Rubi Girls

What Rubi Girls does

The Rubi Girls is a 501c3 nonprofit drag performance troupe founded in 1984 in Dayton, Ohio, that stages comedic, charity-driven performances to raise funds for HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ causes. The troupe operates from the owned RubiClubhouse at 1207 Wayne Ave, which is also the site of an Ohio Historical Marker recognizing 42 years of fundraising, and runs a multi-program portfolio including the Rubi Girls Foundation (discretionary grants to LGBTQ+ and health/human service non-profits), the Rubi Girls Scholarship fund held in perpetuity at the Dayton Foundation, the annual flagship "The Show Must Go On" (TSMGO) show drawing 600-700+ attendees, and sub-brands such as Rubi Cinema, RubiBus/RubiRide historical tours, Club 42 monthly giving, and RubiGive grants. The core technology and product surface is fundamentally live theatrical performance; supporting infrastructure includes a YouTube video archive, a Square-hosted merchandise storefront, FlipCause event ticketing, and a WordPress website managed by partner Mitosis Productions.

Revenue mechanics are diversified across five tiers of corporate sponsorships ($500 to $10,000+), individual donations, event ticket sales, recurring Club 42 monthly contributions at $42, merchandise (trading cards, wigs, apparel, dog bandanas), and ancillary rental income from the Clubhouse's upstairs unit. In 2025, total sponsorship including in-kind support exceeded $200,000, and the organization targeted $100,000+ in grants to 100 Dayton-area non-profits as part of what leadership called its "Best Season Ever." Distribution is event-driven (corporate parties, pride events, university engagements such as the annual RubiAffair at Ohio Northern University, and themed dining collaborations with venues like Piccolo Orsetto and The Foundry at Marriott Dayton) combined with a community-led digital funnel across Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and a planned TikTok expansion, plus a quarterly RubiNewsday email newsletter. The customer base is structurally diversified: beneficiaries span 90-100+ non-profits per year, sponsors are distributed across local Dayton-area businesses and regional partners, and the audience is a loyal community-driven long tail rather than enterprise accounts.

Name

Rubi Girls

Legal name

The Rubi Girls

Website

https://therubigirls.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Rubi Girls is a 501c3 nonprofit drag troupe founded in 1984 in Dayton, Ohio, that performs comedic live shows to raise funds for HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ causes in the Miami Valley region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Entertainment / Nonprofit Performing Arts

NAICS

Dance Companies (711120)

akta.pro primary industry

Dance Competitions & Showcases (Non-Esports) (MPAGADAH)

Keywords

• Drag performance troupe
• Live entertainment services
• LGBTQ+ fundraising
• Nonprofit performing arts
• Charity event performers

Headquarters

HQ city

Dayton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Sponsorships: Annual and seasonal sponsorships sold at five tiers (Kitten Heel $1,000+ through Thigh-High $10,000+), providing banner placement, VIP tickets to TSMGO, and social media recognition. Total sponsorship revenue exceeded $200,000 in 2025 including in-kind.
2. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals, with amounts listed publicly on the donation page. The Rubi Girls Foundation passes donations through to LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS charities.
3. Event Ticket Sales: Tickets sold for performances including 'The Show Must Go On' flagship event and co-hosted events. Tickets for TSMGO and other shows range from general admission to VIP packages.
4. Club 42 Membership: Monthly giving program at $42 per month for '42 years', with donors entered into raffles for prizes including RubiRide Dayton Bus Tours.
5. Merchandise Sales: The Rubi Girls operate an online shop (Square) selling merchandise including wigs, costumes, calendars, trading cards, dog bandanas, half tees, and jock straps.
6. Rubi Girls Foundation Grants: The foundation distributes discretionary grants throughout the year to nonprofit organizations. In 2025, the organization targeted granting $100,000 to 100 non-profits in the Dayton area.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Rubi Girls is a 501c3 nonprofit drag performance troupe that stages comedic drag shows and live performances to raise funds for HIV/AIDS and LGBTQIA+ causes. Core offerings include the annual flagship event The Show Must Go On (TSMGO), the Rubi Girls Foundation grant program, and the Rubi Girls Scholarship program for LGBTQ+ youth in the Miami Valley. Supporting offerings include Club 42 recurring monthly giving, RubiRide historical bus tours, Rubi Cinema video content, branded merchandise, and tiered event sponsorships.

Product overview

Rubi Girls is a nonprofit drag performance troupe offering live comedic charity-driven performances at events, fundraisers, and Pride celebrations. The core offerings include The Show Must Go On annual signature show, Rubi Girls Foundation grants, and the Rubi Girls Scholarship program. Supporting offerings include Club 42 monthly donations, RubiRides bus tours, Rubi Cinema video content, RubiNewsday newsletter, merchandise (trading cards, apparel), and event sponsorship tiers ranging from $500-$10,000+.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rubi Girls Foundation: Dedicated to raising money for LGBTQ+ charities and making a difference in the greater community.
• Rubi Girls Scholarship
• RubiGive
• The Show Must Go On (TSMGO)
• RubiBus / RubiRide
• Rubi Cinema

Products and services

• The Rubi Girls Live Performances Bookable comedic, charity-driven drag performances delivered by the 9-member troupe at fundraisers, Pride celebrations, corporate events, and community gatherings across Ohio and the broader Midwest. Available for hire through the website's Book an Event form.
• The Show Must Go On (TSMGO) Annual flagship ticketed drag show produced by The Rubi Girls, drawing 600–700+ attendees and serving as the largest fundraiser of the performance season. General admission and VIP ticket packages are sold through FlipCause.
• RubiRide Dayton Bus Tour One-hour guided historical bus tour of Dayton visiting locations significant to The Rubi Girls' 42-year history, with stories and Q&A about the troupe. Offered both as a ticketed public experience and as a Club 42 raffle prize, with proceeds supporting the RubiScholarship fund.
• Club 42 Monthly Giving Recurring monthly donation program priced at $42 per month (in honor of 42 years). Donors are entered to win a RubiRide Dayton Bus Tour for themselves and three friends, drawn at The Show Must Go On event.
• Event Sponsorship Tiers Tiered annual sponsorship packages for businesses and individuals: Open Toes ($100+), Rubi Slippers ($500+), Kitten Heel ($1,000+), Pump ($1,500+), Platform ($2,500+), Stiletto ($5,000+), and Thigh-High ($10,000+). Benefits include website listing, travel banner placement, social media recognition, and VIP tickets to TSMGO.
• Rubi Girls Branded Merchandise Online merchandise storefront operated via Square, selling Rubi Girls branded items including collectible trading cards, calendars, wigs, costumes, dog bandanas, half tees, and jock straps.

Quantifiable outcome

• $3M+ raised for HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ causes over 40+ years
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mitosis ProductionscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Mitosis Productions (Tyler Back and team) provides professional video production, website management, and media support. Pledged $100,000 in-kind donation in 2024-2025 for production, website, and media. They created professional photo shoots, the Rubi Cinema video platform, the Rubi Trading Cards merchandise line, and manage the new website launched in June 2023. Responsible for making TSMGO a major production.
• Shon Curtis PhotographyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional photographer credited for promotional photography for the Rubi Girls organization.
• Dayton FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Rubi Girls Scholarship fund is held in perpetuity at the Dayton Foundation, which also administers the scholarship application portal. The foundation provides administrative infrastructure for the scholarship program that has grown significantly since its inception.
• The Dunes ResortminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAnnual performance venue in Douglas, Michigan. The Rubi Girls perform at the Tea Deck on Saturday nights as part of the Dunes Resort's weekend programming. The venue attracts a significant LGBTQ+ audience from the broader Midwest region.
• Drag SyndromeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK-based drag troupe focused on performers with Down syndrome. Collaborated with The Rubi Girls at the EPIC (Elevating Independence) fundraiser in Ravenna, Ohio on 10/10/25. Shared stage performance that raised over $10,000 for adaptive equipment for people with disabilities.
• Piccolo OrsettominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRestaurant/event venue partnered with The Rubi Girls for exclusive dining experiences. Two seatings offered at $50 each on July 18, 2026, with all ticket proceeds going to The Rubi Girls.
• The Foundry (Marriott Dayton)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRooftop venue at the Marriott Dayton that hosted The Rubi Girls for a second 'Top Floor Hits' event. Raised over $6,000 for Crayons to Classrooms, No Kid Hungry, DAI, and DPAA.
• EPIC (Elevating Independence)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNon-profit organization in Ravenna, Ohio providing homes for people with disabilities. Hosted the Drag Syndrome and Rubi Girls collaborative fundraiser on 10/10/25.
• Square One Salon & SpaminorOthersMultiple Rubi Girls members (Dana Sintell/Joshua Stucky, India Summer/Brent Johnson, Minnie Skirt/Alex Everett) are owners or employees of Square One Salon & Spa, a Dayton-based salon and spa.
• Ohio Northern UniversityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAnnual host of 'RubiAffair' drag competition event for students. One of the longest-running traditions in the Rubi Girls calendar, bringing the troupe to campus for a student-led drag competition.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• GLAAD: A national LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization. Comparable as a major LGBTQ+ nonprofit relying on events, sponsorships, and grassroots donor programs, though focused on media representation rather than performance-based fundraising.
• PFLAG: A national LGBTQ+ family-support organization with local chapters. Comparable chapter-based community model and reliance on volunteer leadership, though focused on family advocacy rather than performance.
• Point Foundation: The largest LGBTQ+ scholarship-granting nonprofit in the U.S. Comparable to the Rubi Girls Scholarship program in providing higher-education funding to LGBTQ+ students, but operating nationally with substantially larger resources.
• The Trevor Project: The leading national LGBTQ+ youth crisis and suicide prevention nonprofit. Comparable in serving LGBTQ+ youth and operating a multi-channel donor/sponsor model, but with national scope and crisis-intervention services.
• Human Rights Campaign: One of the largest U.S. LGBTQ+ civil rights advocacy organizations. Comparable in combining grassroots donor fundraising, corporate sponsorships, and event-based community engagement, but at national advocacy scale.

Direct peers

• Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence: An international order of queer and drag nuns who use performance art and camp visibility to raise funds for LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS charities. Closest direct analogue to the Rubi Girls' drag-performance-meets-charitable-fundraising model.
• Drag Syndrome: A UK-based drag troupe composed of performers with Down syndrome that tours internationally to raise funds and awareness; an existing Rubi Girls collaborator. Most directly comparable in mission-driven nonprofit drag performance.
• Imperial Court System: A network of LGBTQ+ charitable chapters that stage drag performances, coronations, and galas to raise funds for community nonprofits. Comparable in combining drag pageantry with structured grantmaking to beneficiary organizations.

Others

• Lambda Legal: A national LGBTQ+ legal organization. Comparable as a major LGBTQ+ nonprofit serving community needs through donor and foundation support, but operating in legal services rather than performance.

Regional players

• Equality Ohio: Ohio's statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. Comparable as an Ohio-rooted LGBTQ+ nonprofit working through community events, donors, and sponsors, though focused on policy rather than performance.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TheRubiGirls
• Facebookfacebook.com/rubigirls
• Instagraminstagram.com/therubigirls

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Rubi Girls