Senior (65+) Non-Profit Organizations in North Carolina

Founded in 2008 as the Frank Harr Foundation in honor of a lifelong advocate for cultural diversity and social justice, the LGBTQ Center of the Cape Fear Coast has evolved into a vital community resource serving Wilmington, NC and southeastern North Carolina. The organization was established by Ken Cox in memory of Frank Harr, his partner of 32 years, to continue Frank's passionate work addressing violence, social justice, and human rights education. In 2021, the Foundation rebranded as the LGBTQ Center of the Cape Fear Coast to increase visibility and accessibility for those seeking support. Today, the Center's mission centers on serving LGBTQ elders, youth, and everyone in between through advocacy, education, and community building. The organization responds to calls from lonely LGBTQ elders seeking connection, welcomes parents desperate to find safe spaces where their children can experience love and acceptance, and hosts volunteers and facilitators who create welcoming environments across Wilmington. With deep roots in the Cape Fear community, the Center remains committed to the values Frank Harr embodied: compassion, humanitarian service, and unwavering commitment to equality for all people. The Center operates as a Centerlink member, connecting with an international network of LGBTQ organizations dedicated to strengthening communities and supporting local LGBTQ centers nationwide.

Based in Greensboro, North Carolina, Guilford Green Foundation & LGBTQ Center embodies a vision of community unity where everyone is accepted and valued for who they are. The organization courageously works to advance LGBTQ persons and issues by uniting neighbors, strengthening relationships, and fostering a greater understanding across all residents of the Greensboro community. What sets Guilford Green Foundation apart is its holistic commitment to the intrinsic dignity and rights of every individual, recognizing that safety, health, respect, and inclusion matter at every stage of life. From supporting young people questioning their identity to ensuring elderly community members have access to services that recognize their partners and relationships, the foundation's work spans the full spectrum of LGBTQ experiences. The organization serves as a bridge between those seeking support and the resources that can help them thrive, while simultaneously building the capacity of nonprofit organizations working toward shared goals of equality and inclusion. Through strategic partnerships, community programming, and philanthropic support, Guilford Green Foundation cultivates a thriving Guilford County region where LGBTQ individuals feel genuinely welcomed and supported. The foundation's mission reflects a belief that community strength grows when all voices are heard, all identities are respected, and all people have access to the services and connections they need to flourish.

Blue Ridge Pride Center emerged from a community vision in 2009 when local leaders recognized the need for a grassroots organization dedicated to serving the diverse LGBTQ communities of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Asheville, North Carolina. What began with their first Pride Festival in 2009, which drew approximately 2,000 people to Martin Luther King Jr. Park on a rainy day, has grown into a thriving nonprofit with significant community impact and organizational capacity. The organization is rooted in frameworks of Queer Liberation and Queer Joy—dismantling oppressive systems while celebrating the authentic experiences and collective care that define vibrant community life. Blue Ridge Pride has intentionally expanded since 2018 to serve a broader geographical scope and diverse population, growing their 2023 Pride Festival to 14,000 attendees while building partnerships with corporations, churches, hospitals, nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and government officials. In 2024, the organization significantly expanded its Board of Directors and hired dedicated full-time and part-time staff to increase impact and internal capacity. The center envisions a vibrant, inclusive community where all LGBTQIA2S individuals in western North Carolina experience belonging and live with dignity, equity, hope, and joy. By fostering an informed, engaged, and supportive community through intersectional belonging and liberation work, Blue Ridge Pride Center continues building the connective tissue that enables this diverse and far-flung community to thrive together.

Since 1979, the Triangle Area Chinese American Society (TACAS) has served as a cornerstone cultural organization for Cary, NC and the broader Triangle region, building bridges between Chinese-American communities and the wider local population. Founded as a non-political, non-profit entity and achieving tax-exempt status in 1983, TACAS has grown and matured into a trusted community institution with a clear mission: to foster Chinese-American cultural exchange, promote Chinese language and cultural education, and serve the community with integrity and purpose. What distinguishes TACAS is its deep roots in the Cary area combined with its commitment to inclusive, accessible programming that welcomes families, elders, and newcomers alike. The organization's flagship Lunar New Year Festival has become a beloved annual tradition, bringing together thousands of community members to celebrate Chinese heritage through performances, cuisine, and interactive activities. TACAS recognizes that cultural preservation and community connection go hand in hand, which is why the organization invests in both formal language education and celebratory cultural events that honor traditions while building relationships across generations. Operating from Cary with connections throughout the Triangle, TACAS has established itself as a reliable partner for those seeking authentic cultural experiences and meaningful community engagement. The organization's longevity—spanning more than forty years of continuous service—reflects the trust and support it has earned from Cary residents and the broader Triangle community. By maintaining its non-political stance and focusing on education, cultural celebration, and service, TACAS embodies the values of cultural pride, community responsibility, and inclusive belonging that define its identity in the Cary area.