About
The Ali Forney Center (AFC) is a New York City nonprofit dedicated to LGBTQ+ and at-risk young people experiencing homelessness. Founded in 2002, it describes itself as the largest agency dedicated to LGBTQ+ and at-risk homeless youths in the country, assisting over 2,000 young people per year from its Midtown Manhattan headquarters at 307 West 38th Street.
Mission
AFC works to protect LGBTQ+ and at-risk young people from the harms of homelessness and to empower them with the tools needed to live independently.
History
Carl Siciliano founded the Ali Forney Center in 2002 in memory of Ali Forney, a gender-nonconforming youth who became homeless at age 13. Ali educated people they encountered about HIV prevention and safe sex and pressed the NYPD to investigate a series of murders of other homeless queer youth, before being murdered in December 1997 at age 22. AFC launched with just six beds in a church basement and has since grown into the country's largest agency serving homeless LGBTQ+ youth. Siciliano was named a White House Champion of Change by President Obama.
What they do
- 24-hour Drop-In Center in Midtown Manhattan, the entry point to AFC's services, serving over 70,000 meals annually.
- Housing: an Emergency Housing program that is many youths' first bed, plus a scattered-site transitional housing program.
- Health services: medical and mental health care delivered through an on-site clinic, provided with the Institute for Family Health through a subcontract with Care for the Homeless.
- Job readiness and education programs to prepare young people for independent living.
- A Technical Assistance Program that helps other organizations launch or enhance services for LGBTQ+ homeless youth.
Scale and impact
AFC assists over 2,000 youths per year. The organization states that it operates at a very high efficiency rating, with nearly 85 percent of revenue directly benefiting clients.
Financials
According to ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, for the fiscal year ending December 2024 the Ali Forney Center reported total revenue of 29,485,367 dollars, total expenses of 27,183,672 dollars, and net assets of 10,172,252 dollars.
Governance
The Ali Forney Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 30-0104507) headquartered in New York, NY; its IRS tax-exemption ruling dates to 2002.
