irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2020
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $84KCommunity Education - The educational efforts of the Gay Alliance are known as the LGBTQ Academy. The Gay Alliance strives to make Rochester a Safe Zone for all LGBTQ and allied individuals. For forty years we have provided education and training that is proven to be effective, relevant and age appropriate in any setting and tailored to the needs of any group. Our programs focus on youth, community safety, LGBTQ history, aging, creating a safe campus, and becoming a straight ally. The Education Program also provides LGBTQ community outreach, which includes GARD, an on-line directory of over 1500 resources, on-line community calendars.
- #2 $34KThe Empty Closet: For over 40 years it has been the publication for the Rochester area LGBTQ community. The publication provides local, state, national and international news, entertainment features, op/ed pieces, interviews, columnists and community information in an effort to help build a stronger LGBTQ and allied community. Eleven issues are published each year, February to December - January. The Empty Closet also has a news blog site, and each issue, in full color, is available for viewing on-line. The Empty Closet also maintains a Facebook page, and selected news stories are available on Twitter. Advertising sales amounted to $13,757.Continued on Schedule OCopies are mailed to all donors of the Gay Alliance and a distribution service delivers the publication to dozens of locations throughout western New York, where it is available for free. Between 5,000 and 6,000 copies are printed each month, as well as special Pride supplements in June and July.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
LGBTQ Academy
Education and training programs on LGBTQ history, youth issues, community safety, and allyship, tailored to schools, organizations, and community groups.
Lilac Library
Publicly accessible LGBTQ+ library with over 11,000 items including books, films, music, and historical archives; offers borrowing, donations, and community access.
Queer Art Club
Monthly creative gathering for LGBTQIA+ community members to engage in art projects and build connections in a relaxed setting.
SAGEVets Financial Wellness Programs
Workshops and events focused on financial literacy and wellness for LGBTQ+ veterans and older adults.
The Empty Closet
Monthly publication providing local, national, and international LGBTQ+ news, opinion, and cultural content, with over 5,000 printed copies distributed monthly and online access available.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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LGBTQ+ Community Events and Celebrations 2 activities
- Conduct historical advocacy actions for LGBTQ visibility and rightsOrganized public demonstrations including marches on City Hall, a 1987 “kiss-in” at Durand Eastman Park, a 1978 rally at Genesee Crossroads Park opposing Anita Bryant’s anti-gay campaign, and initiated formal dialogue with the Rochester Police Department in 1974 to advance LGBTQ visibility and rights.
- Support LGBTQIA+ events and performancesOrganizes and hosts community events including Pop Up Pride and Rainbow Union programs, supports public performances by the Rochester Gay Men's Chorus, and promotes activism, art, and fundraising through event programming.
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LGBTQ+ Community Support and Resource Centers 2 activities
- Maintain and share LGBTQIA+ resource directoryMaintains and updates an online directory of over 1,500 LGBTQIA+ and allied organizations for referrals, collaborations, education, and information sharing; supports community engagement through online calendars and digital access.
- Operate LGBTQIA+ community resource center and libraryOperates the largest publicly available LGBTQIA+ library in New York State, housing over 11,000 items including books, films, rare publications, and a complete run of The Empty Closet; provides free borrowing privileges, circulation services, and collection maintenance through volunteer-supported operations at the Lilac Library.
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Community Art Education Workshops 1 activity
- Host educational and creative community programsHosts monthly art-making activities and art-centered hangouts facilitated by art therapists, organizes financial wellness workshops with certified professionals, and conducts free film screenings and annual art sales supporting over 50 local queer artisans.
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Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 1 activity
- Operate gender-affirming clothing closetOperates a community clothing closet offering gently used clothing and new gender-affirming items specifically for transgender community members.
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Public Awareness and Educational Outreach 1 activity
- Organize community outreach and tabling eventsConducts tabling and outreach activities across Monroe County to engage the community, raise visibility, and share resources.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Produce and distribute LGBTQ community publicationProduces and distributes The Empty Closet, a community publication with eleven print issues annually and a monthly circulation of 5,000–6,000 copies, including special Pride editions; maintains an online news blog and social media presence for free public distribution across western New York.
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LGBTQ+ Cultural Competency & Community Education 1 activity
- Provide LGBTQ education and training through the LGBTQ AcademyOffers education and training programs through the LGBTQ Academy on topics including youth support, community safety, LGBTQ history, aging, campus safety, and ally development.
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Accessibility Services for Cultural Programs 1 activity
- Provide community space and accommodations for events and meetingsOffers an accessible community resource center that hosts meetings, events, and gatherings ranging from small groups to lectures for over 40 attendees; ensures accessibility through ASL interpreter coordination, service animal accommodation, and proximity to public transit.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$39K
Contributions & grants$39K100%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$56K
Program expenses55%
Admin / overhead31%
Fundraising15%
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$43K
Cash$49K
Investments$0
Liabilities$114K
Net assets$13K
Liquid reserves10.6 mo
2 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue -79.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022
Who runs it
board members · 5
- Jimmy Paulino — Board Member
- Mary Belcher — Board Member
- Maureen Connell — Board Member
- Stephen Devay — Board Member
- Trent Marshall — Board Member
relationships · 26
Who they work with
- 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse Museum Partner — Board member serves on the board of this museum.
- ACHC Partner — Board member has prior involvement with this community-based organization.
- Aids Rochester Partner — Board member has prior involvement with this organization.
- Baden Street Settlement Partner — Board member has prior involvement with this community-based organization.
- Club Q Partner — Participated in a vigil for victims of the Club Q shooting, indicating community solidarity and partnership.
- Creary Law Partner — Provides an attorney partner for the HomeBuyer Q&A event.
- Depaul Partner — Board member has prior involvement with this nonprofit organization.
- Genesee Country Village & Museum Partner — Board member is employed as curator at this institution.
- LibraryThing Partner — Hosts the Lilac Library's digital catalog, enabling public access to the collection online.
- Lilac Library Partner — Board member began volunteering at this library in 2023 before joining the board.
- Premium Mortgage Partner — Provides a lender participant for the HomeBuyer Q&A event.
- RTS Partner — Public transit provider located near the organization's facility
- Rainbow Union Partner — Program hosting community events in collaboration with Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley Inc.
- Rochester Gay Men's Chorus Partner — Supported through event promotion and hosting of public performances.
- Rochester Police Department Partner — Established a liaison relationship beginning in 1974, with ongoing engagement including a formal liaison maintained by the RPD.
- Rochester Rainbow Union Partner — Co-hosts the Queer Art Club and other community events.
- Rochester Rainbow Union Partner — Volunteer program operates under the Rochester Rainbow Union to serve the queer community in Rochester.
- Rochester Regional Health Partner — Board member has prior involvement with this health system.
- SUNY Geneseo Partner — Board member is affiliated with SUNY Geneseo as an alum and through leadership in its LGBTQ+ alumni group.
- Spotted Rabbit Partner — Collaborates on hosting the monthly Queer Art Club for LGBTQIA+ community members.
- Spotted Rabbit Studio Partner — Provides art therapists to facilitate monthly art-making activities at the Rainbow Union.
- The Empty Closet Partner — Publication operated as a core program of the Gay Alliance, producing news and community content for the LGBTQ population in western New York.
- The Empty Closet Newspaper Partner — Board member contributed a monthly column to this publication for nearly eight years.
- United Way Partner — Board member has prior involvement with United Way.
- University of Rochester Partner — Board member affiliated through professional work at the University of Rochester.
- Visit Rochester IDEA Committee Partner — Board member serves on this committee.
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-Centered Co-Creation for Collective Empowermentmethodology: community-centered co-creationBy co-creating events and programming with the LGBTQIA+ community, the organization fosters deeper engagement and ownership, because involving community members in design ensures relevance, builds trust, and strengthens collective identity and activism.
- Education as a Tool for Safety and Inclusionmethodology: education-for-safetyBy delivering tailored, age-appropriate education and training through the LGBTQ Academy, the organization creates safer environments for LGBTQ individuals, because targeted education shifts attitudes, increases understanding, and fosters systemic inclusion across institutions and age groups.
- Media Production to Build Collective Identitymethodology: community-media-buildingBy producing a consistent print and digital publication for the LGBTQ community, the organization fosters cohesion and awareness, because accessible, community-relevant media strengthens shared identity, preserves culture, and sustains engagement over time.
- Networked Resource Sharing to Strengthen Community Infrastructuremethodology: networked_resource_sharingBy connecting with LGBTQIA+ and allied organizations to share resources and referrals, the organization strengthens community resilience, because distributed networks increase access to support and reduce duplication while amplifying collective impact.
- Visibility and Normalization Through Public Actionmethodology: visibility_and_normalization_through_public_actionBy organizing public demonstrations such as “kiss-ins,” the organization advances social acceptance of same-sex relationships, because visible, affirming public acts challenge stigma and normalize LGBTQ identities in everyday life.