Openhouse FY23-24 Impact Report
Expanding Beyond Our Four Walls
A warm welcome from
Kathleen M. Sullivan, Ph.D.
A community member recently shared with me that she often feels invisible when she goes shopping. Sometimes she is even treated like a child, instead of an adult. So many people in our community feel misunderstood or even completely unseen. Negative assumptions about aging are at the core of ageism, a pernicious belief that we become irrelevant or “less than” later in life.
Ageism can be compounded with past trauma, and can lead to feelings of sadness, fear, and isolation. These experiences often result in loneliness, a public health crisis for older adults in the United States, and even more so for members of our community that contend with racism, sexism, transphobia and homophobia. Getting older can be a frightening and lonely time for LGBTQ+ older adults.
That is why Openhouse exists.
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We offer an oasis for LGBTQ+ people age 50 and older in San Francisco. We listen to our community members and continue to grow our programs, services and trainings to meet their diverse needs with our community. Our Housing Navigation team now offers services in Spanish, and with more BIPOC specific programming we have increased the number of African American community members we serve. We launched a Culture of Care learning course that will train providers and create more accepting spaces for LGBTQ+ older adults in California and beyond.
As you will see on the next few pages, our team has done amazing work creating a loving community space at Openhouse. We have built strong cross-generational connections through our intergenerational art and friendly visitor programs, as well as our new case management position that serves transgender community members under 50. We established a statewide coalition that successfully connected with over 4,000 LGBTQ+ older adults and we are expanding the footprint of affordable housing that is welcoming and accepting to LGBTQ+ older adults.
In the coming year we are focused on sustainability, to secure the foundation that has supported our rapid growth and expand our Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) work. This includes hiring a new Director of JEDI, and expanding programs that meet the needs of an increasingly diverse community.
We are grateful to all the people who have helped us turn the idea of creating community for LGBTQ+ older people into a reality. We hope you’ll stop by for a visit or sign up for a lunch.
We would love to see you.
All my best,
Kathleen M. Sullivan, PhD
Openhouse Executive Director
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Dear Openhouse Community,
It has been such a wonderful experience serving as the Executive Director of Openhouse. I am so proud of the work we have done together to expand programming in order to better serve the LGBTQ community of people age 50 and older in San Francisco. The staff has doubled in size as has the budget and the 1939 Market Street building is an iconic building that will center the community for years to come.
I am moving on to two projects, one, working to develop a worker owned in-home care business that will support higher pay and advancement for the worker owners, and a Master Training working with older adults to help them remain independent in their community.
Thank you for all you have done and continue to do to push the envelope for better services, programs and care.
In deep appreciation,
Kathleen
Openhouse
Theory of Change
We believe that the work we do will result in a world where LGBTQ+ older adults in San Francisco are healthier, live with self-determination, have pride, and feel they belong.
We run programs that:
Support basic needs.
Reduce isolation and address mental and emotional health.
Our approach:
Create safe and welcoming spaces for LGBTQ+ older adults to be fiercely independent while surrounded by a community of care.
Advocate for the betterment of LGBTQ+ older adults beyond Openhouse.
WE SERVED 3,675 LGBTQ+ OLDER ADULTS IN FY 2023 - 2024!
How Openhouse
makes an impact our community
4,436
meals served at programs like Rainbow Lunch, Fall Feast, Trans Brunch, and many more.
7,151
hours of volunteer service were contributed by our amazing community of Openhouse volunteers
432
folks attended a 1:1 housing counseling session, offered in English and Spanish. A 58% increase over last year!
393
people participated in one of our many support groups. That’s 19% more than last year!
1,661
unique clients received resource and housing navigation to get access to life-saving services
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY AS A VOLUNTEER! Openhouse volunteers do everything: grocery deliveries (more than 44.5 tons per year!), errand runs, and program support.
Expanding to
answer the call
We continue to work with our partners towards opening a brand new housing development at 1939 Market Street, which will include 188 new units of affordable senior housing. This site will significantly expand housing availability and will allow us to increase our services as well.
The retail space at 1939 Market Street will be the new home of our mental health services. These programs, which are currently housed at our Laguna Street campus, have already connected more than 50 participants with a 10-week series of free counseling sessions.
We are very proud of how we answered the call from our community to provide low to no-cost psychotherapy for LGBTQ+ older adults so they can live healthier, fuller lives.
Many participants have noted that what makes our services more effective than previous treatments is the therapist’s understanding of the LGBTQ+ community. “The therapist understands the LGBTQ world, which enabled a much better bond than with other therapists I have had,” said one program participant.
This life-changing program played a large role in our receiving a $2 million grant from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving Open Call, our largest ever gift.
As we continue to expand our services to meet our community’s diverse needs, we are grateful for all the people who have stepped up to support our vital mission.
Thank you for helping us answer the call.
Mobilizing California for
LGBTQ+ older adults
Over the last year, Openhouse has led statewide efforts alongside the California Department of Aging, CITRIS Health and the Center for Advanced Study of Aging Services at the University of California, Berkeley, and University of California, San Francisco to launch the first statewide survey to study the health, wellbeing, and service needs of mid-life and older LGBTQ+ Californians. This project is part of the Master Plan for Aging, a ten year plan to create an age friendly, supportive, and equitable state. The survey was offered online in English, Spanish, Tagalog, and Chinese.
Openhouse spearheaded the grassroots effort, building a statewide coalition of 60+ stakeholder LGBTQ+ organizations, centers, health clinics, area aging agencies, and advocacy groups. Additionally, Openhouse built a diverse ten-member Advisory Committee, comprised of health experts, HIV advocates, leaders, service providers, and policymakers to provide crucial recommendations and insights to the research team in crafting a grounded and community-centering survey.
From January to March 2024, Survey of LGBTQIA+ Older Adults in California: From Challenges to Resilience received responses from 4,037 participants aged 55 and older throughout urban, suburban, and rural California. In the San Francisco Bay Area alone, 1,660 survey responses were documented, showing Openhouse’s mobilizing success and activation in the region.
A final survey report is expected later this year, so stay tuned for more information.
The community
that we serve
Openhouse’s community is as beautiful and diverse as the rainbow flag. These numbers can’t illustrate all of our community’s uniqueness, but it’s a helpful snapshot of who we are:
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Under 55: 7.2%
55-64: 15.8%
65-74: 44.4%
75-84: 27.5%
85-94: 4.7%
95-104: 0.4% -
African American / Black: 12.2%
American Indian: 1.4%
Asian / Pacific Islander: 9.4%
Caucasian / White: 61.3%
Latinx / Hispanic: 8.6%
Middle Eastern: 0.2%
Multiracial: 4.9%
Other: 2.0% -
Asexual: 0.4%
Bisexual: 10.3%
Gay: 53%
Lesbian: 15.7%
Queer: 0.8%
Pansexual: 0.4%
Unknown / Other: 19.4% -
Female: 31%
Male: 62%
Nonbinary: 1%
Trans female: 4%
Trans male: 2%
KEN AND STEVE, long-time Openhouse community members, get their groove on at our Senior Prom, an annual pride-season event that celebrates queer joy and dance in all its forms.
Supporting our community
when they need it the most
Our community members come to Openhouse for all different reasons, and from all different backgrounds.
Meet some of our community members and hear how we were there for them when they needed us the most.
High level view of
Openhouse finances
We’re serious about financial transparency.
That’s why Openhouse has a platinum transparency rating on GuideStar! Click here to view more information about Openhouse, including financials, employee demographics, and more.
*Note: financials are unaudited
Be an asset!
Openhouse’s critical work is only possible because of the generosity of supporters like you. Consider making a contribution today!
Recognizing our donors:
Openhouse Circle of Friends
All donors, no matter how much they give, are members of our Openhouse family. From $5 to $50,000, annual gifts make our work possible and the lives of LGBTQ+ seniors better. We especially thank members of our Circle of Friends who gave at least $1,000 during the year.
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‣ Robert Holgate
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‣ Anna Stern & Mary Renner
‣ Lesbians for Good of Horizons Foundation
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‣ Theo Koffler
‣ Mogan Foundation
‣ John Okuloski & Frank Duff
‣ Ken Prag & Steve Collins
‣ Anthony & Jeanne Pritzker Family Foundation -
‣ Dr. Marcy Adelman
‣ John “Jack” Bors
‣ Mark Buchanan & Shinya Kurebayashi
‣ J Deschamps-Braly
‣ Grace Huntley
‣ Michael Lieberman
‣ Shireen McSpadden
‣ Steve Vettel & Brian Banuelos -
‣ David Black
‣ Jay Cohen
‣ Chris Davidson
‣ Cheryl Deaner
‣ Maite Echaniz & Kim Cullen
‣ Vinny Eng
‣ Arthur Horowitz
‣ Theophilus Little
‣ Robert Ripps & Steven Spector
‣ William Scherer & Dean Palompo
‣ Howard Simons
‣ Dr. Kathleen Sullivan & Dr. Rebecca Levison -
‣ David Bell
‣ Rick Childress
‣ Marna Clark
‣ Ed Conley
‣ Pam David
‣ Bill Denebeim & Mark Vogel
‣ Matthew Dolan & Sandeep Bhadra
‣ Lynne Eggers
‣ Thomas Funkhouser
‣ Robert-Jay Green & Holden Lee
‣ Asher Hecht-Bernstein
‣ Evan Hirsch
‣ Rachel Kamen & Ariane Marcus
‣ Eileen Kunz
‣ John Leach
‣ Mark Leno
‣ Richard Lieberman & Mary Byrne
‣ Janet Linder & Elena Moser
‣ Chris Lowell & Stephen Spencer
‣ Kenneth Moore
‣ Regina & Melodie Myers Fund
‣ Betty & Clifford Nakamoto
‣ Morris Paterson
‣ Lynda Pham
‣ Suzanne Philion
‣ Gale Richards & Ruth Dawson
‣ Sue Rosser & Patricia H. Miller
‣ Bev Scott & Courtney
‣ Peter Scott
‣ Randall Shields
‣ Neil Sims & Tim Lucas
‣ Deb Stallings & Sharna Fey
‣ Anita Sullivan & Richard P. Sullivan
‣ Peter Tannen & David Strachan
‣ Dr. Tyler TerMeer
‣ Tina Toriello
‣ Jack Trux
‣ Stanley Watson & Manny Anes
‣ Skelly Wingard
‣ Sonni Zambino
OPENHOUSE COMMUNITY MEMBERS ATTEND QWOCMAP, the Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project. This year, Openhouse offered a “dinner and a movie” program, so that attendees could come together for a meal before viewing a film together.
Monthly Donors
Openhouse Rainbow Club
Openhouse’s monthly recurring donors, fondly called the Rainbow Club, are a dedicated group of individuals whose sustained giving efforts help make Openhouse’s programming a reality. Thank you, Rainbow Club members!
Joan Benoit-Clay
Richard Bolingbroke
Kimberly Bourque
Mary Gates
Alexis Gordon
Derek Gordon
Ruth Herring
Arthur Horowitz
Leon Kempers
Adrienne Martinez
Crisco McCullough
Henry Milich
Seanan Murphy
J O’Malley
Mindy Oppenheim
Philip Petit
Donald Simon
Bobbie Frederica Steinkraus
Farrell Swain
Jo Taban
Sylvia Vargas
Randall Whitehead
Goods and services:
Gifts in-kind
For their generous non-monetary contributions, Openhouse thanks: Ella Print, Epicurean, Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery, Golden State Warriors, New Conservatory Theatre Center, Opera Paralle, San Francisco Pride, SF Symphony, The Village Project, Transgender Cultural District, Verasphere, Wai Poc, and Zulu Nyala Safari.
Institutional Support
Foundations & Corporate
Foundation grants and corporate contributions account for almost 20% of our revenue, including our generous Annual Partners who sponsor activities and services throughout the year. Thank you to all of our partners who generously supported Openhouse in fiscal year 2023-2024!
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‣ Yield Giving Open Call
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‣ Gilead Sciences, Inc.
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‣ May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust
‣ University Mound Ladies Home -
‣ Metta Fund
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‣ JW and HM Goodman Family Charitable Foundation
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‣ Scherer, Smith & Kenny, LLP
Year-round support:
Annual Partner Program
Presenting Partner
Champion Partner
Supporting Partners
Ally Partners
Friend Partners
Community Partners
We routinely work with many incredible community partners. For their collaboration this year, Openhouse thanks: AIDS Legal Referral Panel, Alzheimer's Association, Art with Elders, BlackRock, Buffalo Exchange, CA Dept of Public Health, City and County of San Francisco, Community Thrift Store, Curry Senior Center, DADSF, Daniel Cooney Fine Art, EllaPrint, Eviction Defense Collaborative, Family Caregiver Alliance, Frameline, HomeownershipSF, Institute on Aging, Intercontinental Mark Hopkins, Juanita MORE!, Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly, LYRIC, Mercy Housing California, Opera Parallele, Parivar, QWOCMAP, SAGE, San Francisco AIDS Foundation, San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services, San Francisco Symphony, SF Campus for Jewish Living, SF Community Health Center, SF Giants, SF Marin Food Bank, Sean Dorsey Dance Company, Shanti Project, Spark Social SF, St James Infirmary, Sumin Ballet, Walgreens
Our Staff and Board
Thank you to our staff and board, without whom this work wouldn’t be possible:
Board: Board Co-Chair Mark Buchanan, Board Co-Chair Vinny Eng, Treasurer Steve Vettel, Secretary Michael Lieberman, Maite Echaniz, Grace Huntley, Rachel Kamen, Margaret Mak, Shireen McSpadden, Maritza Penagos, Oriol Pi Miloro, Ana Zamora, Luis Zamora, and Susan Zieff.
Staff: Dana Arango, Theresa Arocena, Taylor Boutelle, Fernanda Celarie, Lunae Chrysanta, Matthew Cimino, Joshua Cohen, Elizabeth Copp, Naomi Cruz, Faire Faircloth, Kass Fitzgerald, Robert Gardina, Lila Goehring, Ash Gomez, Aiden Goodwin, Annie Gwynne-Vaughan, Charity Horst, J Jha, Caroline Koorn, Lavinia Lakalaka, Alejandro Martinez, Mark Martinez, Isaiah Meade, Ariel Mellinger, saroj mitti, Nick Moore, Armando Paone, Carla Peña, Jupiter Peraza, Aisling Peterson, Jeff Racca, Charles Renfroe, Sarah Ron, José Santamaria, Carrie Schell, Andrew Shaffer, Rob Smith, Dani Soto, Julie Strobel, Kathleen Sullivan, David Varela, and Sylvia Vargas.
Several major programs servicing the community are funded by the City and County of San Francisco's Department of Disability and Aging Services.