2024-2025 Annual Report:

The first year of QJC

Starting a non-profit organization is not an easy undertaking. Starting a Queer organization in the current political climate could be seen as even more difficult.

We knew it was also essential. The Queer Joy Collaborative is a little bit about making thought-provoking art, but it’s a lot about creating community and reminding ourselves what safety and joy can feel like.

What follows is the story of our first year as an organization - the nitty gritty details, the statistics, and the goofy, welcoming, eclectic set of programs that began our journey towards a collaborative infrastructure for safety, mutual aid, and joy.

A Letter from the Executive Director

Sweet community,
This year we did something. It was scary, hard, fulfilling, necessary, busy, hilarious, and hard again.

We took something that was working pretty well and we moved it into a new space where we had to create systems, build infrastructure, and forge new relationships. 

Creating QJC has truly been a community effort, led by the dedicated members of our board, and fed by hard work, practicing, and showing up from so many of you.
Our goal is for that showing up (whether you’re showing up to set up an activity or just to SING) to remain as joyful and sustaining for YOU as it does for the organization for many years to come.

Thank you for being you, and bringing your whole self here,

Mara

Our Roots:

Queer Joy Collaborative is dedicated to fostering a supportive and empowering environment for LGBTQ+ individuals in Northampton and surrounding communities, celebrating queer identities and promoting joy, well-being, and community connection.

Joy

At the end of the day, we’re really all here to have some joy. Smiles, goofiness, singing, and connection are medicine for all of us. We come together to experience joy and also to share it with others.

Mutual Aid

Our fee structures and our reimagining of the power of generational wealth are just some of the ways we employ mutual aid to empower our community.

Accessibility

Physical, emotional, and financial accessibility are paramount to the foundation of our organization and the ways in which we operate.

The Year in Numbers

Total Income: $33,216

Total Expenses: $30,813

Reserve: $2,403

Income

Visual graph of QJC Funding sources: Events - $12,253; Donations: $5,325; Sponsors: $4,149; Grants: $525; Registrations: $10,007; Performances: $956
Pie chart of QJC Income showing percentages: Events: 37.8%; Registrations: 30.9%; Donations: 14%; Sponsors: 12.8%; Performances: 2.9%; Grants/other: 1.6%

Expenses

Pie chart of QJC Expenses showing amounts and percentages: Personnel: $16,200 - 52.6%; Operations: $8,867 - 28.8%; Materials for Events: $4325 - 14%; Software: $1,421 - 4.6%

QJC Programs 2024-25

Members of the Queer Joy Chorus preparing to march in the Hampshire Pride Parade

10 Performances
96 Registered members
33 Full scholarships
41 Partial scholarships

Queer Joy Chorus

Members of the Queer Joy Chorus smiling as they prepare to sing

4 Rounds
4 Potlucks
A few tears
1 million laughs

Members of Queer Joy Chorus singing at a recording session for Carrie Ferguson!

2 Recording sessions
3 Prides
Several babies
0 Ironic positivity

Community members dancing at the Winter Ball under red, orange, and green DJ lights and paper snowflakes

238 Tickets sold
$7500 Raised
100+ Donated items

Winter Ball

Items donated for the Winter Ball Silent Auction on display including books, art, stickers, and water bottles

4 Speeches
1 DJ
A room full of amazing dancers!
SO many snowflakes

MC Andrea Starkoski introduces the chorus at the Winter Ball

1 Emcee
1 Genie
1 Chorus
A room full of smiles

Members of the Kids Chorus having fun on stage

24 Kiddos, ages 6-13
1 Baby
48 Eyes ON Mara

Rhythm & Radiance Kids’ Chorus

Members of the Kids Chorus rehearsing

3 Skits (written by kids)
1 Dance (choreographed by kids)
1,250,345 Ideas
3 Songs

Members of the Kids' Chorus performing at High Five Books

2 Performances
24 Conductors
1 Kid-written show

Sending Joy instructions (Write a postcard to someone you care about, Write a letter to yourself or someone else, Write a letter or postcard to a community member you've never met - We will mail them for you!

~500 Postcards mailed
30 Participants
5 Events from November - June

Sending Joy Postcard Parties

Members of the community gather around a table full of postcards, papers, stickers, and pens, smiling and writing letters

20 Puffy stickers
87 Pens
Unlimited snacks

A pile of QJC Postcards that say: Queer Joy is Power, Queer Joy is Magic, Queer Joy is Resistance, Queer Joy is Sacred, and You Are Loved

5 Trips to the post office
5 Beautiful post card designs
2 Marriage proposals to Rachel Maddow

Hundreds of community members gather to hear the Choruses perform

300 Tickets sold
2 Choruses
15 QUEERleaders

Spring Fun Fair

People visit the booths of vendors who brought art, plants, and other information to share

21 Vendor booths (inside and out!)
15 Games to play
100 Buckets of water dumped on adults

A vendor booth with bubbles, lollipops, and lots of bright colors

Many new traditions created
Unlimited JOY

Appreciation

Thank you to our first ever Board of Directors!

Thank you to every participant in our programs!

Thank you to every donor and supporter!

Starting something new is never easy. The members of our inaugural board have worked tirelessly and thoughtfully to help make this more than a chorus. 

And, each of you has brought your own love, joy, and personality to make this organization special. 

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this memorable first year.

What’s Next

Our Own Space

We are searching for a space we can inhabit 24-7 that meets all of our space and accessibility needs.

It may take some time to find that perfect space, but we’ll attempt to improve our space each year until we find a place we can stay! 

Queer Joy Band

Depending on the space we’re able to secure we hope to start a band in January, 2026, that can exist on its own and also accompany the chorus sometimes!

What Else?

We’re looking for ways to continue building community, connecting people of all generations and orientations through art, and bringing joy wherever we go. We are built around the people who walk in our doors because they’re the people who need us now. What are your ideas?

Thank You.

DONATE

If you have read this far, you are part of what got us to here. QJC had an amazing beginning thanks to your enthusiasm, support, participation, or just your love. We are a community of friends looking to bring joy to everyone around us. 

Thanks for making space for Queer Joy in your life.
Thanks for being unapologetically you. 

It’s not always easy, but a little community and a little joy can help make it possible.