LGBTQ+ community centers serve the community by providing grassroots organization and outreach, advocacy efforts, Pride events, crisis counseling and guidance, educational opportunities, and much more — all from a place focused on acceptance, safety, support, and community.
These community centers are more important than ever — but, like any nonprofit, they can’t keep their doors open without the right insurance coverage.
So, what do these LGBTQ+ nonprofits need most from their insurance?
We talked with several NIA-insured LGBTQ+ community centers, and they shared what matters most to them when it comes to their insurance coverage — and their insurance provider.
In their own words…
Pacific Center for Human Growth (Berkeley, CA)
“Founded in 1973, Pacific Center offers peer support and mental health services to LGBTQIA+ folks across the lifespan, in the East Bay Area of California.
Our mission is to enhance the mental health and overall well-being of LGBTQIA+ and QTBIPOC communities by providing culturally responsive, trauma-informed care to our community.
We provide mental health services, peer support services, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) and Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression (SOGIE) training (internally and external to the organization), and AIDS/HIV support and prevention services.”
— Lasara Firefox Allen, CEO, Pacific Center for Human Growth
Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center (Allentown, PA)
“Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center is not just a resource — we’re a lifeline. As the only LGBTQ+ Community Center in the Lehigh Valley, we provide a safe, affirming space where people connect, access services, and belong.
From groups and advocacy to health resources and events, we uplift and empower our LGBTQ+ siblings.
We provide affirming programming, outreach, and services to strengthen and support the region’s LGBTQ+ community.
Our community groups empower individuals coming together under a common identity or experience, such as our “A Space for Aces” or our “Bisexual, Pansexual, Queer Community Group.”
Our youth programming connects LGBTQ+ youth to health and social support and provides them with the tools to become leaders and their own advocates.
Our health programs address barriers to care, highlight the developing needs in our community, and promote health equity for all LGBTQ+ people! Some of the campaigns we focus on are tobacco prevention, breast cancer screenings, and HPV vaccinations.”
— Krista Brown-Ly, Interim Executive Director, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center
Pridelines Miami (Miami, FL)
“Pridelines is Miami’s LGBTQ+ community center, supporting youth, adults, and families with inclusive programs, health services, and safe spaces.
We empower through education, advocacy, and care — building a stronger, prouder, more connected community, one person at a time.
Pridelines provides affirming programs and services for LGBTQ+ youth, adults, and families — including mental health support, HIV testing and prevention, housing for youth in crisis, peer-led support groups, and community-building events.
We’re here to uplift, protect, and celebrate every person who walks through our doors.”
— Veronica Barrios-Garcia, Board Chair, Pridelines Miami
Qweerty Gamers (Los Angeles, CA)
“Qweerty Gamers is an LGBTQ+ nonprofit dedicated to empowering queer gamers, developers, and content creators.
We build community, increase LGBTQ+ representation in gaming, and create safer spaces through grants, events, and programs.
We offer grants for LGBTQ+ game developers, host community events and gaming mixers, run a content creator program, and create safe, inclusive spaces in gaming through education, advocacy, and partnerships.”
— Raymond Lancione, CEO & Founder, Qweerty Gamers
What did these LGBTQ+ community centers need most from their insurer?
Comprehensive coverage.
“We needed all the possible forms of insurance!”
— Lasara Firefox Allen, Pacific Center for Human Growth
Coverage for unique risks, events, and youth-related mission work.
“The most important need for Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center is comprehensive protection that aligns with the unique risks and services of a LGBTQ+ community center, which includes event insurance for our Pride festival that has 7,500 attendees, as well as coverage for abuse and molestation risks.
We work with youth and vulnerable populations, so this coverage is crucial for protecting the center in case of allegations of misconduct.”
— Krista Brown-Ly, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center
Comprehensive, inclusive coverage that understands unique risks.
“Our most important need was comprehensive, inclusive coverage that understands the unique risks and responsibilities of serving LGBTQ+ youth and adults.
We needed protection for our staff, volunteers, facilities, and community members — especially for programs involving housing, health services, and youth outreach.”
— Veronica Barrios-Garcia, Pridelines Miami
Insurance that lets us focus on our mission.
“We needed insurance that would let us focus on building safe, inclusive spaces without worrying about risks to our team, volunteers, or community events.”
— Raymond Lancione, Qweerty Gamers
How did these LGBTQ+ community centers hear about NIA?
Positive experiences from a prior position.
“I heard about NIA in my second executive director role, years ago. The organization I worked for was insured by NIA, and I was impressed by the array of services available.”
— Lasara Firefox Allen, Pacific Center for Human Growth
“I worked with NIA when I was at another nonprofit in California.”
— Krista Brown-Ly, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center
A longtime partnership.
“We’ve been with NIA for years.”
— Veronica Barrios-Garcia, Pridelines Miami
A search for an insurer that was the right fit.
“We were simply looking for the right fit for our nonprofit’s unique needs. A current volunteer found NIA while researching online.”
— Raymond Lancione, Qweerty Gamers
Since becoming NIA members, how has that relationship helped these LGBTQ+ community centers?
Quality insurance and access to added services.
“NIA offers an amazing array of services, and we’re grateful to work with them. They are the gold standard for nonprofit support and insurance needs.
We love the assortment of services available to us as NIA clients. We are working on transitioning our background checks to the NIA partner.”
— Lasara Firefox Allen, Pacific Center for Human Growth
An insurer that understands mission-driven work.
“Switching to NIA was a game-changer for our center. After struggling with poor customer service and inadequate coverage from our previous provider, NIA provided the support, expertise, and comprehensive protection we needed.
I love that NIA is a nonprofit itself and operates with a fair and equitable pricing model designed specifically for organizations like ours.
Unlike traditional insurance providers, NIA truly understands the unique challenges and financial realities nonprofits face. Their approach isn’t just about selling a policy — it’s about ensuring we have the right coverage without unnecessary costs.
They recognize the importance of mission-driven work and provide tailored solutions that many other providers simply don’t “get.”
I love the management emails and webinars! The webinars are particularly helpful because of the live aspect of them and the Q&A sessions.
This makes me feel more connected to NIA — and like I’m being supported by real people as opposed to generated responses or long wait times after asking for help. It genuinely makes us feel supported by NIA.
Further, the fact that past webinars are recorded is incredibly helpful, as it really allows us to have NIA meet us where we are at and fit to our schedule, allowing us to be the best nonprofit you can be.
With NIA, we feel valued, protected, and confident that our insurance is aligned with our purpose.
Their team has given us peace of mind so we can focus on serving our community. We highly recommend NIA to any nonprofit looking for reliable and responsive insurance coverage.”
— Krista Brown-Ly, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center
Solid coverage from a responsive team.
“They’re not just an insurance provider — they’re a partner who understands the heart and hustle of nonprofits like ours. Their coverage is solid, their team is responsive, and we finally feel like we’re not navigating risk alone. It’s real peace of mind.”
— Veronica Barrios-Garcia, Pridelines Miami
Quality coverage and peace of mind.
“We appreciate NIA’s understanding of nonprofit needs, their clear communication, and the peace of mind their coverage provides. It’s been reassuring to work with an organization that truly gets the nonprofit world.
Thanks to NIA, we can focus on empowering LGBTQ+ gamers, creators, and developers without worrying about the risks behind the scenes. Their support helps us build safer, more inclusive spaces in the gaming community.”
— Raymond Lancione, Qweerty Gamers
Nonprofit LGBTQ+ community centers deserve an insurance provider that’s an enthusiastic, reliable ally.
Why do nonprofit LGBTQ+ community centers get their insurance from NIA?
Easy: These nonprofits have a mission to help the LGBTQ+ community succeed and thrive — they want an insurance provider that serves the nonprofit community with the same level of dedication.
Just like LGBTQ+ community centers provide support and resources to the people that count on them, NIA strives to provide support and resources to the nonprofits that count on us.
With customizable coverage to fit specific missions, fair and equitable prices, additional resources, and quality customer support, LGBTQ+ community centers can get the peace of mind they need — enabling them to focus on their mission.
