless individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS.Lost-n-Found Youth, Inc. (2015)
Mission: Assists homeless LGBT youth in Atlanta with transitioning to permanent housing.Did You Know? The sale of donated clothing and household goods from Lost-n-Found’s original thrift store location — prior to its Norcross shop opening — brought in $527,151 during 2015.
NAESM (2015)
Mission: Provides networking and leadership to address health issues affecting black gay men, and build a community adamant about eliminating these conditions.Did you know? Between 2013 and 2015, more than 6,000 HIV tests were conducted thanks to donations to NAESM. The organization identified more than 125 patients during this time period. The majority of funding for these programs, in 2015, came from grants totaling $868,577.
Out On Film (2016)
Mission: Showcase films with a LGBT connection and highlight out actors, directors and others involved in the movie industry through an annual festival.Pride School Atlanta (2016 to 2017)
Mission: Provide a safe, inclusive, gender-affirming school environment for Atlanta’s K-12 students, and be a voice for advocacy in the community.Did You Know? For school operations — things like library books, liability insurance, technology, classroom supplies, printing and copying — it cost $5,870.30 to keep Pride School’s day-to-day going strong during this school year.
Real Youth, Inc. (2014)
Mission: Foster a positive networking and mentoring environment fDid you know? Donations to Real Youth go toward renting office space for drop-in group sessions and purchasing food for community events, such as meals distributed to those in need by Real Youth members and mentors.
Someone Cares, Inc. (2015)
Mission: Address the health disparities of HIV/AIDS in the LGBT community and provide needed services, education and outreach to the Atlanta area.with job readiness, name change, mental health and HIV and STD screenings.
THEA-Plus (2017)
Mission: Serve as a resource, education and support space for families of transgender and gender nonconforming children.Did You Know? It costs about $7,500 to put on the THEA Family Symposium each spring.
The Health Initiative (2015)
Mission: Improve the health and well-being of Georgia’s LGBT community through education, access to support and advocacy.Did You Know? The Rush Center is a program of The Health Initiative, but an agreement exists between it and the Equality Foundation of Georgia to share responsibility for various aspects of the Rush Center’s activities. This includes cosigning the lease for extra space and helping to raise funds for the program.
Trans Housing Atlanta, Inc. (2016)
Mission: Provide homeless transgender and gender nonconforming individuals with access to safe housing, job readiness training and supportive care.