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DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR NYC LTD
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 822613408 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A20 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Small ($100K-$1M) · daenyc.org
revenue
$359K
expenses
$276K
net assets
$170K
employees
5
program ratio
80%
mission · from form 990

THE CORPORATION WAS FORMED TO ENCOURAGE ACCEPTANCE OF DIFFERENCE AND HELP TO PREVENT BULLYING, WHILE PROVIDING AN ENJOYABLE LITERARY EXPERIENCE IN SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES AND BOOKSTORES LOCATED IN THE NEW YORK METROPOLITAN AREA.

profile · synthesized from sources

Arts and literacy nonprofit that organizes drag performers to read stories, sing, and lead crafts for children in schools, libraries, and bookstores across the New York metropolitan area. Aims to promote acceptance of difference, prevent bullying, and support early literacy through inclusive, creative programming. The organization emphasizes gender diversity, self-expression, and cultural representation in its storytelling events.

named programs · 2 · from sources

What they call their work

Drag Story Hour
Weekly storytelling events where drag artists read books, sing songs, and lead craft activities for children and families in libraries, schools, and bookstores across NYC
Lil Park Drag Show
Trans-run, all-ages community drag show, art workshop, and vendor market series held in parks and gardens throughout NYC
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Early Literacy Promotion 2 activities
    • Deliver drag-themed storytelling and creative arts programs for children and youth
      Provides 45-minute storytelling programs for children ages 3–8 featuring picture book readings, songs, movement activities, and an age-appropriate introduction to drag as dress-up and play. Offers age-specific adaptations including bilingual storytimes (Spanish/English, Cantonese/English, Mandarin/English), programs for ages 10–14 and 14–18 using queer middle grade and young adult literature, and interactive events such as Drag Lab where children create their own drag personas. Conducts both in-person and virtual programs at schools, libraries, and community spaces across New York City, with approximately 200 events annually and over 5,000 youth served in 2025.
    • Provide drag artist training and performance support
      Offers training for drag performers in reading to children, selecting age-appropriate books, and following safety protocols for public programming, enabling them to deliver effective and inclusive storytime events.
  • Youth Theater Arts Education 2 activities
    • Offer drag makeup tutorials and demonstrations
      Provides 60-minute live makeup tutorials and demonstrations for ages 8–18 led by drag artists, covering techniques such as contouring, lip, and eye application.
    • Provide free and subsidized programming through public and private funding
      Offers free storytelling programs in public schools and community spaces, supported by revenue from paid private and corporate bookings. Annually awards one free storytelling program through the Mary Beth Dromm Fund, selected by a panel of DAE NYC storytellers and administrators.
  • Digital Communications and Content Management 1 activity
    • Conduct organizational outreach and administrative operations
      Manages social media content for organizational outreach and engagement, and performs general administrative tasks to support ongoing operations.
  • Nonprofit Retail and Merchandise Sales 1 activity
    • Engage in outreach, fundraising, and merchandise sales
      Conducts informational tabling and sells merchandise—including tote bags ($35), book-themed stickers ($5 each or three for $10), fan, crown, and unicorn-themed stickers—at public events such as Pride and Harvest festivals. Organizes fundraising events involving raffle and merchandise sales, event setup, and cleanup.
  • Accessibility Services for Cultural Programs 1 activity
    • Ensure accessibility in programming
      Provides free American Sign Language interpretation for all programs to ensure accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing participants.
  • Storytelling and Literacy Resource Development 1 activity
    • Support early literacy and creative expression through drag-based learning resources
      Advances early literacy by modeling expressive reading during professional storytime performances and maintains a core curriculum of books used in programs, such as *Neither* by Airlie Anderson. Offers downloadable coloring pages and activity-based resources that engage children in creative, drag-themed learning.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Deliver drag-themed educational and performance programs for adults
      Hosts 45-minute storytelling and performance programs for adult audiences featuring picture book readings, lip sync performances, group movement to “The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish Swish Swish,” and interactive activities like “Find Your Own Drag Name.”
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$359K
Contributions & grants$188K52%
Program service revenue$171K48%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$276K
Program expenses80%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$164K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$193K
Cash$66K
Investments$0
Liabilities$23K
Net assets$170K
Liquid reserves2.9 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +13.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MICHELLE YUN-HEE PROFITT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $100K
board members · 4
  • ALLISON MARINO — PRESIDENT/TREASURER
  • FRANKIE DASCOLA — DIRECTOR
  • RAAKHEE MIRCHANDANI — DIRECTOR
  • XAVIER VAN DEGNA — SECRETARY
relationships · 21

Who they work with

  • Bronx Library Center Partner — DAE NYC is an approved vendor with the Bronx Library system, allowing local branches to book events via central administration.
  • Brooklyn Collaborative Studies Partner — Hosts or collaborates on programs with DAE NYC; represented by librarian Amanda Clarke who provided a testimonial.
  • Brooklyn Collaborative Studies Middle School Partner — Hosted in-person Drag Queen Story Hour events for middle school students.
  • Brooklyn Public Library Partner — Collaborated on hosting Drag Queen Story Hour events, including virtual programs during school closures.
  • Brooklyn Public Library Partner — DAE NYC is an approved vendor with the Brooklyn Public Library system, enabling event bookings through central administration.
  • Brooklyn Public Library Partner — Hosts Drag Story Hour events and provides space for orientation and programming.
  • Heritage of Pride Funder — Private foundation that funds some of DAE NYC's programs.
  • Hunter College Elementary School Partner — Hosted virtual Drag Queen Story Hour event sponsored by Council Member Keith Powers.
  • Inclusive Communication Services Partner — Provides free ASL interpretation for all programs.
  • Lambda Literary Partner — Co-hosted 'Dragtivity Time' educational programs on drag and gender with DQSH.
  • Mary Beth Dromm Partner — Fund named in memory of Mary Beth Dromm supports free programming for underserved community members in NYC.
  • Meatpacking Business Improvement District Partner — Partnered to host weekly virtual Drag Queen Story Hour livestreams during the pandemic.
  • New York City Council Government — Relies on discretionary funding allocations from New York City Council Members to support programming in local schools and libraries.
  • New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Provides public funds for DAE NYC's public programs in partnership with the City Council.
  • New York City Department of Education Government — Engaged through its LGBTQ Program Manager in supporting and acknowledging the impact of DQSH programs in schools.
  • New York City Department of Education Government — Funds some of DAE NYC's programs.
  • New York City Department of Transportation Government — Funds some of DAE NYC's programs.
  • New York Public Library Partner — DAE NYC is an approved vendor with the New York Public Library system, enabling branches to book events through central administration.
  • New York Public Library Partner — Hosts Drag Story Hour events at branch locations including Hudson Park in Greenwich Village.
  • New York State Council on the Arts Funder — Provides public funding for DAE NYC's public programs with support from the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
  • PS 150Q Partner — Hosted virtual Drag Queen Story Hour event for K-5 students after in-person plans were canceled.
strategies · 4

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Arts-Based Inclusion Through Drag Storytelling
    methodology: arts_based_inclusion
    By using drag performers to deliver storytime and creative activities, we foster acceptance of difference, reduce bullying, and promote self-expression in children because the art form models joyful, visible gender diversity in an age-appropriate, engaging way that builds empathy and challenges binary norms.
  • Cross-Subsidized Community Access Model
    methodology: cross_subsidized_programming
    By using revenue from paid private and corporate events, we subsidize free programming in public schools and libraries because this financial model expands access for underserved communities while sustaining organizational operations without relying on traditional funding pipelines.
  • Inclusive Representation in Performance Roles
    methodology: inclusive_representation
    By intentionally including drag storytellers of all gender identities—including queens, kings, creatures, and nonbinary performers—we model authentic self-representation for children because visible diversity in role models reinforces that self-expression is not limited by gender norms.
  • Literature-Integrated Social-Emotional Learning
    methodology: literature_for_social_emotional_learning
    By pairing curated children's literature with facilitated discussions and multi-modal activities (songs, crafts, movement), we promote understanding of identity, belonging, and marginalization because stories serve as allegories that make complex social-emotional concepts accessible and relatable to young children.