irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.24MTECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: TRUE COLORS UNITED PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITIES ON BUILDING SYSTEM-LEVEL RESPONSES TO YOUTH HOMELESSNESS THAT PROVIDE MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO LEAD AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE DEPARTMENT WORKS WITH COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN AWARDED HUD'S YOUTH HOMELESSNESS DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM FUNDING TO SUPPORT THEM IN DEVELOPING A STRONG ACTION PLAN FOR YOUTH COLLABORATION ALONGSIDE FEDERAL PROJECT FUNDING FOR YOUTH SERVICES WHILE BUILDING THEIR COMPETENCIES IN LGBTQ+ AND RACIAL EQUITY.
- #2 $593KTRAINING AND EDUCATION: TRUE COLORS UNITED WORKS WITH COMMUNITIES AND SERVICE PROVIDERS, SUCH AS SHELTERS, TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAMS, AND OTHER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS AGENCIES, TO ENSURE LGBTQ+ AND BIPOC YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS HAVE ACCESS TO THE INCLUSIVE AND AFFIRMING SERVICES THEY NEED. TRUE COLORS UNITED DEVELOPS RESOURCES TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO SERVICE PROVIDERS ABOUT LGBTQ+ IDENTITY, DISCRIMINATION, RACIAL EQUITY, YOUTH COLLABORATION, AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT. THESE RESOURCES INCLUDE THE EQUITY HUB, ONLINE LEARNING COMMUNITY, DIGITAL TOOLKITS, VIDEO TRAININGS, AND OTHER SAFE SPACE TOOLS.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Advocacy and Public Policy Program
Advances policy change at federal and state levels through initiatives like the State Index on Youth Homelessness, #TrueColorsDay, and the Safe Home Campaign with the UN Human Rights Office. Focuses on securing funding and protections for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth.
Impact Summit (Youth Action Summit)
National convening of at least 50 young people with lived experience of homelessness and allies to exchange best practices, receive training, and develop national strategies under themes of liberation, joy, and community building. HUD-approved and co-developed with the National Youth Forum on Homelessness.
Research Initiative
Conducts and collaborates on research to better understand LGBTQ+ youth homelessness, including prevention strategies and international efforts in Europe and Central Asia.
Technical Assistance Program
Provides communities—especially those awarded HUD’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program funding—with support to develop action plans that center youth collaboration, LGBTQ+ equity, and racial justice in local responses to youth homelessness.
Training & Education Program
Offers free resources, toolkits, online courses, and trainings (e.g., Equity Hub, Inclusion Toolbox, Inclusion Assessment) to expand the capacity of service providers to deliver inclusive, affirming services for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth experiencing homelessness.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Support Services 3 activities
- Advocate for policy change to prevent LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth homelessnessEngages in advocacy at federal, state, and local levels to advance public policies that protect LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth experiencing homelessness, secure funding for services, and reform systems such as foster care that contribute to homelessness. Includes monitoring anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, highlighting its connection to youth homelessness, and promoting equitable solutions through initiatives like the State Index on Youth Homelessness.
- Lead public engagement campaigns to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ youth homelessnessOrganizes #TrueColorsDay and other public campaigns such as the Safe Home Campaign in partnership with the United Nations Human Rights Office to mobilize advocacy, defend human rights, and inspire public involvement in ending homelessness among LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth.
- Maintain resource hubs and affirming public messaging for marginalized youthOperates a regularly updated resource hub focused on racial justice and support for Black LGBTQ+ youth and provides affirming public messaging to uplift BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness, counter injustice, and combat the politicization of trans identity.
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Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Create leadership opportunities and national forums for youth with lived experienceCo-develops and convenes national summits such as the HUD-approved Youth Action Summit, bringing together youth with lived experience of homelessness to exchange best practices, receive training, build power, and create national strategies to end youth homelessness.
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LGBTQ+ Cultural Competency & Community Education 1 activity
- Provide training and capacity-building for service providers on LGBTQ+ youth homelessnessOffers free training, technical assistance, and resources to improve cultural competency and expand the capacity of service providers to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth experiencing homelessness. Supported over 70 communities through HUD’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project with training in LGBTQ+ and racial equity, project management, and youth collaboration.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Conduct research on LGBTQ+ youth homelessness and related risk factorsConducts and collaborates on original research to identify causes, disparities, and support needs among LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness, including studies showing they are 120% more likely to experience homelessness and identifying key needs such as housing, legal assistance, gender marker changes, and healthcare access. Research extends to prevention strategies and international contexts including Europe and Central Asia.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.43M
Contributions & grants$3.31M96%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$4K0%
Other revenue$124K
expenses
Total expenses$4.00M
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$2.55M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$106K
Cash$94K
Investments$12K
Liabilities$102K
Net assets$4K
Liquid reserves0.3 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +1.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 5
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MORGAN JENKINS | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 40 | $158K |
| RYAN WHITE | CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER | 40 | $140K |
| KAHLIB BARTON | CHIEF PROGRAMS OFFICER | 40 | $133K |
| JEFFREY KATZ | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $129K |
| FRANCIS DYLAN WAGUESPACK | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $129K |
board members · 7
- ANN OLIVA — DIRECTOR & PRESIDENT (FROM
- JASMINE HAYES — DIRECTOR
- JOSEPH AVALLONE — VICE-PRESIDENT & TREASURER
- MONIQUE KING-VIEHLAND — DIRECTOR
- PATRICK POCKLINGTON — SECRETARY
- PRESTON MITCHUM — DIRECTOR
- SARA RAMIREZ — DIRECTOR
relationships · 33
Who they work with
- 988 Lifeline Partner — Provides referral access to crisis support services for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth.
- ACLU Partner — Collaborates by referencing ACLU's legislative tracking data on anti-LGBTQ+ rights.
- BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective) Partner — Offers mental health and wellness resources for Black communities, recommended by True Colors United.
- BYP100 Partner — Partner organization focused on Black youth activism, recommended for engagement and collaboration.
- Call Blackline Partner — Provides referral access to crisis support services for Black and marginalized communities.
- Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago Partner — Collaborated on or cited research regarding the disproportionate rates of homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth.
- Cyndi Lauper Partner — Co-Founder of True Colors United and public advocate for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness.
- Equality Federation Partner — Uses Equality Federation's tracker to identify and report on anti-transgender legislation.
- House of Tulip Partner — Highlighted as a community-led initiative creating housing solutions for trans and gender-nonconforming people in Louisiana.
- Jeff Katz Government — Interim Co-CEO of True Colors United
- KJHouse Partner — International partner organization in Nairobi with which True Colors United conducts in-person collaboration.
- LGBT National Hotline Partner — Provides referral access to crisis support services for LGBTQ+ youth.
- LGBTQ+ Center Directory Partner — Provides referral access to local LGBTQ+ community centers for youth in need.
- LGBTQ+ Movement Advancement Project Partner — Directs to Movement Advancement Project for educational resources on transgender acceptance.
- LGBTQ+ Movement Advancement Project Partner — References resources from LGBTQ+ Movement Advancement Project to support education on anti-LGBTQ+ bills.
- LegiScan Partner — Recommends LegiScan as a tool for tracking the progress of state legislation.
- Movement for Black Lives Partner — Collaborates on safety protocols and public health guidance for protesting, and is promoted as a key organization in the racial justice movement.
- National Conference of State Legislatures Partner — Guides advocates to NCSL for live legislative broadcasts and updates.
- National Queer and Trans Therapist of Color Network Partner — Provides access to mental health support for queer and trans people of color, recommended by True Colors United.
- National Youth Forum on Homelessness Partner — Co-developed the 2023 Youth Action Summit with True Colors United staff.
- Plural Policy Partner — Directs advocates to Plural Policy to find state legislators for outreach during #TrueColorsDay.
- Plural Policy Partner — Directs users to Plural Policy to identify and contact their state legislators.
- Soho Shakes Partner — Supports the development and maintenance of the Black Lives Action Center.
- StrongHearts Native Helpline Partner — Provides referral access to crisis support services for Native youth.
- The Trevor Project Partner — Provides crisis counseling services recommended by True Colors United for Black LGBTQ young people.
- Thrive Lifeline Partner — Provides referral access to crisis support services for LGBTQ+ youth.
- Trans Lifeline Partner — Provides referral access to crisis support services for transgender youth.
- Trevor Lifeline Partner — Provides referral access to crisis support services for LGBTQ+ youth.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Partner — Collaborates through HUD's Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project to train community leaders on LGBTQ+ and racial equity and youth collaboration.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Partner — Collaborates through the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project to provide technical assistance on LGBTQ and racial equity, project management, and youth collaboration.
+ 3 more
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Wide Engagementmethodology: community-wide-engagementBy mobilizing broad societal participation—including individuals, institutions, and allies—beyond traditional service systems, progress against LGBTQ+ youth homelessness accelerates because cultural change requires collective responsibility.
- Equity-Centered Provider Transformationmethodology: equity-centered provider transformationBy equipping service providers with cultural competency training and tools to embed racial and LGBTQ+ equity, systems become more affirming and effective because structural change within institutions reduces harm and increases engagement.
- Equity-First Designmethodology: equity-first designBy designing services and systems that are safe and affirming for the most marginalized youth—particularly LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth—the resulting models are more inclusive and effective for all youth, because equity-centered design addresses root causes of exclusion.
- Lived-Experience Leadershipmethodology: lived-experience leadershipBy elevating individuals with lived experience of homelessness as experts and leaders, solutions become more effective because authentic insight drives innovation and trust, particularly in marginalized communities.
- Youth-Led Systems Changemethodology: youth-led systems changeBy centering youth with lived experience of homelessness as leaders in advocacy and program design, systemic change is more effective and sustainable because those most impacted hold critical insights and drive authentic reform.