TASTE Takeover, a queer Latina and veteran-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., is seeking funding to support the **production of Mamacita Festival**—the first music and cultural festival in the United States *created by and for queer Latinas*—and the development of **year-round events that center Latinx LGBTQ+ visibility, celebration, and access to community resources**.
### Project Purpose:
This project addresses a critical gap in cultural representation, community engagement, and safe public spaces for **Latinx LGBTQ+ individuals**, particularly **queer women, trans, non-binary, Afro-Latinx, immigrant, and disabled communities** who are too often marginalized or excluded from both Latinx and LGBTQ+ mainstream events. We aim to create **intentional, inclusive, and celebratory spaces** that elevate joy, community healing, and cultural pride through music, art, wellness, and direct community interaction.
### Project Goals:
1. **Execute Mamacita Festival 2025**, a full-scale public music and arts festival in Washington, D.C., with local and international talent, Latin food vendors, community-led panels, wellness workshops, and a dedicated resource village.
2. **Expand our community event series**, including pop-up celebrations, cultural heritage programming, and educational partnerships that continue throughout the year.
3. **Provide stipends and economic opportunities** for BIPOC artists, vendors, DJs, wellness leaders, and performers from within the Latinx LGBTQ+ community.
4. **Build infrastructure for long-term growth**, including digital tools, staffing, and partnerships that enable our organization to sustain and scale our impact.
### Key Components:
#### 1. **Mamacita Festival**
A one-day flagship music and arts festival designed as a first-of-its-kind celebration of queer Latinx culture. This includes:
* **Live music performances** from rising and international Latinx LGBTQ+ artists across genres (perreo, champeta, salsa, reggaetón, Latin pop, and more)
* **Latina & queer-centered DJ stage**, featuring local and national talent
* **Vendor village** with Latinx-owned businesses, queer artists, and creators
* **Community healing and wellness zone** with guided meditation, sound healing, and mental health resources
* **Resource & advocacy hub** featuring LGBTQ+, immigration, health, and family support organizations
* **Family-friendly zone** with bilingual children’s programming
* **Interactive art installations and cultural storytelling**
* Anticipated attendance: 3,000–5,000+
#### 2. **Year-Round Community Events**
Our programming extends beyond a single festival. We will host:
* **Monthly nightlife events** like *Perreo Vieja Escuela* that create safe, celebratory spaces for queer Latinx adults
* **Seasonal community pop-ups** like pool parties, karaoke nights, and cultural dinners that increase social connection
* **Cultural and wellness programming** during Pride Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and International Women’s Day
* **Workshops and roundtables** on topics such as entrepreneurship, immigration, queer parenting, and mental health
* **Collaborations with local embassies, artists, and nonprofits** to increase our cultural footprint and reach
#### 3. **Equity & Access**
Our project is rooted in economic and cultural equity:
* 70%+ of vendors, performers, and staff are **women, non-binary, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, or immigrants**
* Events are **free or sliding scale** whenever possible
* We offer **affiliate-based ticket programs**, enabling community members to earn income by promoting our events
* Accessibility is prioritized through bilingual signage, ADA-compliant venues, and sliding-scale vendor opportunities
### Expected Outcomes:
* **Direct engagement of 8,000+ community members** across 12 months
* **50+ paid opportunities** for Latinx queer artists, DJs, and wellness practitioners
* **Increased access** to culturally appropriate mental health, immigration, and healthcare resources
* **Growth in community trust**, partnerships, and infrastructure for future expansion
### Who We Serve:
* LGBTQ+ Latinx communities in the DMV area (Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia)
* Afro-Latinx, Indigenous, and non-Spanish-speaking immigrants
* Low-income families, veterans, undocumented individuals, and disabled community members
* Allies and accomplices who share our values of equity and joy
### Organizational Capacity:
TASTE Takeover’s team includes experts in project management, veteran services, healthcare systems, event production, and community organizing. Our founders bring 20+ years of combined leadership across federal, nonprofit, and creative sectors. We have successfully produced multiple large-scale events and are fiscally responsible and community accountable.
We currently operate as a **fully volunteer-led nonprofit** and are seeking funds to:
* Secure festival permitting, insurance, and production vendors
* Pay artists and DJs fair wages
* Hire bilingual community coordinators and part-time admin staff
* Develop accessible and culturally affirming marketing, signage, and outreach materials
### Budget Overview (approximate):
* Festival production: \$75,000
* Year-round event series: \$35,000
* Artist/vendor stipends: \$20,000
* Staff/coordination: \$15,000
* Marketing & accessibility: \$10,000
**Total Request: \$155,000**
### Conclusion:
This project represents a critical investment in culture, equity, and celebration for LGBTQ+ Latinx communities. With your support, TASTE Takeover will bring **Mamacita Festival** and our broader mission to life—creating joy, amplifying underrepresented voices, and laying the foundation for national replication of this model.
We are ready to lead. We are ready to grow. And we’re inviting you to build this vision with us.
