WHO WE ARE

For four years, Killjoy Reads has convened hundreds of people across cities and continents to read deeply, think critically, and build community outside of traditional institutions. What began as a book club has transformed into something much larger. We serve hundreds annually in New York City, Philadelphia, and online, and we currently host:

Monthly book clubs and long-form reading cohorts
Writing and zine workshops
Artist and author showcases
Language preservation spaces
Community archiving and publishing projects

We are excited to formalize Killjoy Reads and launch Killjoy Institute — a queer- and trans-led, community-based educational and cultural arts initiative dedicated to expanding access to humanities education, creative expression, and cultural preservation.

WHY WE NEED YOU

We are living through a moment when global powers are openly attacking trans people, Black and brown communities, immigrants, and youth. Our team and communities represent many of these identities. Killjoy Institute exists because too many of us have been excluded from traditional political, academic, and cultural spaces. We convene those who are directly impacted by these conditions to move from fear to clarity so we can understand and change the world around us.

We need YOUR support to raise $50k by June 2026 to expand our programs in NYC, Philly, and online and to build our infrastructure to:

Provide sliding-scale access so no one is turned away ($4,000)
Compensate facilitators and artists with integrity ($8,000)
Publish community-authored works ($5,000)
Sustain a small staff navigating chronic illness and disability ($30,000)
Build out our venue & program infrastructure ($3,000)
Obtain fiscal sponsorship! (8-12% of our revenue to pay for payroll, benefits, etc.)

We practice transparency because we value community trust. If you have any questions about our efforts, please reach out to killjoyinstitute@gmail.com.

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT

Suggested starting contribution: $25–$500+

We use a redistribution model rooted in honesty and shared responsibility. We encourage you to use our Community Contribution Guide to give at a higher level if the following are true for you:

If you are navigating financial stress, we invite you to give what feels sustainable or support us by sharing our fundraiser.

You can also join us as a member to get access to our programs here! Note: Membership dues are separate from donating, and donating alone doesn't grant you access to membership. Membership is accessible to everyone regardless of financial privilege. Find more information about our sliding scale through the sign-up link.

Meet the Killjoy Team! Follow us on Instagram to learn more about our programming and the community behind the scenes.Stay up to date on our offerings and launch by signing up for the public Killjoy Newsletter!

Build the Institute

By Killjoy Institute

Build the Institute

Launch Fund for Killjoy Institute