Concerns are rising among LGBTQ+ seniors regarding the handling of a substantial $19 million donation to the San Diego LGBT Community Center. This gift, originating from the estate of Maurice Thimot and M. Rust Rawnsley, was intended to support programs for gay seniors. However, community members express dissatisfaction with the Center’s transparency regarding the allocation of these funds.
The donation was disbursed in two parts: $10 million in 2022 and an anticipated $8.9 million in the fall of 2024. The Center has stated that the funds will be directed towards LGBTQ+ senior housing and related services. Yet, many in the community feel that the Center has not adequately communicated how the money is being utilized or the original intentions behind the donation.
At a recent board meeting, long-time donor Charles Kaminski emphasized the importance of transparency, stating, “These are not small procedural issues. They are governance choices. Transparency builds trust.” This sentiment was echoed in an open letter signed by over 50 individuals, which expressed frustration over the Center’s management of the donation and called for clarity on its spending activities.
A worrying trend has emerged as community members suggest that the bequest and its investment income may be treated as general operating revenue rather than being used for its intended purpose. The letter noted, “the bequest and its investment income appear to have been treated as general operating revenue and applied to routine expenses.”
Former senior advisory committee member Elaine Lewis expressed that the growing dissatisfaction within the community is palpable. “People have been feeling this way for a long time,” she remarked.
In response to inquiries from the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Center refrained from disclosing specific details regarding the donors’ intentions or the current expenditure of the donation. Center spokesperson Gus Hernandez stated, “The Center, our attorneys, and auditor have come to a shared understanding that the gift will be used toward LGBTQ+ senior housing and related services.” He confirmed that the use of gift funds has been paused pending final guidance on regulatory compliance.
This pause includes halting the $350,000 annual payments previously earmarked to support housing stability for seniors. The Center, which manages assets totaling $32 million, is currently without a chief financial officer following the departure of its last CFO in May 2024.
Community members initially raised concerns about the Center’s handling of the donation last July, coinciding with a notice from the nonprofit indicating potential mass layoffs due to federal funding uncertainties. While no layoffs occurred, the uncertainty has further strained trust between the Center and the community.
Hernandez clarified that mass layoffs are not currently under consideration, although the Center remains vigilant about potential federal funding cuts. He highlighted that senior service visits increased by 70% over the past year, underscoring the importance of these programs.
Despite these assurances, doubts persist among seniors regarding the Center’s commitment to transparency. Conflicting messages about the Thimot and Rawnsley donation have left some community members feeling disillusioned. Last year, the Center claimed that restrictions on the gift prevented its use for senior housing while simultaneously stating the donation would prioritize housing and related services.
Community members are also critical of the newly established senior advisory committee, which has closed meetings that exclude public participation. This shift has raised additional concerns about accountability and transparency in governance.
The limited opportunity for public comment at board meetings has also drawn criticism, with only four minutes allotted for community voices. Hernandez defended this approach, citing management needs during high-participation meetings and ensuring equitable speaking time.
Some community members have expressed that recent changes, such as moving memorial tiles honoring deceased community members from the Center’s lobby to an outdoor space, have diminished their sense of belonging.
Calls for transparency and accountability extend beyond the Center, as similar sentiments were voiced in a public letter directed at San Diego Pride last year, calling for reforms within that organization as well.
As the situation unfolds, the San Diego LGBT Community Center faces significant pressure to address the concerns of its seniors and ensure that the legacy of Thimot and Rawnsley is honored in a manner that truly benefits the community they intended to support.