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Non-profit

Center on Halsted (COH)

Website:

www.centeronhalsted.org/
Location:

Chicago, IL
Tax ID:

51-0178807
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2020):

Revenue: $5,789,604
Expenses: $5,841,775
Assets: $25,826,706
Executive Director:

Brad Snyder

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Center on Halsted (COH) is a left-leaning LGBT activist organization and community center. 1 Since its founding in 1973 as an LGBT youth helpline, the organization has expanded its operations to include a community center for LGBT people. 2 3 The center partnered with the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest left-leaning LGBT activism group, to denounce Target for rolling back a line of controversial LGBT-themed merchandise. 4

The organization is also staffed by individuals affiliated with left-of-center organizations. Staffers and board members have worked for United We Dream, a left-leaning immigration policy group, as well as LGBT activism groups, including the Pride Center of Vermont and the NYC Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project. 5 6

The center has received grants from organizations associated with left-of-center causes. The group received a grant from the MacArthur Foundation, a grantmaking institution with a history of donating to left-of-center organizations, and the Obama administration’s U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 7 8

Activities

In 1973, LGBT activists in Chicago founded Gay Horizons, a health and counseling helpline for the LGBT community of the city. 9 The group operated as an activism and support network before incorporating in 1985 as Horizons Community Services, after expanding operations. 10 The organization was renamed again in 2003 to Center on Halsted, to emphasize its planned permanent location that would become offices for the organization’s activism and support operations, and a community center for LGBT people. 11

Upon opening in 2007, the Center on Halsted offered trauma therapy, legal representation, resources to facilitate gender transition surgeries, and HIV testing. 12 13 The organization also lists groups that conduct gender reassignment surgery and offers referrals to abortion clinics under the youth resources section of its website. 14

The center partners with educational institutions to conduct research. 15 The center has promoted research studying “the activist experiences of transgender, non-binary and gender diverse parents who are active in the environmental justice movement,” and “oppression of the Gender Non-Conforming Community.” 16

In June of 2023, the Center on Halsted partnered with the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest left-leaning LGBT activism group, to denounce Target for rolling back a line of LGBT-themed merchandise that had caused controversy and to demand that the company make a public statement in support of the LGBT community and restore the merchandise’s availability. 17

Funding

According to a financial fact sheet published by the center for the 2022 fiscal year, the organization received 36 percent of its funding from local, state, and federal governments; 23 percent from foundations and corporations; and 19 percent from individuals, with earned income, special events, and program fees accounting for the remaining 22 percent of revenue. 18

In 2004, the Center on Halsted received a $250,000 grant from the MacArthur Foundation, a grantmaking institution with a history of donating to left-of-center causes, for the purpose of building a performing arts building in the community center. 19 Miriam Hoover, a Chicago philanthropist and financial backer of LGBT causes, donated $1 million to the center for the same cause. 20

In 2010, the organization received a $475,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with the support of Obama White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, who announced a campaign for the mayor of Chicago later in the year. 21

People

Victor Ravago is the chair of the center’s board of directors. 22 He is also a board director for United We Dream, a left-leaning immigration policy rights group. 23

Darren Reisberg was a board director for the center. 24 He was also chair of the Illinois State Board of Education and executive vice president of the Joyce Foundation, a left-of-center grantmaking institution based out of Chicago. 25

Brittany Terry is the senior director of diversity, equity, and inclusion of Center on Halsted. 26 She was a human resources coordinator at Northrop Grumman. 27

David Biele is the director of youth and family services at the center. 28 He also managed gender affirming programs at several organizations in the Chicago metropolitan area. 29 He donated to the 2020 presidential campaign of Joe Biden. 30

Kim Fountain was the chief operations officer of the center. 31 She was also the executive director of the Pride Center of Vermont and deputy director of the NYC Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project, where she managed public advocacy and community outreach. 32 She has engaged in legislative advocacy and protested with New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) and Sylvia Rivera, a left-leaning LGBT activist. 33

References

  1. “History.” Center on Halsted – Chicago’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Community Center. Accessed July 1, 2023. https://www.centeronhalsted.org/history.html.
  2. “History.” Center on Halsted – Chicago’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Community Center. Accessed July 1, 2023. https://www.centeronhalsted.org/history.html.
  3. “History.” Center on Halsted – Chicago’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Community Center. Accessed July 1, 2023. https://www.centeronhalsted.org/history.html.
  4.  HRC Staff. “Breaking: Over 200 LGBTQ+ and Allied Organizations Call on Target, Business Community to Speak out against Extremist Anti-LGBTQ+ Attacks.” Human Rights Campaign. Accessed July 1, 2023. https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/breaking-over-200-lgbtq-and-allied-organizations-call-on-target-business-community-to-speak-out-against-extremist-anti-lgbtq-attacks.
  5. Ravago, Victor. “Victor Ravago – LinkedIn.” LinkedIn. Accessed July 2, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorravago/.
  6. Fountain, Kim. “Kim Fountain | LinkedIn.” LinkedIn. Accessed July 2, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-fountain-0a204328.
  7. “Horizons Community Services, Center on Halsted – MacArthur Foundation.” MacArthur Foundation. Accessed July 1, 2023. https://www.macfound.org/grantee/horizons-community-services-center-on-halsted-27747/.
  8. “History.” Center on Halsted – Chicago’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Community Center. Accessed July 1, 2023. https://www.centeronhalsted.org/history.html.
  9. “History.” Center on Halsted – Chicago’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Community Center. Accessed July 1, 2023. https://www.centeronhalsted.org/history.html.
  10. “History.” Center on Halsted – Chicago’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Community Center. Accessed July 1, 2023. https://www.centeronhalsted.org/history.html.
  11. “History.” Center on Halsted – Chicago’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Community Center. Accessed July 1, 2023. https://www.centeronhalsted.org/history.html.
  12. “Behavioral Health.” Center on Halsted – Chicago’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Community Center. Accessed July 1, 2023. https://www.centeronhalsted.org/behavioralhealth.html.
  13. “HIV Resource Hub.” Center on Halsted – Chicago’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Community Center. Accessed July 1, 2023. https://www.centeronhalsted.org/hiv.html.
  14. “Youth Resources.” Center on Halsted – Chicago’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Community Center. Accessed July 1, 2023. https://www.centeronhalsted.org/resource-directory/youth/index.html.
  15. “Research.” Center on Halsted – Chicago’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Community Center. Accessed July 1, 2023. https://www.centeronhalsted.org/research.html.
  16. “Research.” Center on Halsted – Chicago’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Community Center. Accessed July 1, 2023. https://www.centeronhalsted.org/research.html.
  17. HRC Staff. “Breaking: Over 200 LGBTQ+ and Allied Organizations Call on Target, Business Community to Speak out against Extremist Anti-LGBTQ+ Attacks.” Human Rights Campaign. Accessed July 1, 2023. https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/breaking-over-200-lgbtq-and-allied-organizations-call-on-target-business-community-to-speak-out-against-extremist-anti-lgbtq-attacks.
  18.  “FY22 Fact Sheet.” Center on Halsted. Accessed July 2, 2023. https://centeronhalsted.org/FY22_factsheet_coh.pdf.
  19. “Horizons Community Services, Center on Halsted – MacArthur Foundation.” MacArthur Foundation. Accessed July 1, 2023. https://www.macfound.org/grantee/horizons-community-services-center-on-halsted-27747/.
  20. “Center on Halsted Fall 2005 Edition.” Center on Halsted – Chicago’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Community Center. Accessed July 1, 2023. https://www.centeronhalsted.org/senior.html.
  21. “History.” Center on Halsted – Chicago’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Community Center. Accessed July 1, 2023. https://www.centeronhalsted.org/history.html.
  22.  Ravago, Victor. “Victor Ravago – LinkedIn.” LinkedIn. Accessed July 2, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorravago/.
  23. Ravago, Victor. “Victor Ravago – LinkedIn.” LinkedIn. Accessed July 2, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorravago/.
  24. Reisberg, Darren. “Darren Reisberg – President – Hartwick College | LinkedIn.” LinkedIn. Accessed July 2, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-reisberg-71567526.
  25. Reisberg, Darren. “Darren Reisberg – President – Hartwick College | LinkedIn.” LinkedIn. Accessed July 2, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-reisberg-71567526.
  26. Terry, Brittany. “Brittany Terry | LinkedIn.” LinkedIn. Accessed July 2, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-terry/.
  27. Terry, Brittany. “Brittany Terry | LinkedIn.” LinkedIn. Accessed July 2, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-terry/.
  28. “Team.” Center on Halsted – Chicago’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Community Center. Accessed July 1, 2023. https://www.centeronhalsted.org/team.html.
  29. “Team.” Center on Halsted – Chicago’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Community Center. Accessed July 1, 2023. https://www.centeronhalsted.org/team.html
  30. [1] “Browse Individual Contributions.” FEC.gov. Accessed July 1, 2023. https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?contributor_name=David%2Bbiele&contributor_employer=Center%2Bon%2BHalsted
  31. Fountain, Kim. “Kim Fountain | LinkedIn.” LinkedIn. Accessed July 2, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-fountain-0a204328.
  32.  Fountain, Kim. “Kim Fountain | LinkedIn.” LinkedIn. Accessed July 2, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-fountain-0a204328.
  33. Tuttle, Chris. “40 Change Makers: Kim Fountain.” NYC Anti-Violence Project, August 3, 2022. https://avp.org/2022/03/14/40-change-makers-kim-fountain/.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: June - May
  • Tax Exemption Received: September 1, 1977

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2020 Jun Form 990 $5,789,604 $5,841,775 $25,826,706 $7,749,993 Y $4,819,705 $360,474 $122,611 $239,895 PDF
    2019 Jun Form 990 $5,214,143 $6,786,432 $24,922,570 $6,679,063 Y $3,863,703 $439,813 $188,325 $354,402 PDF
    2018 Jun Form 990 $6,704,990 $6,650,550 $25,628,187 $5,768,579 Y $5,371,950 $445,113 $180,485 $355,362 PDF
    2017 Jun Form 990 $5,258,914 $6,293,773 $26,179,442 $6,423,611 Y $3,733,063 $577,157 $90,348 $327,929 PDF
    2016 Jun Form 990 $5,474,690 $5,855,015 $26,706,001 $6,180,738 Y $4,288,375 $414,018 $112,091 $318,322 PDF
    2015 Jun Form 990 $7,007,582 $5,302,188 $26,823,122 $5,794,584 Y $5,875,227 $292,209 $57,778 $312,443 PDF
    2014 Jun Form 990 $6,519,654 $5,102,286 $25,555,184 $6,176,383 Y $5,473,771 $320,752 $68,281 $288,853 PDF
    2013 Jun Form 990 $4,392,514 $5,363,204 $24,254,947 $6,572,210 Y $3,576,197 $355,853 $63,298 $287,608 PDF
    2012 Jun Form 990 $4,572,818 $5,070,645 $25,103,109 $6,621,267 Y $3,836,048 $308,128 $58,073 $263,497 PDF
    2011 Jun Form 990 $3,993,818 $4,448,588 $25,262,331 $6,209,035 Y $3,279,662 $294,486 $66,398 $250,620 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Center on Halsted (COH)

    3656 NORTH HALSTED
    Chicago, IL 60613-5974