Queer Collective

What Queer Collective does

Queer Collective is a Canadian non-profit organization founded in 2019 and headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, co-founded by Karbon and Emily Gioskos. It is committed to creating accurate and positive representation for LGBTQ2S+ communities with an emphasis on uplifting Canadian queer artists. The organization operates a hybrid portfolio combining digital content production (the Queer Collective Podcast, the Turning Heads short film series, and a Masterclass Series), annual artist grant and mentorship programs (OUTLOUD, The Vizzybility Project, Artists for Social Change), signature live events (Gender Euphoria during Toronto Pride, A Nightmare on Queer St.), and a commercial consultancy sub-brand (QC Studios). Programs are delivered free to artists and the broader LGBTQ2S+ community, while QC Studios sells corporate clients LGBTQ2S+ campaign consultation, content creation, and event production services.

The business model mixes non-profit funding streams (donations, Patreon memberships, sponsorships) with commercial revenue from QC Studios. QC Studios monetizes cultural expertise through professional-services engagements with enterprise brands; notable clients include Vizzy Hard Seltzer (multi-year flagship partner since 2021), EVIO Beauty (co-created product line), Feeld (events and 2024 podcast partnership generating 268.8K views), Procter & Gamble and Molson Coors (B2B employee Fireside Chats reaching 1,000+ employees), JVN Hair, VISA, and Brickworks Cider. Enterprise work is quote-based with multi-year contract structures. The organization is staffed by approximately 7 people and has concentrated its operations in the Greater Toronto Area, with digital reach extending across North America through corporate engagements.

The organization's go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: it activates LGBTQ2S+ audiences through digital content, flagship events, and grant programs, while QC Studios secures corporate partnerships to subsidize non-profit programming. Supporting partnerships with Warner Music Canada (mentorship), Conscious Economics and Lunar Studios (mindfulness/finance workshops), Drop Rocket (music release software), and Darling Mansion (filming location) extend the value of grant packages without proportional cost. No external funding rounds, institutional investors, or parent entities are identified; ownership remains with the co-founders and the registered non-profit entity.

Name

Queer Collective

Website

https://queercollectiveto.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Queer Collective is a Toronto-based LGBTQ2S+ non-profit that uplifts Canadian queer artists through grants, podcasts, short films, and events, while its QC Studios arm delivers LGBTQ2S+ consultancy and content campaigns to enterprise brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

LGBTQ2S+ Community Programming and Marketing Consultancy

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB), Brand Partnerships & Music Placement Services (Non-Exclusive Brand Deals) (MPAIALAM)

Keywords

• LGBTQ2S+ community programming
• Queer artist grants
• LGBTQ marketing consultancy
• Pride event production
• Queer content production

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations: Direct donations from supporters to fund non-profit programming and LGBTQ2S+ artist support initiatives.
2. Patreon Membership: Monthly membership program providing recurring support from community members.
3. Corporate Consultancy and Campaigns: QC Studios generates revenue through LGBTQ2S+ consultancy, content creation, campaign production, and event services for corporate partners including Vizzy Hard Seltzer, Feeld, EVIO Beauty, P&G, and Molson Coors.
4. Sponsorships: Annual sponsorship from partners like Vizzy Hard Seltzer to support grant programs and non-profit operations.
5. Co-created Product Lines: QC Studios co-creates product lines with partners, such as the EVIO Beauty collaboration featuring art-forward packaging and campaign elements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Queer Collective is a Toronto-based non-profit that uplifts Canadian LGBTQ2S+ artists and communities through annual grant programs, short film series, podcasts, masterclasses, and flagship Pride events. Its commercial arm, QC Studios, sells LGBTQ2S+ marketing consultancy, campaign production, content creation, and event services to corporate partners seeking authentic queer cultural engagement.

Product overview

Queer Collective is a Canadian non-profit organization operating primarily as a content production and community programming entity rather than a traditional software product. Its portfolio comprises digital media products (the Queer Collective Podcast, the Turning Heads short film series, and a Masterclass Series), annual grant and mentorship programs (OUTLOUD, The Vizzybility Project, Artists for Social Change), signature live events (Gender Euphoria), and a consultancy sub-brand (QC Studios) that provides LGBTQ2S+ marketing, content creation, campaign, and event services to corporate partners. There is no unified platform; each product operates independently as a distinct initiative, program, or service offering.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• QC Studios: LGBTQ2S+ Marketing & Consultancy - the consultancy arm of Queer Collective that connects corporate partners to queer culture, offering services including LGBTQ2S+ consultancy, content creation, campaigns, and events & talks.

Products and services

• Queer Collective Podcast Weekly podcast co-hosted by founders Karbon and Emily, taking an informative and comedic approach to queer topics, current events, and storytelling. Released every other Thursday on YouTube, targeting LGBTQ2S+ audiences seeking community representation.
• Turning Heads Short Film Series Ongoing short film series exploring queer identity and expression through co-created content with brand partners. Vol. I (with Les Studio) focused on haircuts free from gendered boxes; Vol. II (with EVIO Beauty) showcased makeup as a genderless tool of self-expression and premiered at Hot Docs Cinema.
• Masterclass Series Limited-series educational masterclasses featuring queer experts, including an Astrology Masterclass hosted by Sheena (founder of One People TO) and a Drag Masterclass hosted by Toronto Brazilian drag queen Dexter. Delivered via the Queer Collective YouTube channel for community education and visibility.
• OUTLOUD Grant Program Annual Pride performing arts grant program awarding three selected Canadian LGBTQ2S+ artists with a $2,000 Artist Honorarium, mentorship from Warner Music Canada and Conscious Economics, professional video production at Darling Mansion, and digital amplification. The program is currently archived after multiple annual cycles.
• Gender Euphoria Annual immersive art experience and dance party held during Toronto Pride weekend, featuring live music, drag, dance, interactive painting, art installations, and DJs. Showcases OUTLOUD winners and artists from the Queer Collective network for LGBTQ2S+ audiences and allies.
• A Nightmare on Queer St Multi-room immersive Halloween art experience co-produced with Something Creative, featuring art installations, dance, drag, DJs, contortionists, tarot readings, magic, interactive painting, and photo moments. Targeted at LGBTQ2S+ community members and allies during the Halloween season.
• QC Studios (LGBTQ2S+ Marketing & Consultancy) Consultancy sub-brand connecting corporate partners to queer culture, offering end-to-end LGBTQ2S+ marketing services: strategic consultancy on authentic campaign messaging, content creation (graphics, social media, photography, videography), full campaign ideation and execution, and event/talks production. Engagements with Vizzy Hard Seltzer, Feeld, EVIO Beauty, P&G, Molson Coors, JVN Hair, VISA, and Brickworks Cider.
• The Vizzybility Project Grant and artist incubator program launched in partnership with Vizzy Hard Seltzer and Canada's Drag Race winner Priyanka, awarding four Canadian queer artists a grant and prize package valued at $35,000 each (totaling $140,000), plus a month-long virtual artist incubator support series.
• Artists for Social Change Arts education and social change competition facilitating intimate workshops for 30 aspiring Canadian artists with a focus on BIPOC, newcomers, and LGBTQ2S+ community members. Participants competed for a digital showcase opportunity with celebrity judges, artist development tools, and honorariums.

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and supporting.

• Vizzy Hard SeltzerflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Annual presenting sponsor of OUTLOUD grant program since 2021. Partnered on #VizzybilityProject (2021) awarding $35K to 4 Canadian queer artists. Deepened to full campaign ideation and execution by 2023 (#VizzybilityBooth), and expanded to 2024 with 'Stream it Forward' Pride campaign alongside Amazon Streaming.
• Warner Music CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Industry Mentorship Package to OUTLOUD winners, offering professional development support for emerging queer artists.
• Conscious EconomicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Mindfulness & Money workshop customized for Artists as part of OUTLOUD prize package. Also partnered on Artists for Social Change program.
• Lunar StudiossupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-creates Mindfulness & Money workshop for OUTLOUD artists alongside Conscious Economics.
• Drop RocketsupportingTechnology or IntegrationProvides one-year membership to Drop Rocket music release software for OUTLOUD winners, enabling private release planning.
• Darling MansionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilming location for OUTLOUD performance videos, providing professional production setting for artist content.
• Les StudiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeamed up with Queer Collective to present 'Turning Heads Vol. I', a short film exploring queer identity and expression through hair.
• EVIO BeautyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeamed up for Turning Heads Vol. II short film exploring queer expression through makeup. Co-created product line featuring art-forward packaging, campaign copy, and naming developed by QC Studios. Premiered at Hot Docs Cinema.
• FeeldcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProduced Toronto Feeld Socials and Feeld Forums (300+ RSVPs each) in June 2023. Launched 2024 podcast partnership co-creating episodes on curated topics. Generated 268.8K total views on sponsored content.
• Procter & Gamble (P&G)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered in June 2024 to curate custom Pride Fireside chat for internal LGBTQ+ employee group, covering inclusive behaviors, allyship, and authentic expression.
• Molson CoorscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted digital Fireside Chat for 1,000+ Molson Coors employees across North America in July 2024, covering rainbow marketing best practices and case studies through Vizzy collaboration.
• JVN HairsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered in June 2022 to curate and moderate panel at Influencer Blowout Styling Milk launch event. Hosted Jonathan Van Ness on Queer Collective podcast. JVN Hair contributed to non-profit programs.
• VISAsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered in 2022 to consult on Visa Debit Pride Campaign, providing insights on creative direction and casting to ensure authentic LGBTQ+ representation.
• Brickworks CidersupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered in 2022 to ensure Pride campaign authenticity, curating and promoting three live music Pride events, producing photoshoot, and designing custom graphics for merchandise and event materials.
• Honey JamsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner alongside Queer Collective on Artists for Social Change program, an arts education + social change competition presented by Arts Help and Conscious Economics.
• Arts HelpsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting partner for Artists for Social Change program, facilitating intimate workshops for 30 aspiring Canadian artists with focus on BIPOC, newcomers, and LGBTQ2S+ members.
• Priyanka (Canada's Drag Race Winner)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Vizzy Hard Seltzer and Queer Collective to launch #VizzybilityProject, a program giving 4 Canadian Queer artists grants and prize packages.
• One People TOsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSheena, founder of One People TO, hosted Astrology Masterclass as part of Queer Collective's Masterclass Series.
• Amazon StreamingsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner2024 'Stream it Forward' Pride fundraising campaign partnered with Vizzy and Amazon Streaming, with Queer Collective curating Pride film and TV playlist and proceeds supporting non-profit programs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Toronto Pride: Toronto Pride (Pride Toronto) is the organization behind Toronto's annual Pride festival and amid-year LGBTQ2S+ programming. Comparable to Queer Collective's Pride-timed flagship event (Gender Euphoria) and Toronto-based LGBTQ2S+ event programming, with overlapping audiences and corporate partner rosters.
• The 519: The 519 is a Toronto-based City of Toronto agency serving the LGBTQ2S+ community with programs, services, and community space. Directly comparable given the shared Toronto geography and overlapping mandate of providing LGBTQ2S+ community programs, events, and advocacy, though The 519 is a municipally funded community center.
• Buddies in Bad Times Theatre: Buddies in Bad Times is a Toronto-based queer theatre company producing live performance and developing queer artists. Comparable to Queer Collective's performing arts programming (OUTLOUD, Gender Euphoria) and Toronto-based artist development mission, though focused on stage rather than digital content.

Direct peers

• Fierté Canada Pride: Fierté Canada Pride is the national umbrella organization for Canadian Pride festivals and LGBTQ2S+ community programming. Comparable to Queer Collective in the Canadian LGBTQ2S+ programming and Pride-event space, with overlapping event production (Gender Euphoria, A Nightmare on Queer St) and a shared national scope.
• Rainbow Railroad: Rainbow Railroad is a Canadian non-profit providing safe pathways for LGBTQ2S+ people facing persecution. Comparable to Queer Collective as a Canadian registered non-profit serving LGBTQ2S+ communities, though Rainbow Railroad's mission is humanitarian/relocation rather than arts and representation.
• PFLAG Canada: PFLAG Canada is a Canadian non-profit supporting LGBTQ2S+ people and their families through peer support, education, and advocacy. Comparable to Queer Collective's non-profit advocacy and education mission in Canada, though PFLAG focuses more on family/ally relationships and support groups.
• Egale Canada: Egale Canada is a Canadian LGBTQ2S+ human rights organization advancing equality through research, advocacy, and education. Directly comparable to Queer Collective's Canadian non-profit, advocacy-driven mandate and content-led approach to advancing LGBTQ2S+ representation, though Egale is more policy-focused.
• Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival: Inside Out is a Toronto-based 2SLGBTQ+ film festival that produces and screens queer cinema. Directly comparable to Queer Collective's Turning Heads short film series and content production mission, with a shared Toronto focus on curating and amplifying queer film and storytelling.

Broad incumbents

• GLAAD: GLAAD is the largest U.S. LGBTQ2S+ media advocacy organization, working with brands and media to advance fair representation. Comparable to Queer Collective's mission of creating accurate LGBTQ2S+ representation and its QC Studios work consulting corporate partners on authentic campaigns, though GLAAD operates at a substantially larger national scale.
• The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is a leading U.S. non-profit focused on LGBTQ2S+ youth crisis support and mental health. Queer's Collective's youth-focused programming (YouTube content, masterclasses, podcast) and mission to provide safe spaces and role models address similar youth-representation needs, though the Trevor Project is more clinically focused and U.S.-based.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@QueerCollective
• Instagraminstagram.com/queer.collective
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/queercollective

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Queer Collective