kaleidoscope 2024
Annual REPORT
Table of Contents:
Founders’ Letter
For something to be considered a story, it needs to have a few key ingredients:
Characterization. Rising action. Main characters. A narrator. Problems. Conflicts. Attempts at resolution.
In my opinion, a meaningful story involves complex characters who don’t stay the same; rich and artful turns of phrase; a plot that doesn’t tie every loose end; and opposing forces I relate to more than I’d like to admit.
In Kaleidoscope’s 2024 annual report, I invite you to consider this theme of story. I challenge you to reconsider, as a “character” in an unfolding story of LGBTQ+ spiritual care, questions like,
“Who are the main characters?” “Who or what are the enemies?” “What are the problems that require resolution for the plot to advance?”
Lastly, I want to challenge you to “pick up the pen” – that is, to take an active role in writing a better story. Why? Because the Author of our great story has modeled for us that true love involves writing one’s own self into a dark world in need of color and light.
Whether you’ve named it in this way or not, you already have an irreplaceable role in this story God is writing on Queer communities. The extent to which you etch faith, hope, and love onto its pages – it means everything. Because you and your Queer neighbors mean everything to our souls’ most present Poet.
As I look back on Kaleidoscope’s fourth year, the question ringing in my mind is,
“What does it look like to write a better story for LGBTQ+ people?”
The story of Kaleidoscope is just beginning to unfold. It’s a story being written into much longer stories: the history of gender and sexual minorities. The history of people groups on spiritual journeys. And ultimately, this even bigger story our Creator is writing on our whole universe – and beyond.
These stories are far bigger than any one person, effort, or generation. Yet, we have this one opportunity to take our place in them. So, where will the story go next?
We humans are creatures of story. As much as I love stats, metrics, and reasoning (truly), when I look to the experiences that have shaped me the most, what comes to mind are stories. And while the Christian holy text includes its fair share of genealogies, laws, and census data, I believe it’s no mistake the Scriptures embed even these among a series of stories. Even Jesus chose to reveal some of God’s greatest mysteries to humanity through fictional short stories. It’s almost as though the Author of you and me knows that it’s through telling and living stories that divine realities are brought “down to earth.”
The Unfortunate Truth:
the Stories We Hear
In serving the LGBTQ+ community, we often hear stories of harm and discouragement.
LGBTQ+ Christians and those who don’t profess faith in Christ alike continue to tell us disheartening stories of being kicked out of churches, assured that God can never love them, or even denied basic access to vital resources due to their sexuality or gender. These realities illustrate a systemic and spiritual problem that Kaleidoscope exists to address.
Writing a Better Story
At Kaleidoscope, we refuse to live within a story where LGBTQ+ people are doomed to face unmet needs, isolation, and harm. We believe and have experienced that the love of Jesus is active and tangible and that the Good News of Jesus brings powerful hope into the specifics of Queer people’s stories.
Jesus rejects the status quo of apathy, stuck-ness, and endless debates. His words and actions don’t float above us in some theological sky. Jesus lives in our towns, speaks our languages, and bears our scars. Jesus’ story wakes us up to reality, cuts us to the heart, and compels us to care until our lives are tangled up in those of the people around us.
Jesus’ love enters into suffering, triumph, and mundanity alike – so we can grow with the support of Jesus and His Chosen Family. And so, we do the same among our Queer neighbors.
-
Mission: Providing LGBTQ+ people opportunities to engage with tangible expressions of Christ.
Vision: We long to see every LGBTQ+ person empowered to encounter Jesus and mature authentically within supportive Christian communities.
-
Honor: Since our Creator, neighbors, selves, and environment are worthy of honor, we conduct our relationships with integrity and our work with excellence.
Diversity: Knowing God’s creative glory shines through our ethnicity, culture, faith expression, age, ability, gender identity, and sexuality, we commit to upholding diversity.
Prayer: Because prayer was Jesus’ foundation, we also make it ours. We recognize prayer as God’s relational pathway to bring goodness into the world.
Imagination: As we participate in Jesus’ unfolding story of creation, we uncover present realities with compassionate honesty – and future possibilities with courageous creativity.
APPROACH
While our mission and vision may feel lofty, our strategic approach is anything but. At Kaleidoscope, we carry this out in three ways:
Meeting needs tangibly
Building relationships locally
Preventing harm in real-time
We start right here and right now, among our own actual neighbors in New York City. And along the way, we teach and inspire others to do the same wherever they are.
Main Character Energy
In our opening letter, we invited you to think about who you consider to be the main characters in Kaleidoscope’s story. Our staff team is undoubtedly a group of characters, but we’re definitely not the main ones. We’d have to attribute the starring roles to the people we serve: Queer people on a spiritual journey.
Our staff team is honored to give the best hours of our lives to taking a supporting role behind our bright and shining stars. But our story can’t advance without some other crucial roles – like our board members, volunteers, interns, contractors, donors, church and ministry partners, and importantly, Queer organizational partners.
our staff*
ELIZABETH DELGADO BLACK
she/her
Co-Founder & CEO
MEG BAATZ
she/her
Co-Founder & COO
LOGAN
he/him
Intern
KATIE CROSBY
she/her
Director of Development
FÊ CARVALHO
she/they
Spiritual Support Coordinator & Executive Assistant
RAY LOW
he/him
Director of Spiritual Formation
*Note: Serving LGBTQ+ people publicly does not come without risks. For that reason, some staff details may be left out for the sake of confidentiality.
Starring Roles:
The people we serve hold the leading role in our story. We are committed to making sure LGBTQ+ people feel and see Jesus’ love, favor, and tangible support. This includes Queer people who do not identify as Christian, as well as Queer Christians.
YOU:
This plot is powered by our supportive community of donors, prayer partners, friends, organizational partners, and loved ones. Writing a better story for Queer people truly takes every last one of us!
Learn more about our messaging during Pride by watching this TikTok video.
You may be wondering, “Where is God in this story?”
This is exactly the question we believe God is inviting us to ask every step of the way. It is when people seek God’s face and presence that faith grows.
Spoiler alert: the author of the book of Hebrews identifies Jesus as the “author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).
Jesus is our Creator, our Author, who not only holds the memory and care of our stories forever but also the God who enters into our stories right now – empowering us to trust God with the unfolding of our stories.
Meeting Needs Tangibly
Meeting Needs Tangibly
-
This Christmas, my (Elizabeth’s) teenage son Jude, my housemate Masha, and I volunteered with the Black Trans Liberation Kitchen’s Transmas gathering. This was the first year anyone from Kaleidoscope attended the event, but certainly won’t be our last! This gathering brought in over 100 trans people from across New York City to celebrate Christmas together as chosen family (an intentional or selected community that functions as siblings, parents, and extended family members). During this event, we served food for all the guests, many of whom didn’t have a place to go on Christmas or struggled to afford a hot holiday meal.
What was most striking was the palpable presence of God already at work among the community. Most of the guests were not just recipients of the night’s meal; they also took shifts, cooking, serving, and cleaning: a true family affair. As I served, I spoke with many in attendance and heard their stories of finding Black Trans Liberation Kitchen because they longed for a community that was different from their experiences at home. I was able to befriend Nate*, a Christian black trans guy who just moved back to NYC to find rest and healing from a difficult work environment, and Mike*, also a newly returning trans artist who’s working to make trans male stories known. I also had the privilege of joining in worship with the Black Trans Gospel Choir as they sang old spirituals.
I watched as trans men, women, and gender non-conforming folks lifted their hands in praise and shouted “hallelujah!” I was not only able to serve a hot meal but also partner in fostering a hospitable place of healing and worship. I have reached out to Black Trans Liberation Kitchen and am looking forward to ways we can have a more substantial partnership in tangibly serving some of the more marginalized in our city.
-
Kaleidoscope continues to partner with New Alternatives, a local Queer organization serving LGBTQ+ people in need. Multiple times a year, Kaleidoscope brings folks from our Bible study communities, as well as Church partners, to prepare a meal for their approximately 40 participants to eat and receive support. The last time I volunteered, I unexpectedly became physically weak and struggled to stay on my feet in the hot kitchen. I became so discouraged with myself, knowing I was there to cook and now I was relegated to sit and drink water in the dining hall.
Thankfully, while the rest of our team cooked and plated food, God reminded me his work was not limited to cutting and stirring; he had other plans to bless the community. I was able to sit with Timothy* who shared with me his experience of going home for Thanksgiving last year and being yelled at by his Christian mother, who said God would not bless him in finding a partner because he was not a man and was living in sin. Timothy explained that his mother was a church leader and in seminary and would use the Bible to chastise him instead of inspiring him to consider Christ. All Timothy wanted was to sit with his family for the holidays, but instead, he received a public scolding and lecture.
I listened and apologized to Timothy on behalf of the Church. I told him I too was in seminary, and I don’t think his mother’s way of communicating the Bible was one that truly reflected Jesus. I told him I would be praying for his relationship with his mother. I also prayed that he will discover the gospel through someone who will both listen considerately and lovingly reveal the person of Christ. When I left, Timothy thanked me for our talk and asked if he would see me again. With joy and compassion, I assured him I would come back and see him again soon.
-
Number of events participated in with Queer-led organizations: 23
Number of Queer-led organizations we directly partnered with this year: 10
Number of volunteers serving at these events through Kaleidoscope: 50+
Jesus often displayed his love by tending to people’s physical needs. At Kaleidoscope, we strive to do the same. As long as the LGBTQ+ community disproportionately experiences crises in housing, food insecurity, and familial abandonment, a core part of our mission will be to provide for tangible needs. When you give, you affirm that people’s bodies, just like their spirits, deserve care, attention, and compassion.
Building Relationships Locally
Building Relationships Locally
-
Part of my (Ray’s) conviction this past year was to build more relationships with Queer folks outside of religious environments. One of the criticisms, and validly so, of Christian culture is how insular it can be, and so I never want to feel like I’m personally or professionally existing in an echo chamber or my own comfort zone. Through some timely invitations, I’ve been connecting with a lot of young professional LGBTQ+ Asian Americans through social gatherings and Mahjong events. By simply showing up, being present and conversational, and offering to drive people safely back home after a long night, I’ve been able to build connections with people I never would have met if I had stayed within my own Christian bubbles.
Some of the people I’ve met also work in the areas of advocacy and community service for LGBTQ+ folks, which has opened the door for potential partnerships that can be a blessing to Kaleidoscope just as much as to the people we serve. We even were able to connect with a newly opened queer owned bar that happily hosted our Beers & Queers monthly gathering! I hope to continue developing mutual relationships locally with people from all kinds of ethnic and spiritual backgrounds so that we at Kaleidoscope can truly be a neighbor to our city and our community.
-
Number of One on Ones per year: 270
People engaged in One on Ones: 53
Queer bars hosting Beers & Queers events: 12
Queer people we met at aforementioned bars: 56
People engaged this year in One on Ones, Bible Study, and monthly gatherings: 150
LGBTQ+ New Yorkers engaged with through community outreach events: 10,000+
View some highlights from our NYC Pride outreaches here and here
When engaging with people from diverse backgrounds, we approach every interaction with the belief that each person in front of us will enrich our own spiritual lives as much, if not more, than we enrich theirs. Rest assured that when you donate, we will approach these relationships with the respect, mutuality, and dignity that each person deserves.
Preventing Harm in Real Time
Preventing Harm in Real Time
-
Early in the year, Pastor Clayton* took his church’s leadership team through Kaleidoscope’s Pastor Intensive. As part of the course, pastors participate in an LGBTQ+ cultural immersion project. Over the many months Clayton had been seeking to connect with LGBTQ+ community leaders in his city, he met Juan Miguel*, the leader of his city’s local Pride Center. Clayton described Juan Miguel to me (Meg) as a “person of peace.” In October, Clayton invited Kaleidoscope to support his church and Juan Miguel’s Pride Center in hosting an interactive exhibit in honor of Matthew Shepard.
At the end of a fundraising 5k, runners joined us inside the Pride Center to write down the names of people they wanted to honor or remember. Members of Clayton’s church congregation, from across orientations and identities, volunteered to run the exhibit. One of the church’s elders contributed a beautiful prayer of lament for the loss of Matthew Shepard’s life.
It was a dream come true to see congregants of the church offering their Saturday to listen to LGBTQ+ neighbors in the griefs they carry, and for LGBTQ+ folks to experience tangible love from a local church. While Clayton’s church was running the exhibit, Juan Miguel gave me a personal tour of the center. He shared the story of being thrust into leadership in a time of need for the community, and with the help of his team, transforming it into a haven for LGBTQ+ youth in need. He told me, “Even though the building was challenging to find – and people have since vandalized it or tried to shut us down – I knew we needed to be right downtown, because we are visible to LGBTQ+ youth in need of our lifesaving services.” The building has become a beautifully designed center that includes a free food pantry, clothing bank, sexual health resource center, and a youth after-school space.
I could hear in Juan Miguel’s voice the deep love he has for youth, and the passion that burns inside of him to be a consistent adult presence for youth. Juan Miguel credited his own parents, who have loved him deeply, for teaching him how to love LGBTQ+ teens so well. After the event, Pastor Clayton took his team, our team, and Juan Miguel out to lunch. Juan Miguel was deeply grateful for the church’s partnership and insisted he and the church partner together more in the future.
-
Aspiring Allies trained to date: 43
Aspiring Allies Facilitators trained to date: 8
Pastors & Ministers trained to date: 30
Cohorts run in 2024: 2
Cohorts expected in 2025: 5
Each year, followers of Jesus are growing in everyday missional allyship with empowerment from Kaleidoscope. We have mobilized allies in more than 20 cities around the U.S. and world. Next year, our new facilitators will help us train even more Aspiring Allies per year to share Jesus’ love tangibly among their own neighbors.
It only takes one safe person for a Queer person to feel seen, known and dignified. Imagine what our faith communities can look like if everyday followers of Christ, in every city, felt empowered to simply be active and present among LGBTQ+ people and communities in the challenges they face every day! The equipping work we do both prevents future harm and enables community healing right now.
The church is often the place LGBTQ+ people experience the most harm. If you desire to see the cycle of spiritual abandonment end in our lifetime, consider supporting Kaleidoscope. Together, we can write a story that accurately reflects the expansive love of Christ, especially within our churches.
Check your Kaleidoscope program knowledge
Answer the following multiple-choice questions to get to know our programming in 2024!
walk through the different programs we have with the different organizations we partner with.
but wait,
there is more!
Continue reading our 2024 Annual Report below.
Our Financial Story
This chapter marked a year we strategically pursued financial consistency.
This has only been made possible by our generous support community, who have grown alongside us and stood beside us in our mission.
Jesus at Pride:
Our community loves seeing Queer folks engaged during the festivities of Pride month. In 2023, we raised $16,070 toward our June outreach events and follow-up. This year, we raised $22,743, marking a record year!
Monthly Matching Campaign:
A generous major donor initiated a $50,000 matching campaign for new monthly donors to double their giving for all 12 months of their first year. In response to this game-changing match, 31 new donors signed on. As of the publishing of this report, our matching campaign has added an additional $20,000 in consistent annual income.
The Prism:
In 2024, we saw 60 new donors join our support community, with 75 existing donors giving once again at least once during the year. To steward our relationships with these donors, we launched The Prism, an interactive community space for our monthly donors to receive prayer updates, share insights, and get to know each other.
Year-End:
This year, we invited those considering a large year-end gift to consider giving at a sustainable monthly amount instead. While our immediate dollars were lower, we exceeded our year-end monthly donor goal by 4%.
Seeking Grants, Church Partners, & Major Donors:
While our church partners also stayed with us, one of our favorite grant foundations closed its doors. In 2025, we are eager to connect with new major donors, grants, and church partners.
Donor Stats
Total Raise (2024): $315,384 (+15% from $274,235)
Monthly Donors: 62 (+24% from 50)
Campaign Donors: 83 (+2% from 81)
-
Average: $138.21/mo
Median: $51.48/mo
-
Average: $254.20
Median: $102.90
-
This Year’s Raise: $22,743 (+42% from $16,070)
-
Goal by year-end: 30% ($1250/mo in new monthly revenue)
Goal reached: 40% ($1667/mo in new monthly revenue)
-
$23,043 (-39% from $37,654)
-
Marble Church Easter Offering Grant
Triangle Community Foundation
Testimonials
"By supporting this cause, you're not just funding an event; you're actively participating in the mission to bring the transformative power of the Gospel to all, regardless of their background or orientation."
– Jessica, Kaleidoscope Donor
"I really appreciate that Kaleidoscope seeks to bring people together from both sides of the theological spectrum around sexuality. And I really think that Kaleidoscope's outreach to the Queer community from other LGBTQ+ Christians is really significant. There are not many organizations I know that really strive to create a place for Queer people to safely explore and learn about Jesus. That's why I support Kaleidoscope."
– Alex Shippee
The quality I love most in the Lord is His gentleness, and His gentleness in His relentless pursuit towards us. Jesus knows the exact number of hearts and lives that have been affected by the raging theological and culture wars in terms of the topic of Queer sexuality (hint: it's all of us, and it's also true that some lives have been torn apart and more impacted than others).
I believe His response to such impacted people would be more shockingly gentle than most people are comfortable with, and I also believe Kaleidoscope's posture in meeting people where they're at, and walking beside them in humility, while pointing them to Jesus, is the type of discipleship model that the entire church/world needs more of.
– Jamie Yu
2024 R&E
REVENUE
Individual donors jumped from 28% to 33% of our funding!
60 of our 135 donors gave for the first time in 2024.
One of our grant partners closed their doors.
expenses
80% of our expenses went toward paying our dedicated staff.
We invested 8% of our budget into a financially sustainable future.
As in prior years, we kept our program overhead expenses low.
The Next Chapter…
In the coming year, the need to share Jesus’ love tangibly with LGBTQ+ people is vital. Kaleidoscope will be continuing our direct ministry efforts, empowering others to learn from what we’re learning, and seeking to do these things sustainably for years to come. This will look like filling in gaps in our current offerings for Queer New Yorkers, expanding local NYC ministry and partnerships, and investing in Aspiring Allies curriculum development.
Pick Up the Pen.
We wouldn’t dream of doing this work without you. Together, we can continue to meet the tangible needs of LGBTQ+ people in crisis, build relationships across lines, and prevent spiritual harm.
But we need your help to keep writing a better story!
There are a few ways you can pick up the pen and contribute:
Join The Prism: Our Monthly Donor Community
If you plan on donating in 2025, consider dividing that number by 12 and joining The Prism. When you sign up to become a monthly donor, each gift will be doubled for the next 12 months.
Double Your Gift—Double Your Impact:
$25/month: Helps us meet with one person in need.
$50/month: Provides hospitality with snacks and resources at LGBTQ+ Bible Study.
$100/month: Allows us to connect with 50 LGBTQ+ individuals through local partnerships.
$250/month: Trains two Aspiring Allies to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community
As a member of The Prism, you’ll receive:
Exclusive Zoom Sessions: Two “Prayer and Q&A” events with Kaleidoscope staff each year.
Connect and Collaborate: Join our WhatsApp group to build community and receive prayer updates.
Event Perks: Free tickets to all our social and fundraising events in 2025.
To start your first gift, visit kaleidoscopeusa.org/give.
2. Matching Opportunities for Major Donors ($10,000+ gifts)
Are you a major donor looking to make a lasting difference? Ask us about our exclusive matching opportunities for larger gifts.
There are several ways to give:
Cash Donations: your cash donation helps us meet urgent needs and grow our programs.
Stock Donations: avoid capital gains taxes while making a significant gift.
Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs): ensure your charitable goals are realized while receiving immediate tax benefits.
Legacy & Planned Gifts: consider naming Kaleidoscope in your will or estate plan to support future generations of LGBTQ+ individuals.
To set up a conversation with our development team, please contact us at give@kaleidoscopeusa.org.
3. Share Our Story With LGBTQ+ Loved Ones and Your Church
Know an LGBTQ+ person seeking support in their relationship with God? Remember to tell them about Kaleidoscope! We are always eager to meet new LGBTQ+ people who desire a space to explore faith. If you are LGBTQ+ and need support, we are here for you! Contact us at info@kaleidoscopeusa.org.
Do you want your church to be a more inclusive space for LGBTQ+ folks? Our ministry staff is available to guest speak, consult, and train churches excited about caring for LGBTQ+ people.
Please direct any potential church partners to kaleidoscopeusa.org/speaking.
4. Sign up for Aspiring Allies
Are you a person of faith interested in growing in LGBTQ+ allyship? Consider joining an Aspiring Allies cohort. Scholarships, sponsorships, and support-raising opportunities are available, and if you sign up as a new monthly donor at $30/month or more, you are eligible to participate in the course at no cost!
To learn more and submit your application, please visit kaleidoscopeusa.org/allies.
