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Bruce Koff graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Russian and political science from Grinnell College in 1975. Following graduation, he earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Illinois-Chicago.

A lifelong Chicagoan, Koff has been a leader and innovator for LGBTQI+ issues throughout his 40-year career. An advocate for professional standards of clinical mental health practice with the LGBTQI+ population, Koff has trained countless clinicians, taught at the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration and is co-author of the book, "Something to Tell You: The Road Families Travel When a Child Is Gay." He also initiated the first post-graduate certificate program in the nation on clinical practice with LGBTQI+ individuals and families.

He was the first paid executive director of Horizons Community Services (now Center on Halsted), the LGBTQI+ community center in Chicago. He is also co-founder and former COO of Live Oak, Inc., a LGBTQI+-affirmative and trauma-informed counseling/psychotherapy organization that also provided specialized training for other mental health professionals and social service agencies.

Koff retired in 2018 and currently serves as Vice-Chair of the International Board and Chair of the U.S. Board of Rainbow Railroad, a global organization assisting LGBTQI+ individuals fleeing persecution and violence.

Koff has been inducted into the City of Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame and is a recipient of the Center on Halsted Human First Award, the Grinnell College Alumni Award and the Distinguished Contribution to Social Justice Award from the American Family Therapy Academy.

While attending Grinnell, Koff was a member of the Grinnell Singers and GCGC (the Grinnell College Gay Community). After graduation, he served as co-president of the Alumni Council from 1997–98.

In 1982, Koff met his spouse, interior designer Mitchell Channon. Channon is also a Grinnell grad, class of '82. Like Koff, Channon is a lifelong Chicagoan. He received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Illinois-Chicago.