CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers

I started a nonprofit organization/center in Georgia, and joining Centerlink was the best thing I could have done for the organization and my team! I was greeted by Sharron Gay, who is in charge of their membership, and was given a discount for my first year. Everyone on the team has been so helpful and knowledgeable with questions and concerns I have about running a nonprofit. The webinars are so amazing because it has connected me with other nonprofit staff and founders all across the country. Centerlink really focuses on the community and helping each other. I would recommend them to EVERYONE!

Running an LGBTQ center can feel isolating when you're doing so in Texas. CenterLink helps our agency feel so supported and we wouldn't be where we are without their resources, peer coaching, and information sharing.

CenterLink is an absolutely vital organization for our community center and many others like us. As an advocacy director, I rely on CenterLink's "ActionLink" to keep up to date on relevant national news regarding our community. As a youth-serving organization, we rely on CenterLink's "YouthLink" to provide life-saving resources to our young people. The CenterLink leadership summit each year, and the Coffee with Colleagues events allow us to stay connected to other LGBTQ centers throughout the country, so we can keep up on best practices and innovations, and experience necessary peer support. When one of our youth moves away, or when families reach out to us asking if there is a community center in their state or city, we can go to CenterLink and ensure we're connecting them with the resources they need no matter where they live.

We love CenterLink, and we're so grateful.

CenterLink has provided us so much caring support, especially around our youth programming and safety and security. Their team is kind and responsive.

I am beyond thankful for CenterLink, without their support Pride Center West Texas would not exist and without PCWT we wouldn't have a queer focused nonprofit in the region.

My experience with Centerlink is working for a partner agency with them. The knowledge & best practices shared with partner agencies is priceless. We are all doing amazing work, but when we start something new, or perhaps something isn't working as well, or we need some inspiration there are so many resources within Centerlinks network that every question gets answered, new ideas receive support and every block is approached with innovated ways to clear it. This network also provides much needed support on small things like best groups game for LGBQTOIA+ young people ages 11-13 to what software I should use to check in our patrons - every inquiry gets the resources we need to keep doing the good work we do and potentially enhance it!

CenterLink provides invaluable tools, resources, and support to LGBGQ+ Community Centers everywhere. Since I've started using the information they provide I've never felt like I have to start any project "from scratch" because I can always begin by learning about what other Centers have done and build on that. The opportunity to network and learn from other Center leaders around the country has provided both critical information and inspiration to keep me going. CenterLink is a community of people who share a passion and and a drive, and who are committed to helping each other succeed. What could be better than that?

Centerlink has provided consistent support and connection for IYG over the past 8 years. Our organization has benefited greatly from their willingness to share knowledge and contacts.

CenterLink connnects us to resources we don’t have in North Carolina or even in the south! It’s a great way to stay connected with other orgs who are doing similar work in the American south who are being so directly targeted by anti lgbt legislation.

My organization is exceptionally thankful for Centerlink. The helpful guidance of Sharron Gay assisted me in staying motivated ad completing my goal of becoming a 501c3 organization, and we have been so impressed with their numerous resources and connections. We hope to see Centerlink thrive for many, many years to come!

CenterLInk has supported me and the center where I work in so many ways -- connection to funders, participation in fundraising event, program support and advice, governance resources, leadership resources, networking, advocacy support, etc. CenterLink is an amazing and valued partner that has benefitted my organization for its entire history!

Henderson Equality center 1490 Sunset Rd. this place is not what it appears to be CEO owner of this place has a long criminal record from drug trafficking Felonise to stocking harassment Felonise from Florida to Chicago to Albuquerque New Mexico and now him and his partner are here in Vegas with the same activity
He has been heard making very racist comments such as ( ignorant N——- ) he also has open court case for such here in Nevada be very careful using any of there services such as pantry or medical giving out any personal data you could be at risk him and his partner have nothing to do with the lgbtq center of Vegas or Vegas pride that has been around for over 40 years
Him and his partner have been removed from any activity’s involvement with the center abd HRC of Vegas

We would not have survived as an organization and certainly would not be thriving without CenterLink. The experience of CenterLink's team and the strength of the network they support have been invaluable to our development as a nonprofit organization. We struggled just to survive, hold onto a space, and one underpaid staff person for 25+ years, but with CenterLink's advice, resources, leadership training, the SUMMIT!, and support for our board and staff over the last 10 years, we are thriving. Today we are sustainably funded, the largest and most comprehensive LGBTQ+ service provider in the region with more than 50 staff and have purchased a permanent home for our community. We couldn't have done it without the inspiration and network tha CenterLink provides.

CenterLink has shown what community support and connection is all about, Keeping community closely integrated, involved and up to date on current affairs that impact 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and their families. I see the constant need for support, advocacy, education and ally ship within the state I live and the organization I am honored to work for. We as staff and board members at Oklahomans for Equality could not manage without the support or knowledge offered by the team at CenterLink. we hope to always have a connection and a continued partnership with the great folks within the CenterLink organization. We look forward to continuing to learn from their knowledgeable staff and expert leadership & training to further guide us in our very important mission focused work. as well as help keep us well connected with great community partners.

CenterLink always goes above and beyond to help member centers, organizations, and individuals looking for resources and support. The staff is friendly, efficient, incredibly helpful, and beyond supportive. Where some organizations may have fundraisers to support their organization only, CenterLink consistently and tirelessly works to make sure that any fundraiser they create is benefiting centers across the country and world. They are an invaluable resource and our center would not exist without them.

As a new program director, it can be a little overwhelming at times, fitting into the role, meeting clients' needs, and getting to know everyone and the resources available to our agency and clients. Centerlink has been an invaluable source of resources and a welcoming, warm, and safe place for me to voice my needs, concerns, fears, and hopes for the future while supporting us in our mission. Sharron has been so supportive and invaluable in my experience fitting into my new role thus far. The meetings and being introduced to like-minded people doing the same work have comforted me tremendously.

As Executive Director of Seacoast Outright for the past five years, I can honestly say a good part of our growth and success is due to the support of Centerlink. and their program, Youthlink. Without their resources, advice, and connectionwe would have struggled all by ourselves. They have been just great and have my deepest gratitude.

CenterLink is an invaluable resource for our organization. The annual Leadership Summit is something we look forward to every year and it has provided us with great insights and connections across the country that help us do our work. We are very grateful for all that the CenterLink staff do day in and day out all year long to benefit LGBTQ+ people everywhere.

Denise, CEO of Centerlink, served as a facilitator/moderator for the Sacramento LGBT Community Center's 2023 Board Retreat. Her support developing a meaningful agenda tailored for an organization in transition from a working board to a governance board was targeted and invaluable as the Board works towards it revamped goals. She prepared materials that were thoughtful and well-crafted and facilitated our two-day retreat in a way that incredibly engaging (and patient); her facilitation was also done in a manner that allowed the Board to cover an ambitious agenda while ensuring the Board was able to understand and retain the important information and processes covered.

Centerlink has been a tremendous resource for the staff at The Center on Colfax in Denver, CO. From training to morale support, Centerlink offers amazing resources for LGBTQ centers across the country.

CenterLink staff and community help more isolated centers like mine, and leaders like me, feel more connected and supported in our efforts to serve LGBTQ+ individuals & families. They are a critical component of our early and ongoing success.

When CoastPride was discriminated against by local insurance companies, CenterLink connected us to companies with reasonable rates that didn't decline coverage saying, "we don't insure Pride parades."

When CoastPride needs expert advice on nonprofit governance and fund development, CenterLink is always right there ready to impart their expertise and connect us to fellow Pride Centers for peer support.

We are grateful to everyone who works at CenterLink.

Centerlink has provided me with countless resources to build my own skills and knowledge base and to help improve my organization's programming. Their training offerings like Youth Mental Health First Aid and LGBTQ+ Youth Worker training have helped me immensely! Their staff have been friendly, affirming, and supportive!

We are a fledgling non-profit and CenterLink has helped us get a start. They have so many resources that I wish we had time to take advantage of! They are wonderful, kind people who walk the talk!

CenterLink has been a complete lifesaver to me as a newer Executive Director. They are always willing to lend a hand and to talk through any issues that you may have. They are constantly growing their own resources to make sure they stay on top of things and have the best advice and resources available!

Amazing team, and super supportive. They are well versed in the LGBTQ+ Community and the unique needs that come with it.

Centerlink has been so wonderful! I work at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center, and Centerlink has been a great support. They connect great opportunities to LGBT Centers around the United States. Centerlink also provides connections to educational opportunities, grants, professional support, advocacy, and the list goes on and on. I highly recommend you reach out to Centerlink for information regarding LGBTQ issues.

CenterLink has been a great connection point between my center and other LGBTQ+ centers. Working for a non-profit can be very isolating and it is nice to share the struggles and the successes with other centers, and CenterLink has made that possible.

At the start of the pandemic, my organization was going through some drastic changes. I reached out to CenterLink and found a caring and supportive group of people. Even though they were going through all the challenges everyone else were, they worked incredibly hard to reach out, organize, and coordinate so many of the small and large community originations. Together we met regularly to share, brainstorm and offer support to each other across the country.
They were innovative in offering remote access to conferences and continue to connect folks providing front line services in order to share and care for each other.

Really appreciate the personalized approach that CenterLink takes for each of its members - including providing relevant resources and even one-on-one coaching!

What an exceptional experience I've had with CenterLink! I run an organization named Prism United that serves LGBTQ youth in Southwest Alabama. CenterLink has singlehandedly been the most important resource in my career as the founding executive director of a nonprofit. They have connected me with relevant fundraising and grant opportunities, and (my favorite thing about them) they have spent so many hours on virtual calls giving me invaluable mentorship on how to grow my organization. Since Prism United became a CenterLink member, its operational budget has grown from $30k to $120k+ in a matter of a couple years. They have been a game-changer for us. I couldn't be more grateful.

Centerlink has been an amazing partner in helping connect me to a network of other LGBTQ Resource professionals across the country. I have worked on two different university campuses and the support I receive from this organization has been phenomenal. From ActionLink, HealthLink, and Youthlink resources, funding opportunities, and routine network calls with other EDs or national organizers, I feel truly supported in my role as I build out a campus community center that supports LGBTQ undergraduate students, graduate and professional students, postdocs, staff, faculty, and alumni. This job can be emotionally taxing but the support I have found with Centerlink helps make the job more manageable. I highly recommend them.

CenterLink has provided our organization with invaluable information on how to structure our organization, how to plan for the future, how to mitigate risks, and so much more! Their meetings are always so informative while also very engaging and the level of connection and knowledge of our organization by leaders in CenterLink continually blows us away. It truly is a personal connection and community-building organization. Additionally, being members of CenterLink has opened up so many opportunities to our organization that the membership has paid for itself a hundred times over! I cannot imagine where we would be without CenterLink, and I don't even want to try to! We recommend it for every LGBTQIA+ related nonprofit organization.

CenterLink is the best organization I have ever been a part of. I am new to my position and the amount of resources I have been provided to develop my ability to perform in my position has been phenomenal. I love this organization. I love attending the webinars/trainings available and I love the connections I have been able to make. It is truly an organization ahead of its time.

CenterLink is an essential leader in advocating and supporting LGBTQIA+ Centers. We rely on CenterLink to provide training, ideas, resources, and legislative advocacy and guidance. The work Denise and her team do for Centers is invaluable. Every time we have needed CenterLink, they respond quickly, with expertise, while ensuring they follow-up to guide our Center through challenges and opportunities. We have used services like the leadership and board member training, which has exceeded expectations, and provided practical tips and information we could apply. In addition to their quality services, the team at CenterLink are genuinely kind and inclusive leaders who work tirelessly in supporting Centers and their service to LGBTQIA+ communities.

CenterLink is a great partner to our center. As a new LGBTQ center, we reached out to CenterLink for guidance on how to get started. We continue to look to the center for help as we increase our capacity. CenterLink is the first place we look when we need to find funding support for our organization and they always deliver, whether in their monthly newsletter, emails, or website.

Danielle Stewart
West Virginia Gay & Lesbian Community Center

CenterLink has been one of the foremost supporters, educators, and resources for our organization as we grow and strategize for the future. No task is too small or too great and all questions are met with enthusiasm by the team at CenterLink.

Center link has been an essential resource for us as an LGBTQ community center. The advice and guidance they provide has been crucial in our growth!

CenterLink has been a valuable source of professional expertise, experience, and creative thought as I embark on my journey as a first-time Executive Director. As our organization continues to grow, I look forward to continued collaboration with CenterLink to meet our goals and build a sustainable future.

Our team at the Yale LGBTQ Mental Health Initiative has enjoyed a deeply meaningful and productive collaboration with CenterLink across several projects over the past two years. The CenterLink staff are highly professional and responsive and eager to support the needs of LGBTQ centers across the US. They have also been eager to collaborate with our team of researchers and clinicians to advance LGBTQ young people's mental health. CenterLink's work is so central to the needs of LGBTQ people that we invited them to share their mission and experiences in a presentation at the Yale School of Public Health, which was highly received by the attendees.

I am a researcher and have worked with CenterLink on various projects over the last four years related to LGBTQ youth development and wellbeing. CenterLink is a fantastic non-profit with dedicated expert staff and leadership. They provide an invaluable service to LGBTQ centers and programs around the country, who themselves provide necessary space and programs for LGBTQ you and adults. CenterLink also helps centers develop and implement programs and practices that best meet the needs of LGBTQ people; a population with disproportionate health burdens and service barriers. Through their work and dedication, CenterLink plays a central role in helping address health inequities for this population in a way that is often unrecognized. In many ways, CetnerLink is doing the hard work that makes a difference in the operations of these centers and lives of LGBTQ people around the country.

CenterLink has been our guiding star in establishing The Source LGBT+ Center. From bylaws to sample policies and procedures, leadership development to national conferences, CenterLink has been a wonderful partner. Their team is always available for questions and support, and the relationships we have built nationwide are a result of CenterLink's thoughtful stewardship.

Brian Poth, Executive Director, The Source LGBT+ Center

As a new executive director of an organization that serves the LGBTQ+ community, CenterLink has been an invaluable resource. The programs they provide offer resources that help us to build healthy and vibrant organizations. And they facilitate connections between professionals that become a meaningful source of knowledge, experience, and camaraderie. I am so grateful for CenterLink.

Denise, Julia, and the whole CenterLink team has been phenomenal to work with! I've had the pleasure to engage with CenterLink in various capacities from redeveloping the PGH Equality Center's mission, vision, and values to Board Member and Board Chair Bootcamps. Denise and her team is there with you every step of the way, providing strategic leadership/coaching, as well as individualizing their approaches to meet each individual and/or organization's need from a strengths-based approach.

CenterLink, has been an integral part with helping our organization move forward in our work towards leading the LGBTQ+ community in Alaska. From flying in to lead board training's to assistance with referrals and navigating the current world dynamics of nonprofit organization. CenterLink and specifically Denise, has been a very welcome gift to Identity.

CenterLink managed our recruitment process for our ED and were fantastic partners throughout! They were knowledgeable, professional, and thorough. They helped us shape a process that fit our Center, and provided really helpful feedback during the process.

They also provide invaluable resources and best practices for our Center year round through their website and annual conference.

CenterLink has offered us expert assistance in our process of both examining our mission and vision, and also in encouraging our Board of Directors to become a stronger working unit. They are just a phone call away and offer personal assistance and a great variety of resources on line.

CenterLink has been an invaluable source of resources. Their CEO, Denise, has helped our center align on best practices and facilitated a meeting with our board to align on a new mission and vision that we've been trying to accomplish for over a year - and she did it in about 3 hours! Really great resource for the LGBTQIA+ community.

CenterLink was extremely helpful with assisting our organization with our strategic planning process. CenterLink has been incredibly supportive and incredibly responsive when we have had questions or concerns

CenterLink is an invaluable resource to LGBT Centers in the United States and beyond. Even before the Covid-19 crisis CenterLink helped Centers to network, shared resources, advocated and provided a safe space for LGBTQ+ community leaders. This year they have been even more vital - immediately setting up calls for information, gathering clear data about how LGBTQ+ communities were being affected, and providing weekly calls and daily emails on such timely topics as how to convert our youth support groups to online and keep them safe spaces. CenterLink's work is crucial to our success as an LGBT Center and they are truly a Great Nonprofit

CenterLink has been an invaluable community for me and my organization. This is my first executive position, and it's at an organization where there was a lot to heal, and a number of ways to encourage growth. I know that I would not have been as successful without the support, resources, community, and funding provided by CenterLink. If you're an LGBTQ+ center, joining CenterLink is an amazing gift to give to you and your staff.

Center Link is fabulous!!!! Such a great resource for friend for LGBT Centers all around the country.

CenterLink always go above and beyond to help others and is a guiding voice many follow in times of uncertainty. Thank you CenterLink for leading us into a better tomorrow!

This is an excellent cooperative organization that really supports LGBT Community Centers all over the country

As someone working at a local LGBTQ community center, I can share that CenterLink provides critical information and resources to centers across the country to help build their capacity. CenterLink plays a very valuable role in coordinating efforts to effectively support and empower LGBTQ communities nationwide.

CenterLink has been a wonderful resource for my organization, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center in Allentown, PA. Their leadership and mentorship has been incredible. Thank you, CenterLink!

Centerlink provides valuable support to LGBT centers across the country!

CenterLink is an incredible resource for LGBTQ2S Centres across North America. As a community centre in Saskatoon, SK, Canada, membership in CenterLink has been invaluable. It has provided leadership support, guidance in the areas of fundraising and strategic planning, and most importantly, it has linked us with other LGBTQ2S Centres in Canada! CenerLink's staff go above and beyond, building one-on-one relationships with organizations and their EDs and working to ensure that even the smallest centers have the resources and support that they need.

Centerlink is an incredible support resource for LGBTQ organizations big and small throughout the US and Canada. They are providing best practices, shared resources, training and support for the many centers serving the community. They are able to disseminate tools and resources from large centers to help small centers to grow. They are available to answer questions, trouble shoot and provide boards and staff with the resources to thrive.

CenterLink is the leader in supporting LGBTQ community center across the country. They have the resources and knowledge that meets the needs of any size community center. Their expertise range from program design and outcomes, CEO coaching, Board best practices and so much more.

The Diversity Center, where I am the executive director, is a long-time member of Centerlink. I give them my highest recommendation because they are an incredible resource for LGBT Centers around the country. I value them as effective conveners and experts in leadership, LGBTQ+ Community building, organizational development, and as valued thinking partners. Centerlink has been instrumental in growing the leadership of the LGBTQ+ movement.

CenterLink is an amazing resource and network for the many LGBTQ+ community centers throughout the country. CenterLink has gathered best practices, offers sample documents for center operations and board governance, and is tackling advocacy at a national level with resources to assist centdrs with local community advocacy.

I utilize CenterLink often to help connect with other LGBTQ Centers to learn about their programs and services, gain new insight into best and emerging practices, and provide other Centers with knowledge I have gained over the years. CenterLink is a vital resources for our community!

I have been connected with Centerlink since I started my Youth and Outreach position with my center in February 2019. Working for a small, but growing nonprofit as the only person in my position/field comes with its challenges. However being connected with Centerlink- and specifically Youthlink has changed the game for me. Being able to be so readily connected with my peers who are having similar experiences and facing the same struggles has helped me find resources, be connected and be affirmed in a way I absolutely wasn't expecting.

Deborah Levine who is currently the director of Youthlink has also worked with me 1-on-1 in free coaching sessions once a month. I was blown away at the offer to have someone with her experience help me settle into my position in a different way, than what my supervisor and coworkers have been able to provide.

This extra support has proven to be extremely valuable. I have been given feedback that has allowed me to push and expand the limits of my skill-set and help me brainstorm how to achieve what I want to in my position, as well as better shape my big picture dreams for moving forward. My supervisor has commented on how I always seem to come out of my sessions realigned and more invigorated for my work and its true! I cannot sing the praises to Youthlink and Centerlink loud enough. Thank you!

Centerlink has been crucial in my work at an LGBTQ youth center. As the sole staff member in our space for several years, it can often feel like I don't always have the support that I need. Deborah has devoted her time to a monthly video session to support any needs that I have when it comes to working with LGBTQ youth. The technical assistance and support offered by CenterLink/YouthLink has supported me through some difficult challenges.

The connections that I have been able to make with other LGBTQ centers across the US, as a result of being a CenterLink member, have been invaluable. The listservs and resources that are accessed when you are a member of CenterLink have been immensely helpful.

Thanks to CenterLink for all of the supportive resources and TA provided. The staff is comprised of dedicated, passionate individuals and I look forward to continued work with CenterLink.

Deborah at Centerlink has been a guiding light for our agency as we expand our youth program. She was able to offer advice, as well as tons of resources, making the process way less overwhelming. We were able to expand our program, the age limit and gear activities towards different groups of youth depending on their needs. I know that whenever I need help, I can drop Deborah an e-mail and she will be there to help.

I serve as the Programs Director for an LGBTQ youth center in the south. Working in a field where you can feel like you are alone doing the work, having a resource like CenterLink has been incredible!

CenterLink resources have helped me stay connected with other folks across the country doing similar work, find new program ideas and stay on top of current trends in the field.

In addition to their incredible resources, their team is absolutely top-notch. Working with their youth engagement staff has been phenomenal and has allowed our Center to be a part of piloting programs that will have a huge impact for other LGBTQ youth who can not access spaces like ours.

If you are a non-profit, or group, working with LGBTQ communities, then CenterLink is a vital resource to support your work!

I know what your thinking..another membership and dues to put in the budget? Yes, if you are an organization, national or local, that provides services to the LGBTQ Community, Centerlink is worth it! More than just emails and newsletters, more than an annual conference —-a supportive organization meant just for us Executive Directors, CEOs and Board members; CenterLink is a true network of visionaries and advocates that work with you, not against you. When I first became Executive Director, the first call I made was to CenterLink and then the support just came flooding in. This work is not for the faint of heart-creating safe spaces for others leaves little room for further cultivation, empowerment and education of those individuals who need it the most. Whether you are a staff of one, or a staff of one hundred, a newbie or a veteran, you have a skill and a story that’s worth sharing and deserve to invest in yourself. Our organizations and our communities are stronger together through CenterLink.

CenterLink has been a great asset to us at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center for many years. Most recently, they provided valuable assistance in helping us hire a new Executive Director. In addition to providing information and resources, they were more than willing to jump on the phone and talk over issues with our search committee chair. Finally, they are staffed with great, fun people that you actually want to talk to and spend time with when you have the opportunity to meet.

CenterLink is a really important organization. It helps all of the LGBTQ+ community centers around the county stay connected, get information, and work together. The workshops and trainings offered are vital to our organizations and provide much needed information and support. What is really wonderful is the staff of CenterLink., They are dedicated and extremely supportive of organizations ; always providing time for calls, helping information, general advice. This organization serves as a mothership to connect all of the community centers across the country. I really enjoy being a member of CenterLink and support all of the work they do.

CenterLink is a wonderful organization supporting LGBTQ community centers and staff across the United States (and really worldwide!). They provide invaluable technical assistance and coaching, as well as ongoing leadership development and training for folks starting a center all the way to folks who have been operating large centers for decades. They welcomed me to their offices for a full day of technical assistance, and helped me get started and get my footing in a large and daunting process.

Love CenterLink and the great work that they do!!!

My first experience with Centerlink was as an attendee/participant of the ED Leadership Bootcamp. It was invaluable. There are numerous resources and Lora, Denise and Julia are wonderful.

CenterLink is an invaluable resource for the LGBTQ+ community. Not only does it connect and support all of the amazing community centers across the country to each other and help us work better together and learn from each other, but also offers trainings, resources, and even grants to ensure that our LGBTQ+ nonprofit sector is strong and addressing the needs of our community. Can't imagine doing LGBTQ+ community organizing without CenterLink.

CenterLink has been a phenomenal resource. They have created wonderful learning opportunities for our executive director and board leaders. Through engagement with CenterLink we have built our fundraising, financial management, and risk management capacities. CenterLInk members are quick to share resources and best practices as well as support one another.

We have attended the leadership summit, participated in executive director boot camp, used their expertise to conduct a community needs assessment, and had them facilitate our centre's strategic plan, TWICE!

CenterLink staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and collaborative.

Centerlink was an invaluable resource when we were preparing to conduct an executive search. The examples they provided of job descriptions, interview questionnaires and other tools gave us a huge running start. Although we were not hiring CenterLink to actually conduct the search, the organization could not have been more supportive of our board members and other volunteers who carried out the process.

As a new Executive Director of an LGBTQ+ youth center, the resources, support, and expertise of CenterLink are all invaluable. In managing my leadership transition and needing to ramp up as quickly as possible to do the critical work, I can not thank Lora, Denise, Julia and the entire staff enough. Take advantage of all they do!! Trainings (ED Bootcamp, Leadership Summit), the online resources, providing consultants, and the personal attention if you just need help - all ah-mazing!

CenterLink provided an awesome planning retreat for my organization. My Board walked away with a greater understanding of their roles and responsibilities and I walked away with a realistic short term strategic plan.

I was lucky and happy to attend CenterLink's 2018 Executive Director Boot Camp earlier this year. Throughout four days of intense training, I created deep connections with other ED's of LGBTQ Centers from around the U.S., and came away with a whole notebook full of ideas and brilliant statements made during the training.

Denise, Lora, and everyone at CenterLink were wonderfully warm, welcoming, and willing to share their decades of experience and expertise with those of us newer to the field. The work of CenterLink is critical for our LGBTQ movement.

CenterLink is an amazing organization providing much need services unlike anyone else in the field. We truely wouldn’t be where we are today without their ongoing commitment to our community and support. Youth OUTright WNC will be forever grateful to the staff at CenterLink for all they do!

I had the privilege of beginning my career as an LGBT community center executive. I attended CenterLink's ED Boot Camp which has proved invaluable. The team at CenterLink are a wealth of knowledge. I look forward to a continued partnership. GW, LGBT Center, Orlando

We are so glad that we contacted CenterLink when our Pride Center was looking for a consultant to help with our strategic planning retreat. It was fantastic to work with someone who was experienced in what we do and who had a frame of reference for what was happening at other Pride Centers. CenterLink was able to provide us with two days of consulting for less than others would have charged us for one. The investment was well worth it and helped our organization carve out priorities and make a usable plan for advancing our organization to the next level.

CenterLink has been a wonderful resource for me personally as a new executive director and for our organization. Their leadership and mentorship has been transformative. Thank you, CenterLink!

Robert Salcido
Pride Center San Antonio

Thank you for leveraging your knowledge and for helping new executive directors gain much needed skills :)

I absolutely love working with CenterLink. While working at the Movement Advancement Project (MAP), I've had the opportunity to work with the CenterLink team on a number of research reports and they always prove to be thoughtful, hard-working, and gracious research partners. I especially love presenting at the annual CenterLink Leadership Summit - by bringing together the leaders of LGBT centers from across the country, they create a powerful, dynamic energy in the room and it is inspiring to be around so many passionate people in the LGBT movement.

I have been collaborating with CenterLink on a project for almost a year now and have found them to be super helpful, extremely collaborative, easy to work with, and most importantly, keep the big goals front and center - helping LGBT centers help the LGBT community!

HealthLink at CenterLink advanced best and promising practices in tobacco control for LGBTQ individuals in my state by providing technical assistance, on-site cultural competency trainings for hospital systems, and resources for our state Department of Health and Senior Services to disseminate to LPHAs. The team at HealthLink is easy to reach and has great expertise in this area. With the help of HealthLink our midwest state is now taking on tobacco and cancer disparities among LGBTQ citizens.

As Board President of an LGBT, I can attest to what an outstanding resource CenterLink is. Our Executive Director and Board members rely on CenterLink as a source of information on current LGBT topics and legislation. The network of centers is enormously helpful as we try to benchmark our own organization to others. Terry Stone, CEO, led a strategic planning workshop for our Board and did a fabulous job. His leadership and direction kept our Board members focused and ultimately resulted in a plan that our center can use to implement tangible improvements over the next three years.

I was fortunate enough to participate in CenterLink's ED Bootcamp recently and was blown away by the resources, support, and expertise offered by this organization. They provide a very needed and wanted service to LGBTQ+ centers across the country. Their resources are thoroughly vetted and based in best practices and are made easily accessible to utilize by the membership. I highly recommend CenterLink to my friends and colleagues doing LGBTQ+ work across the US.

Centerlink has provided us with vital advice on our strategic development and financial planning. I would recommend them to all LGBTQ+ organizations that need guidance to meet our community needs.

As the director of a Centerlink member organization, I have benefited so strongly from the programs, services, and technical assistance that Centerlink provides to LGBT community centers. They have been a tremendous resource, which is why I'm proud that my organization is a Centerlink member.

Centerlink is an incredibly supportive organization that is the unsung hero of the LGBTQ social service movement. Countless community centers around the world owe so much to this organization for their generous guidance, resources, and assistance. I speak for myself and my organization, Triangle Community Center, when I say THANK YOU CENTERLINK!

They facilitated our strategic planning. Great job by Terry Stone.

Of all the national organizations that I have dealt with, during decades of working in the non-profit sector, none have achieved the capacity to provide assistance and support as well as CenterLink. We have not had to reinvent any wheels, since any question asked gets timely and generous responses from Centers around the United States. And that is in addition to the resources, encouragement, expertise and support that is always forthcoming from CenterLink staff. My community, Rockland County, NY, is very grateful.

we have been trying to get a Center going in the small state of RI for a while now and it is a major concern of ours to collaborate with like minded groups throughout our tiny state, and most of all, not reinvent the wheel. Centerlink is coming through with help that we would not even know to ask for! We cannot wait to participate in the conference in the Fall and learn how to be more involved members .

Pride Center RI

CenterLink is the best! As a small but rapidly growing Center in Indiana, this community has been absolutely crucial. I am excited to attend and learn from the annual conference and continue to connect with the online community. A must for all LGBTQ centers, as well as anyone doing work with these underserved populations. Thank you CenterLink for all you do!

The technical assistance in the form of governance training is exceptional. Our board left better informed and more engaged as a result.

When I first became the executive director of the Kalamazoo Gay Lesbian Resource Center, it was CenterLink that came to my aid. CenterLink provided me with valuable resources, connections, support that helped me grow into a stronger and more capable leader. The entire CenterLink team goes above and beyond to keep local LGBT centers connected to one another while helping to build up the leaders of those local centers. CenterLink has strengthened the LGBT movement.

CenterLink provides LGBT community centers across the country with technical assistance in the form of leadership development, fundraising training, strategic planning and feasibility studies. By increasing the capacity of centers, CenterLink is building healthy and vibrant communities. The staff is passionate about the organization's mission and expert in their respective areas of responsibility. I am proud to serve on the Board of Directors and contribute to the impact of this vital organization.

The premier association for lgbt centers. The team goes above and beyond to help support local lgbt centers nationwide. Also, as a board member, this is one of the strongest, cohesive and dedicated group of boardmembers I have seen in a long time. Strong board = strong organization. Thanks CENTERLINK!

Centerlink is a valuable resource to all of the LGBT Centers that exist. Individually we would all be on our own without any avenue to easily communicate and share best practices with each other. Having been in the corporate world for 20+ years I look at Centerlink to fill that role for me. Their staff are very knowledgeable and provide much needed support to existing and newer Centers and staff. I am proud to have been associated with this organization over the past 8 years and recently join their Board of Directors.

If I could give them 6 stars I would! The staff is incredible. The services and support they provide to LGBT organizations is instrumental in assisting leadership to best serve their respective communities. I couldn't do it without them.

Our facilitator, Terry Stone, was exemplary and his delivery of approaching what our organization brought him in to complete for us. I am the chairman of the board for NGPA.

A little over two years ago, I became the Executive Director of a small LGBTQ youth non-profit. I had very little experience specific to running the center. Centerlink was a life saver! The staff have always been there to give me the most professional and high quality support and advice; all with a smile and a great sense of humor.

Dining Out For Life International Association worked with CenterLink for its two-day strategic planning meeting. Thanks to CenterLink, the Association was able to refine and define its mission statement, evaluate its capacity to serve, and establish a solid three-year strategic plan.

Working with the team from CenterLink was outstanding, from start to finish. The CenterLink team was efficient, professional, and personable in each and every communication, and each team member went out of her or his way to answer questions, address concerns, and provide effective guidance.

The strategic planning session itself, led by Terry Stone, was thoroughly enjoyable - not something that is often said of such planning meetings! Mr. Stone kept the group on task and on target, allowing just enough conversational meandering while keeping those in attendance focused on the task at hand. He actively and effectively engaged each member of the group throughout the process - both before, during, and after the meeting.

A truly outstanding experience, and one that has made an immediate impact on our organization!

Terry Stone, the Executive Director, has provided me with mentorship, which has involved deep conversations about my future, my skills, and what I need to succeed as an LGBT leader. In general, I know that CenterLink is well-regarded by its member organizations, and helped install the fabulous interim Executive Director of my own local LGBT center (in Brooklyn). CenterLink is fabulous.

Terry Stone, Executive Director of Centerlink, was recommended to us as an expert in LGBT centers. We tapped into Terry's knowledge by inviting him to lead two days of strategic planning with our executive board. With his guidance, we were able to generate a plan to transform our organization. Since that planning meeting, Terry and Centerlink have continue to be a resource to us, helping us in crafting a new job role for our organization, advertising for the position, and reaching out to high potential candidates. Centerlink and Terry Stone enabled us to more quickly achieve our outcomes through the provision of expertise and support.

Centerlink has provided us with vital advice on our strategic plan and Executive Director search. And their services are reasonably priced. I would recommend them to organizations that need advice and guidance for strategic planning and human resource management.

CenterLink has provided critical thought leadership to my organization and its board. Their collective expertise has made them invaluable to our organization and continued success.

CenterLink is an excellent non-profit offering relevant and tailored technical assistance and community development services targeted for LGBT centers. CenterLink recently delivered a Board development training for my non-profit, an LGBT center. The CenterLink Executive Director, Terry Stone, conducted the high-quality training, which was concise, simple, and helped our Board advance its agenda; Terry was excellent and helped to facilitate the entire day-long training that also included other presenters. Terry listened and deftly facilitated conversations among Board members that were tense and critical, helping the group gain resolve on a range of issues, and move forward. CenterLink served as a great partner. I highly recommend other LGBT centers, as well as other LGBT organizations, to consider CenterLink for their Board development and other organizational development and capacity needs. Thanks, CenterLink!

I wanted to say that I am very satisfied with Centerlink’s efforts to meet participating agency needs. I created a login with My CenterLink to expand my knowledge and seek program improvements for LGBTQ-focused Domestic Violence Services at my agency. After browsing My Centerlink’s databases, it became evident that their databases did not have the information on the topic I was seeking. I contacted My CenterLink for guidance, and I began receiving personal emails of “hot off the press” information that was relevant to my topic of interest. This email was created to memorialize my gratitude for Denise and her teams diligence in supporting participating agencies needs.

CenterLink is an incredibly valuable resource for LGBTQ centres - we're proud to be a member!

Centerlink is an amazing support mechanism to our organization. Their peer support networking, individual support and leadership summits have provided profound developmental support to our small rural organization.

As a first-time executive director at a young nonprofit, CenterLink's assistance has been astounding. Its services are comprehensive and its staff helpful.

CenterLink has truly been an inspirational partner to the LGBT Technology Partnership & Institute. By lending a voice to research, making connections to LGBT Centers or providing knowledge experts for panels, CenterLink has always been willing to step up and collaborate. I wish more nonprofit organizations had a similar approach to partnering. If you need help, CenterLink is the resource to turn to.

CenterLink has been a true blessing for many of our LGBT Centers. Not only it creates networking opportunities but it truly educates and improves the quality of the service we provide and helps the overall idea of what a LGBT Center should be about. Thank you! Our little Center that could has already benefited from everything you provide and we continue to grow.

As a new Executive Director of a small and struggling rural LGBTQ Center, I needed a great deal of help to get my organization moving in the right direction. CenterLink was there for me every step of the way. Not only did their knowledgeable and accessible staff provide expert technical assistance, they also connected me with others in my field who readily offered help. From access to important decision makers in our field to free or low cost professional development opportunities, CenterLink provides it all. Everything they do is productive and designed to help build strong Centers to serve some of the most vulnerable populations in the country.

As a board member with the DC Center, I have found the entire staff of Center Link to be incredibly accommodating, resourceful, knowledgeable, timely, and ultimately inspirational for our local work.

QMUNITY, BC's Queer Resource Centre has benefitted enormously from the expertise and the network offered by Centerlink! They bring together experts in the field to address a range of topics that help strengthen not only the LGBTQ movement, but the social profit sector as a whole. We are incredibly grateful to be a member of this critical organization.

The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach is so thankful for CenterLink and the support they provide our staff and board. The resources, trainings, workshops, and networking opportunities have helped us move through a very difficult time into success and prosperity for our community. We have learned so much from CenterLink and are thankful for everything they do for LGBTQ centers!

Terry Stone recently facilitated a workshop for our board of the Center OC, in Orange County CA. As a new board member, I felt the curriculum was invaluable. Terry’s relaxed yet knowledgable presentation style put me at ease, and the content educated me on exactly what my role will be. The exercises helped me engage with others and added a sense of transparency to the whole evening.

In 2005 when Oklahomans for Equality purchased and opened a permanent home for the LGBT community in northeast Oklahoma, CenterLink was there to teach us how to live into our new space and develop strategies and best practices to help us keep our center sustainable. They knew the excitement of opening a new place would eventually diminish and the hard reality of maintaining our facilities and engaging donors and serving our constituency would set in. Terry Stone was right there to help us navigate gay community center adolescents and young adulthood. He is like a father to our movement.

There is simply no way we could adequately serve the LGBT community in our state without the incredible resources of CenterLink. The resources they provide directly and indirectly are invaluable to our work. The connectedness CenterLink provides to LGBT community centers increases our capacity, our level of expertise, and our ability to achieve goals and objectives related to equality. The return on investment of membership is inestimable.

LGBT community centers vary wildly in size and budget. The brilliance of CenterLink lies is their ability to work with all centers, sharing resources and skills. They are particularly adept at working with Boards of Directors and E.D's.

CenterLink provided invaluable assistance to our organization in effecting a merger with another organization, something that had eluded us for years and will create stronger and more effective statewide voice for our LGBT citizens. As a Board member of one of the organizations and a member of the merger team, I had the benefit of working closely with Terry Stone, CenterLink's Executive Director, who guided us skillfully through an arduous process, with patience and great humor.

CenterLink is a vital organization working to build strong community centers serving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people across our country. Under Terry Stone's exemplary leadership, CenterLInk is a strategic and critical component to a robust network of LGBT community centers. I worked with Terry and his team recently when he facilitated a merger between my organization and a partner organization. His skilled facilitation, open and transparent communication and commitment to our shared success was the key to our ability to unite two organizations in an extremely positive process.

Pridelines Youth Services is South Florida's oldest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth multi-service agency. Our organization is experiencing major growth and needs a more active board. We reached out to CenterLink to help us train our board members and work alongside us to keep our board focused and working more effectively. The training and resources that were provided by CenterLink were extremely helpful.

CenterLink has been an invaluable resource to our company as we have worked to create a community-based model to implement the new .gay domain for the Internet. Their knowledge, experience, enthusiasm and commitment to the community are second to none, and their guidance and input has helped us to ensure that the voice of the community is heard and respected in our process to develop a plan for .gay.

The entire team at CenterLink goes above and beyond 365 days a year. This is a team that stays ahead of the issues and remains laser focused on their constituents. We have benefited from their engagement and look forward to an ongoing partnership.

Centerlink has been the best resource so far in my role as an LGBT Community Center Executive Director. They are smart, intentional and strategic with their programming, retreats, education and support. Our greater LGBT community is better of because Centerlink exists.

CenterLink has been instrumental in many ways to our organization in helping establish greater levels of best practices, procedures, and performance. It is a wonderful resource, the staff vastly knowledgeable and ready to help, and of great service at facilitating the sharing of information throughout its membership. Further, CenterLink works on professional growth of those who come to its annual meetings, or takes advantage of its webinars. "A+" in my book!

Centerlink is the glue that holds all of the LGBT Centers across the globe together. Centerlink provides resources, support and training that enables each center to do the best possible job for the LGBT community. I am a proud board member and advocate for the value of Centerlink.

CenterLink is an invaluable resource for LGBT community centers! It has supported our Center by connecting us to peers from across the broader LGBT movement, aiding in staff development through its annual Leadership Summit and Executive Director Boot Camp programs, and board support through strategic planning and various kinds of resource sharing. There is no other similar resource providing the breadth and depth of support to LGBT centers.

The resources available through CenterLink have been invaluable to our LGBT center. Professionally, I have benefitted from the network of dedicated and talented leaders from other centers, as well as the presentations at the annual Summit. I just attended my fourth Summit, and came back home charged up!

I recently attended (for the 4th time) the annual CenterLink leadership conference, held this year in Long Island. I was once again SO impressed with the thoughtful and thought-provoking content of the conference. But more important is the impact that this organization has on small LGBT organizations, often struggling to support their communities. With CenterLink they have a place to turn for advice, support and mentoring. We ALL benefit from their outreach. CenterLink is one of the reasons we have been able to accomplish so much in our effort to achieve equality. Thank You to Terry Stone and his wonderful organization!

Not only am I a proud Board Member of Centerlink, but as the Executive Director of an LGBT community center I can say that this organizations has greatly benefited us. From the leadership Conference to the fine staff and Executive Director, Centerlink is a terrific resource and amazing network.

I have had the opportunity to work with Terry Stone and CenterLink in one of the most amazing processes I've been a part of. Terry facilitated the merger of two statewide LGBT organizations in Wisconsin. Initially it looked bleak, but we were able to overcome barriers with the help of Terry and the competence and concern of CenterLink.

I was so impressed with the organization, I have asked Terry to facilitate two board retreats for a local and national non-profit I am involved in. I highly recommend CenterLink and the work they do.

I was on the board of CenterLink in the 1990's and I returned 10 years ago because of how important I thought their work was. CenterLink is under the radar for many in our community, but it is a literal lifeline to LGBT Centers and their staff around the country and even in some places outside of the country. Collectively, LGBT Centers represent the largest part of the LGBT movement's infrastructure nationwide. The strength of these Centers has a direct correlation to the strength of local and thus the state and national LGBT movements. CenterLink is the ONLY organization that exists to both promote the development of new Centers and keep our existing Centers strong and healthy and growing--so they can better serve our communities. Through an impressive program of training, consulting, networking and technical assistance, CenterLink is helping LGBT community centers--from the smallest to the largest--to thrive. Even though I run the largest LGBT organization of any kind on the planet, I have greatly benefited from CenterLink's work. Plus, as a donor to CenterLInk, I'm incredibly impressed with the bang for the buck that I get. I see the results that CenterLink achieves and I've heard the testimonials. They're really doing a great job.

I am a board member at OutCentral, the LGBT Center in Nashville, TN and the assistance and support from CenterLink has been insurmountable! Words cannot express. The resources, information, and networking have been invaluable.

CenterLink has been an invaluable resource fin the development of new programs and services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. When we have had questions, they have connected us with other centers doing the work we would like to do, made recommendations for funding sources, and have assisted in developing infrastructure for newly developing initiatives - like our new National Mental Health Network. They always have high energy for new ideas and provide insightful ways for accomplishing our goals.

Centerlink is vital to the success of LGBT community centers across the country, and therefore impacts both individual's lives, and the entire LGBT community. It plays such a unique role in supporting Executive Directors, as well as building the foundations of LGBT community centers- we couldn't be as strong with out it!

Centerlink has been helpful when I need to bounce an idea off someone that I am not ready to share with my board or staff. They are a wonderful resource and put together a conference where I actually walk away with gained knowledge and friendships. I look forward to Richmond.

We work closely with CenterLink anytime we are looking to hire outside of our organization, and we have used their board training services as well. Q Center played host to the annual conference of LGBT center Executive Directors in 2010 and we feel that the work CenterLink does to keep us all from having to constantly reinvent the wheel is of great value. Thanks, CenterLink!

My membership with CenterLink has provided me with the most valuable support that a new Executive Director could hope for. The staff at CenterLInk is not only responsive; they help you to think broadly beyond the immediate issues and to strategies more comprehensive responses. They are also proactive in helping Center leaders with information, referrals, and networking opportunities that help to ensure the health, relevance, and vitality of our organizations. There is no comparable organization.

Yesterday afternoon I requested help designing our Executive Director's job description and evaluation process. Centerlink responded with numerous excellent examples within two hours of our request. That was in sufficient time to run copies of the documents for our meeting last night, enabling us to be highly effective.

I have only been the executive of a LGBT Community Center for a few months, but within that short period of time, CenterLink has been a valuable resource to me. The most help thus far has been when a member can email a question and the membership responds. Our center has been developing a needs assessment for several months. Sometime ago a member asked if other centers had assesments that could be viewed and several examples were emailed. This was a great help to us. Another aspect I really appreciate is the membership is affordable.

Over the past year CenterLink has been an invaluable asset in building our capacity as an organization. The ED Boot Camp and Leadership Summit are two of the most valuable trainings I have attended.

CenterLink is an invaluable resource for our LGBT needs. The Executive Directors Summit meetings are extremely informative. CenterLink’s leadership is fantastic and they provide timely and excellent feedback. Their network of members, responsiveness and supportiveness continues to strengthen the success of our community center. Thank you to CenterLink. It’s great to know you are here for us!

CenterLink has proven to be an organization that is critical to the LGBT center movement. In serving as a hub for centers around the world in providing resources and technical support, CenterLink provides a valuable level os support to these organizations and helps them operate more effectively and efficiently.

CenterLink is one of the most effective national LGBT focused organizations. For such a small staff and budget, the organization impacts thousands of people by supplying technical support and capacity assistance to LGBT community centers both in the U.S. and internationally. In cities large and small, the community centers are often the first point of resource for individuals seeking community. Many of these community centers are largely volunteer run and CenterLink offers expertise and training for staff and board members. Without this organization, many centers and their leaders would feel they face the world "alone" and their non-profit growing pains are unique. As a former Center E.D., this organization gave me a sense of comradery and the opportunity to rub shoulders with those far more experienced. I've been proud to serve on this organization's board of directors for the past five years.

Centerlink provides support and encouragement to centers around the country. They are a positive, knowledgeable and genuine source for the LGBT community. Their staff is passionate and supportive.

As Centers around the country work to find stable fundind and recognition, it's nice to know CenterLink is there to assist them. CenterLink works daily to insure LGBT center around the county are finding funding they need as well as the recognition for the services they provide and the work they do in their local community. Community Centers are the life blood of the LGBT movement and without CenterLink, I'm sure several of those Centers would not exist to support our community today!

CenterLink is a powerful grassroots resource for LGBT and ally advocates and supporters nationwide. The organization functions as a one-stop shop to locate and contact LGBT community centers across the U.S., get quick information on news and advocacy issues, and find volunteer and job opportunities. LGBT community centers are, for many people in the country, their primary connection to the LGBT community where they live, and CenterLink strengthens that bond by creating a support network and access portal to link individuals with the resources that they require. Executive director Terry Stone is a great leader who consistently demonstrates a willingness to go above and beyond what is needed to ensure that his membership and constituents are served and the organization's mission is constantly achieved.

CenterLink has done an amazing job at connecting LGBT community centers so that we can sahre best practices, fundraising tips, human resource resolutions, board development tips and more. The Executive Director Summit is the one conference that takes place each year that I would never miss. Being able to network with other ED's is invaulable to my professional development and personal sanity.

When I first signed on as an Executive Director of our Center, having a national group to contact for information, resources and support was absolutely crucial to the success of our Center and my role as director. The networking with other Centers and CenterLink has been invaluable to me and our organization. I applaud the great job they do and there leadership in the community center movement for social justice.

The LGBT community center "movement" is a sometimes forgotten community. CenterLink is our main, national organization that provides support and advice to the 100+ local LGBT organizations scattered all over the country. Sometimes we have paid staff, somtimes we are just volunteers raising enough money to pay the phone bill. We all provide resources and services to LGBT people . Thanks CenterLink