irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $85KEXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY THE FUTURE PERFECT PROJECT (IFQT), IM FEELING QUEER TODAY IS A PODCAST THAT AMPLIFIES THE VOICES OF QUEER YOUTH BY EXPLORING CURRENT THEMES AND ISSUES THROUGH A QUEER LENS. PRODUCED AND HOSTED BY A TEAM OF 11 YOUNG ADULTS FROM ALL ACROSS NORTH AMERICA, IFQT IS A COMBINATION OF TRUE-STORYTELLING, INTERVIEWS, TRIVIA AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING DISCUSSIONS THAT CENTER QUEER YOUNG VOICES IN THE NATIONAL CONVERSATION AROUND LGBTQIA+ RIGHTS, CULTURE AND ACTIVISM. 2024 - FOLLOWING A FIVE-STAR-RATED FIRST SEASON WITH RECOGNITION FROM APPLE PODCASTS PRIDE COLLECTION, I'M FEELING QUEER TODAY! IS BACK FOR MORE. IN SEASON 2, WE'RE DIVING EVEN DEEPER INTO THE WORLD OF LGBTQIA+ CULTURE AND TAKING A LOOK AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF QUEERNESS AND DISABILITY, NEURODIVERGENCE, GENDER, AND GEOGRAPHY. YOU WILL HEAR FROM A DISABILITY JUSTICE SCHOLAR, A QUEER BUSINESS OWNER ADOPTING A 'NON-BINARY BUSINESS MODEL, AND OF COURSE, QUEER YOUTH OF TODAY AS WE CARRY YOU THROUGH VULNERABLE DISCUSSIONS, INTERVIEWS, AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL WRITING, ORIGINAL MUSIC, AND SO MUCH MORE. IM FEELING QUEER TODAY, AND OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL, HOSTING OVER 140 ORIGINAL VIDEOS, SERVE AS PLATFORMS TO CONTINUE AMPLIFYING YOUNG QUEER VOICES AND CULTIVATING AUTHENTIC EXPRESSION AND COMMUNITY BUILDING.
- #2 $26KTHE FUTURE PERFECT RECORDS PROGRAM OFFERS ASPIRING SINGER-SONGWRITERS INVALUABLE GUIDANCE IN CRAFTING PROFESSIONAL PROFILES ON PROMINENT STREAMING PLATFORMS LIKE APPLE MUSIC, SPOTIFY, AND BANDCAMP, IN ADDITION TO BEING PART OF AN ORIGINAL COMPILATION ALBUM. MOREOVER, PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE MEMBERSHIPS TO ESTEEMED ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS ASCAP OR BMI, FURTHER ENHANCING THEIR VISIBILITY AND OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE INDUSTRY. FPR IS AN ONGOING ONLINE ARTIST RESIDENCY PROGRAM FOR LGBTQIA+ SINGER-SONGWRITERS AGES 14-22. IN THIS TRANSFORMATIVE 9-MONTH PROCESS, A SELECTED COHORT OF QUEER MUSICIANS FROM ALL OVER THE U.S. MEET ONLINE TO CONCEIVE, RECORD, AND RELEASE A FULL-LENGTH ALBUM OF THEIR OWN ORIGINAL MUSIC. IN 2021, THE FIRST COHORT OF SELECTED ARTISTS CREATED THE ALBUM NOT WHAT YOU PICTURED WHICH WAS DISTRIBUTED TO ALL MAJOR STREAMING PLATFORMS AND PERFORMED LIVE AT NEW YORK CITY'S LINCOLN CENTER WHERE THE ARTISTS MET IN PERSON. THIS PAST OCTOBER, THE CURRENT COHORT OF YOUNG ARTISTS RELEASED "DIVINITY," THE SECOND ALBUM FROM THE FP RECORDS PROGRAM, AND THEY MET IN NYC TO PERFORM LIVE AT THE PUBLIC THEATER. OUR DISCOGRAPHY HAS OVER 42K TOTAL STREAMS, ACROSS TWO ALBUMS ON ALL PLATFORMS, WITH 22 YOUTH PARTICIPANTS ON THE ROSTER.
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Artivism: A Community Speaks to Itself
In-person workshop series where LGBTQ+ youth engage in writing and songwriting prompts to express their stories and visions, culminating in public performances.
Future Perfect Records
Year-long online residency for LGBTQ+ singer-songwriters ages 16–22 to write, record, and release original music, culminating in a full-length album and live performance.
I’m Feeling Queer Today! (IFQT) Podcast
National podcast produced and hosted by LGBTQ+ youth ages 16–22, featuring storytelling, interviews, and discussions on queer culture, identity, and activism.
The Julie Novak "Original Voice" Writer's Residency
Four-month mentorship and scholarship program for LGBTQ+ writers ages 18–22, including one-on-one mentorship and a free workshop at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown.
The Last Grove: Queerness & The Environment
Devised theater project created by LGBTQIA+ youth exploring climate change and human impact, performed outdoors in New York City.
Writer's Room
Free virtual writing program for LGBTQ+ youth ages 13–19, offered in seasonal cohorts with professional LGBTQ+ writer mentors guiding creative expression through prompts and discussion.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Artist Residencies and Studio Programs 2 activities
- Advanced mentorship and workshop for emerging LGBTQ+ writersProvides a fully funded, four-month virtual mentorship and a one-week intensive writing workshop at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown for two selected LGBTQ+ writers aged 18–22, covering travel, housing, and meals, to support advanced creative development.
- Residency program for LGBTQIA+ musicians and singer-songwritersOperates a year-long, no-cost online creative residency for LGBTQIA+ musicians and singer-songwriters aged 14–22 to collaboratively create, record, and release original music with professional producers, culminating in live performances at venues such as Lincoln Center and Joe's Pub, and documented releases including albums "Not What You Pictured" and "Divinity."
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Arts Education Access Programs 1 activity
- Creative workshops for LGBTQ+ youth in schools and community centersProvides in-person and remote creative workshops in podcasting, music, creative writing, and new media for LGBTQ+ youth aged 13–19 at schools, LGBTQ+ centers, and community organizations across the United States, creating safe spaces for expression and connection.
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Literary Events & Workshops 1 activity
- Free virtual writing program for LGBTQ+ youthOffers a free, virtual writing program for LGBTQ+ youth ages 13–19, delivered in seasonal cohorts that meet every first and third Tuesday over four months, facilitated by queer mentors and peers. Each cohort is limited to 25 participants and culminates in a published community chapbook.
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Community-Engaged Theater Production 1 activity
- Live performance programming for queer and allied youthFacilitates live performance opportunities for LGBTQ+, trans, and allied youth in public venues and community settings, including Pride events, Sofar Sounds showcases, and theater performances, to increase visibility, celebrate identity, and build community.
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Podcast and Radio Production 1 activity
- Youth-led podcast production programRuns a youth-led podcast production initiative where LGBTQ+ youth aged 16–22 produce and host original podcast series including "I'm Feeling Queer Today!" and "Dear Kiko," exploring queer culture, identity, spirituality, and activism through storytelling and interviews.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Publication and broadcast of original creative work by queer youthProduces and distributes original creative content by LGBTQ+ youth, including full-length music albums, EPs, animated shorts, poetry, and writing, released on major streaming platforms and YouTube, with documented reach including over 42,000 streams and Spotify plays exceeding 10 million for select tracks.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.54M
Contributions & grants$1.54M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$3K0%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$413K
Program expenses70%
Admin / overhead27%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$62K
Grants paid out$500
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$1.28M
Cash$186K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$1.28M
Liquid reserves5.4 mo
2 years on record · 2023–2024 · YoY revenue +206.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CELESTE LECESNE | PRESIDENT | 5 | $59K |
board members · 3
- ALIA LAHLOU — BOARD MEMBER
- JOEL FLATLOW — BOARD MEMBER
- Z INFANTE — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 31
Who they work with
- Alexander Lambie Partner — Queer writer and facilitator for the Writer's Room program; artist and dramaturg focused on marginalized voices.
- Atlantic Theater Partner — Collaborated on the devised theater piece The Last Grove with LGBTQIA+ youth performers in Spring 2022.
- Bookish Songs Collective Partner — Collaborates with the Bookish Songs Collective for interviews and content related to queer literature and music.
- Celeste Lecesne Partner — Queer writer and facilitator for the Writer's Room program; co-founder of The Trevor Project.
- Cherie Rowe Partner — Queer writer and facilitator for the Writer's Room program; PhD student and creative writer exploring female identity.
- Fine Arts Work Center Partner — Partnership provides full scholarships for selected LGBTQ+ writers to attend a week-long workshop in Provincetown.
- Future Perfect Records Partner — Residency program directed by Emma Jayne Seslowsky under The Future Perfect Project focused on supporting queer youth musicians.
- Joe’s Pub Partner — Hosted the live performance of the DIVINITY album by the second Future Perfect Records cohort in October 2023.
- Joe’s Pub Partner — Venue where queer youth musicians from Future Perfect Records have performed live.
- Julie Novak Partner — Board member and supporter of The Future Perfect Project until her passing in 2024.
- Kurt Karr Partner — Shared performance stage with Kurt Karr
- Levi Chaplin-Loebell Partner — Queer writer and facilitator for the Writer's Room program; dramatist and literary associate at Seven Devils New Play Foundry.
- Lincoln Center Partner — Hosted live performance of the first Future Perfect Records cohort album "Not What You Pictured"
- Lincoln Center Partner — Partnered to present a live performance by the Future Perfect Records cohort as part of Lincoln Center’s Pride programming.
- Lincoln Center Partner — Venue where queer youth musicians from Future Perfect Records have performed live.
- Michelle Buteau Partner — Shared performance stage with comedian Michelle Buteau
- Out Partner — David Artavia served as Editor-in-Chief, guiding editorial strategy and shaping national LGBTQ+ discourse.
- Ren Dara-Santiago Partner — Queer writer and facilitator for the Writer's Room program; nonbinary Fili-Rican playwright exploring the unseen and lived experience.
- Ryan Amador Partner — Co-founder and collaborator in launching The Future Perfect Project and delivering its programming.
- Savior Complex Partner — Co-hosts the podcast "Savior Complex" which explores spirituality with humor and curiosity.
- Sofar Sounds Partner — Collaborated on a secret showcase featuring the first Future Perfect Records cohort in New York City.
- Sofar Sounds Partner — Venue/organization where queer youth musicians from Future Perfect Records have performed live.
- Tamar Braxton Partner — Shared performance stage with musician Tamar Braxton
- The Advocate Partner — David Artavia served as Editor-in-Chief, guiding editorial strategy and shaping national LGBTQ+ discourse.
- The Clark Sisters Partner — Shared performance stage with gospel group The Clark Sisters
- The Public Theater Partner — Hosted live performance of the second Future Perfect Records album "Divinity"
- Tweet Partner — Shared performance stage with musician Tweet
- Uplift LGBTQ+ Youth Outreach Center Partner — Collaborated with FPP to provide healing-centered creative activities for LGBTQ+ youth in Spartanburg, SC.
- V-Day Partner — Collaborated on the song "Like A Woman" with the global women’s rights organization V-Day.
- Walt Disney World Entertainment Partner — Shared performance stage with Walt Disney World Entertainment
+ 1 more
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 Youth Empowerment Through Queer-Affirming Mentorshipmethodology: arts_based_youth_empowermentBy integrating professional artistic mentorship with queer-affirming spaces, the organization amplifies LGBTQIA+ youth voices and fosters identity development, because creative expression in a supportive community produces empowerment, visibility, and collective transformation.
- Creative Expression as Narrative Futurism and Identity Formationmethodology: artivism_through_narrative_futurismBy using writing and songwriting to articulate personal narratives and envision liberated futures, the organization supports identity resilience among LGBTQIA+ youth, because narrative futurism enables youth to reframe their experiences and assert agency in shaping what’s possible.
- Youth Voice as a Catalyst for Social Changemethodology: youth_voice_as_social_changeBy centering authentic self-expression and youth-led creative production, the organization models a more inclusive future, because empowering LGBTQIA+ youth to shape narratives and media advances cultural change and counters systemic erasure.
- Youth-Led Media and Artistic Residency Modelmethodology: youth_led_media_productionBy involving LGBTQIA+ youth directly in the creation, recording, and public release of original artistic work through structured residencies, the organization builds leadership and artistic capacity, because sustained, cohort-based creative engagement fosters trust, continuity, and professional development.