Where we came from

OUR FOUNDER

Justin Hucke is an active member of the LGBTQ+ community. Having started several businesses, and participated in both public and private sectors, he works to bring people together, help grow businesses, and consult for small businesses and nonprofits.
In 2021, Justin started the Wigs & Waffles event to benefit LGBTQ+ youth in Cincinnati. Having raised nearly $100,000 for Lighthouse Youth & Family Services, he has expanded his reach through Queen City Charities.
Justin is a native Cincinnatian. If Justin isn’t raising money for nonprofits or consulting, he spends time with his dog, Frank, working to connect people, and even slays on the pickleball court.

OUR story

It all began with a drink in hand…

What initially started as an idea for a charitable happy hour has blossomed into a broader organization with a mission to attract likeminded individuals who celebrate and uplift the Greater Cincinnati LGBTQ+ community.
In a world as vibrant and colorful as ours, life is rarely black and white. Queen City Charities seeks to build bridges throughout the region by hosting a variety of fundraising events that celebrate the beauty and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community.
The spark that launched a drag-themed happy hour in 2021 ultimately became the foundation for our annual signature event, Wigs & Waffles. Over the last two years, our events have raised over $140,000 for local charities and cultivated a burning commitment to continue serving our community by raising at least $1 million by 2025.

GRANTMAKING

In a world as vast and diverse as ours, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and discouraged by all the problems, needs, and challenges we see around us, every day.

At Queen City Charities, we’ve made the commitment to focus our efforts on uplifting local and regional organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community. We know we can’t solve every problem, but we can leverage our efforts in meaningful ways that affect both long- and short-term change right here in our own backyard.

As a charity fundraising organization, our primary focus is to fund grants to be used within our community. Like many other fundraising organizations, charities interested in applying for one of our grants must meet three primary requirements.

1. The charity must be a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization
2. The grant must further the mission of Queen City Charities to celebrate and uplift the Greater Cincinnati LGBTQ+ community
3. All grant funds must support specific LGBTQ+ programming and may not be used for daily business operations

All grants are awarded following a board review in partnership with other community leaders in the region. For more information about our grant process, please email our board president or treasurer.