Often political and always hilarious, Non-Profit Comedy has been been featured
in the Seattle P-I and has raised over $40,000 for worthy non-profits.
Current one-night record: $5,100 for Puget Sound Community School!!!

"Congratulations on a fabulous show. This was a great event, a wonderful way for us to
get outside the proverbial box, and to laugh! I'll have to become a devotee of your
other shows (if I can figure out how to do that with two little ones at home...)"
-- Peter Drury, Development Director, Sightline Institute

Coming back in September, new location!

Show details: At the Comedy Underground, now at 109 S. Washington St. in Pioneer Square, two blocks from its old location. Showtime 8:30-10pm, suggested arrival time 8pm. Cover is $12 ($6 w/ student ID), at least half gets donated; there is no drink minimum but food and beverages are available. Tickets at the door or get a guaranteed reservation and $2 off each full-price ticket by emailing yoram@standupeconomist.com with your name and the number in your party by noon on the day of the show. (You still pay at the door.) The Comedy Underground is open to all ages except Fri/Sat, but it is always a free speech zone, so think twice if you're easily offended or bringing impressionable youths. The club is down a flight of stairs but elevator access is available if arranged in advance. Free street parking is often available nearby, as are pay parking lots and most downtown buses.

Behind-the-scenes details for non-profit partners and for comics

Scroll down for Is Non-PC right for me?, for Non-PC in the news, to sign up for email updates, and to read about shows in 2007 and 2006.

Recent shows (in reverse chronological order): Wednesday May 21 Yoram did a "stand-up economics" show at Ingraham High School as part of a student fundraising effort in Ben Hazelwood's econ class that raised $1,050 for Kiva. Tuesday May 13 Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest brought out a great crowd and raised $1,928! Sunday May 11 and Monday May 12 we put on special benefit shows that raised a total of $2,300 for Sightline Institute. Tuesday May 6 Jay Sierra featured and Vince Valenzuela headlined a show that raised $404 for CASA Latina. Tuesday Apr. 1 we battled the Mariners opening week and raised about $140 for Safe Schools Coalition. Tuesday Mar. 25 Barbara Sehr guest-produced a show that raised almost $250 for Ingersoll Gender Center. Tuesday Mar. 18 Amigos de las Americas, Seattle brought out a great crowd and raised $600+. Tuesday Feb. 26 we raised $178 for Compassion and Choices of Washington. Tuesday Feb. 19 our pack of dog-loving comics helped raise $200+ for Citizens for Off-Leash Areas. Wednesday Feb. 13 we raised about $150 for UW Young Democrats. Tuesday Feb. 12 Barbara Sehr guest produced a show that raised $180 for Heuga Center for Multiple Sclerosis. Tuesday Feb. 5 we battled Mardi Gras and Super Tuesday to raise $100 for the Tenants Union. Tuesday Jan. 29 Puget Sound Community School packed the house and brought to stage four Seattle Comedy Competition winners (David Crowe, Elliot Maxx, Peggy Platt, Rod Long), Las Vegas Comedy Festival winner Brad Upton, and more, raising $5,104 between ticket sales, raffles, and a live auction, plus an additional $1,200 in matching Comic Relief funds for First Place School. Tuesday Jan. 22 we started off the new year right with a great show that raised $345 for Cascade People's Center.

Is Non-Profit Comedy right for me?

Probably, but take this self-test to make sure

Although the Comedy Underground is now smoke-free (!), comics can still be filthy and potentially offensive. If this is a matter of concern, please use the following self-test to determine if this benefit show is right for you: Consider the excerpt below from the New York Times. After reading the first few paragraphs, is your initial reaction closer to (a) "This is terribly wrong, and it is not at all funny" or (b) "This is terribly wrong, but it is absolutely f@$%ing hilarious"? If your initial reaction is closer to (a), you might consider finding another way to support your favorite nonprofits; if your initial reaction is closer to (b), we'll see you on a Tuesday night in the near future!

"The Pitch: A Series About Wacky Terrorists" by David Halbfinger, New York Times, 9/1/05

Here are a few highlights from the hottest Hollywood script you will most likely never see produced on a television or movie screen:

Abu, Ahmed, Musab and Salar, a cell of Islamic terrorists sent to Chicago by a nefarious network resembling Al Qaeda, are getting chewed out by their murderous boss, just in from Afghanistan. (They have been spending the organization's money like crazy but haven't blown anything up.) Just then, two deliverymen knock on the apartment door, bearing a huge flat-screen TV.

Ahmed, whose cover is a job as a bike messenger, falls in love with a neighborhood florist -- who turns out to be Jewish -- but can't get up the nerve to ask her out. ''You're bright, you're funny, you're talented,'' Musab says, urging his comrade on. ''Who made the best nail bomb in training camp? You did!''

Abu blends in by joining a bowling team, and becomes a fanatic: ''We will dance in the blood of the losers from Hal's Body and Paint Shop!'' he vows. But he is a hapless terrorist. A fertilizer bomb in his trunk accidentally goes off outside when he is bowling for the league championship -- toppling his last two pins and clinching victory.

''The Cell,'' as this exercise in envelope-pushing is titled, has been making its way through Hollywood for more than a year, cracking up development executives and their assistants, being passed from friend to friend like an underground newspaper behind the Iron Curtain, and winning its creators, Mark Jordan Legan and Mark F. Wilding, scores of meetings and three other writing assignments...

But the accolades invariably led nowhere. This, it seems, is a comedic concept too explosive to touch...

While the script's heroes are ostensibly out to kill and paralyze Americans with fear, the running joke of ''The Cell'' is that they quickly fall in love with Americans and Americana. They order Domino's Pizza and heat up Hot Pockets, and get weak-kneed over super-sizes and double coupons and sexy college women. They become Chicago Cubs fans -- these are hapless terrorists, after all -- and derive their cultural literacy straight from television and the movies: their secret password is ''Kelly Ripa''...

Non-Profit Comedy in the news!

11/21/07: Seattle Weekly includes Non-Profit Comedy in their calendar of recommended events: "...[T]here are better jokes to be heard at the Comedy Underground's weekly Non-Profit Comedy night--so do something good with your 12 bucks and your affluent guilt over the Thanksgiving feast."

10/9/07: Jew-ish.com did a nice story to promote our show that night for the Jewish Federation Young Leadership Division.

3/21/07: The Seattle Weekly recommended the Non-Profit Comedy show for Sightline Institute, part of the first-ever environmental comedy festival.

3/4/07: "The Forecast for the Forecasters Is Dismal", Daniel Gross's Economic View column in the New York Times, included a quote from stand-up economist Yoram Bauman.

1/29/07: "Do-gooders and good humor mix well on Non-Profit Nights, and that's no joke", Athima Chansanchai's Seattle P-I feature story on Non-Profit Comedy, took up the entire front page of the Arts section of the P-I. The article also has profiles of regular Non-PC performers Meghan Hounshell, Hari Kondabolu, Rosalie Gale, Douglas Gale (aka "Rosalie's other half"), and Yoram Bauman.

11/22/06: "Laugh Riot", Brian Miller's Seattle Weekly cover story on the 2006 comedy competition, features Non-Profit Comedy regular Douglas Gale. See also the funny LTEs from Non-Profit Comedy regulars Yoram Bauman and Heneghen, featuring this quote: "After two years on the Seattle comedy scene, I was convinced that no other profession could match our collective fixation with blow jobs, hoary stereotypes, and cynicism. But silly me---I forgot journalism!"

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Shows in 2007 (Total amount raised: $18,376!!)

In reverse chronological order: Tuesday Dec. 18 we ended the year with a great show that raised $300+ for Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition. Tuesday Dec. 11 Beka Barry headlined and Craig Gass did a guest set on a show that raised $513 for NARAL Pro-Choice Washington. Kortney Shane Williams was the chief bright spot in the show on Tuesday Nov. 27 that raised $39 for Shoreline Community College DECA Club. Tuesday Nov. 20 we raised $232 for Home Alive. Tuesday Nov. 13 we raised $219 for Ruby Room. Tuesday Oct. 30 Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest rocked the house with a laugh-loving crowd of 100 and raised $1,100. Tuesday Oct. 23 we raised $63 for Rise n' Shine. Tuesday Oct. 16 Rosalie Gale told me to stay home, she'd take care of it, and she and other fine comics (Douglas Gale, Kevin Hyder, Aziza Diaz, Andy Haynes) put on a fine show that raised $150 for the North Kitsap Options Program. Tuesday Oct. 9 we had a great show that raised $500 for the Jewish Federation Young Leadership Division. Tuesday Oct. 2 Youth Tutoring Program did their usual stellar job of rocking the house, and we helped them raise $647. Tuesday Sept. 25 David Crowe did a guest set and we had a fabulous show, raising $295 for Safe Schools Coalition. Tuesday Sept. 18 Barbara Sehr produced a show that raised $414 for SEAMEC. Tuesday Sept. 11 our non-profit partner bailed at the last minute but we still raised $50 for Comic Relief. Tuesday Sept. 4 Last Comic Standing runner-up Ty Barnett did a guest set and we raised $400 for the Refugee and Immigrant Family Center; we also did a show at Jazzbones in Tacoma that raised $300 for Emergency Food Network. Tuesday Aug. 21 we raised $346 for Citizens for Off-Leash Areas. Tuesday Aug. 14 Barbara Sehr guest produced a show that raised $152 for the Ingersoll Gender Center. Tuesday Aug. 7 we raised $1,225 for Downtown Emergency Service Center in a star-studded show featuring Last Comic Standing runner-up Ty Barnett, Las Vegas Comedy Festival winner Brad Upton, Duane Goad, and Seattle Comedy Competition runner-up Heneghen! Tuesday July 24 we celebrated the last show of Hari Kondabolu with a great show that raised $430 for BABES Network! Tuesday July 17 we raised about $150 for the Backbone Campaign. Tuesday July 3 Douglas Gale MCed the show for Literary Council of Seattle, raising $201. Tuesday June 26 we raised $366 for Safe Schools Coalition, with special appearances from Jennifer Self, Jennifer Jasper, and Barbara Sehr. Tuesday June 19 Hari Kondabolu and Vince Valenzuela performed at a great show for Multifaith Works, who brought out 75 people, matched donations 3-to-1, and raised $2,376! Tuesday June 12 Hari Kondabolu and a million other comics put together an awesome show that raised $240 for NARAL Pro-Choice Washington. Tuesday June 5 we raised about $250 for University District Service Providers Alliance. Tuesday May 29 Hari Kondabolu, and Brad Upton headlined a great show that raised $546 for CASA Latina. Wednesday May 23 Heneghen, Hari Kondabolu, Harrold Gomez et al. put on a great show that raised $84 for UW Young Democrats. Tuesday May 22 we put on a great show for John Spady and a small but dedicated crowd that raised $54 for the Municipal League of King County. Tuesday May 15 Brad Upton headlined a great show that raised $279+ for Washington Public Campaigns. Tuesday May 8 we raised $55 for Home Alive. Tuesday May 1 we raised $292 for Camp Ten Trees. Tuesday Apr. 24 we welcomed the return of Meghan Hounshell and raised about $100 for Family Support Network International, whose founder, Cheryl Honey, just won a Jefferson Award! Tuesday April 17 Beka Barry headlined the show for Planned Parenthood, raising $342. Tuesday April 10 Foolproof failed to show up, so we did a short show for Dennis/Jim/Ryan/Monti/etc and gave everyone refunds. Tuesday April 3 we went head-to-head with the Mariners opening series and raised $190 for Real Change; Ruben Rajah had a great set, and we all dealt with good-natured heckling from Jeff and Brittney. Mon-Wed March 26-28 we had an Environmental Comedy Festival, raising $567 for Sightline Institute, $491 for Hazel Wolf Environmental Film Network, and $240 for 911 Media Arts Center. Tuesday March 20 we raised $75 for Puget Sound Productions. Tuesday March 13 Seattle Comedy Competition winners Peggy Platt and Kermet Apio and three Puget Sound Community School students starred in a fabulous show that raised $1,415 (a new record high!) for PSCS. Wednesday March 7 we had a wonderful show (surprise guest sets from Harrold Gomez, Last Comic Standing runner-up Ty Barnett, and Comedy Underground manager Ron Reid) and raised $216 for Anti-Defamation League. Tuesday March 6 we did two shows, raising $651 for NARAL Pro-Choice Washington at Jazzbones in Tacoma and $237 for Mae West Festival (starring Peggy Platt!) in Seattle. Tuesday February 27 we raised $213 for Futurewise. Tuesday February 13 we had a great show (with Seattle Comedy Competition winner Harrold Gomez, Peter Greyy, Hari Kondabolu, etc.) and raised $392 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Tuesday February 6 Seattle Comedy Competition winner Harrold Gomez and runner-up Heneghen made guest appearances and we raised $196 for Seattle Tilth. Tuesday January 30 Brad Upton headlined the show for Washington Trails Association, raising $398. Tuesday January 23 Owen Straw guest-produced the show and raised $135 for Seattle Hempfest , starring Seattle Comedy Competition winner Harrold Gomez and runner-up Heneghen. Tuesday January 16 we overcame more lousy weather to put on a really fun show---thanks to Last Comic Standing runner-up Ty Barnett for putting in a surprise appearance!---and raised about $100 for Cascade People's Center. Tuesday January 9 we overcame lousy weather and a loud group of hard-drinking young women and raised about $150 for UW Bothell's Delta Epsilon Chi. (Jan-March total: $5,476)

Shows in 2006 (Total amount raised: $14,387!!)

In reverse chronological order: Tuesday December 19 featured guest producer Kelli Robson, a surprise appearance from Last Comic Standing runner-up Ty Barnett (!), and a packed house that brought in $966 for Safe Schools Coalition! Tuesday December 12 NARAL Pro-Choice Washington had their second show of the year, and it was worth it: they brought 109 people to the club, Hari Kondabolu headlined, and we raised a new record high: $1,211!! Tuesday December 5 Heneghen headlined and Cascade Land Conservancy raised $220. Tuesday November 28 Emmett Montgomery guest produced the show for Bad Fruit Foundation and raised $170. Tuesday November 21 we braved the rain and raised $190 for Stone Soup---buy holiday gifts from their non-profit rural marketplace shopthefrontier.org. Tuesday October 31 we raised $104 for Yes on I-937 (Clean Energy Initiative). Tuesday October 24 Kelli Robson guest produced (and Peggy Platt headlined!) a show for Lambert House, raising $353. Tuesday October 17 Vince Valenzuela headlined and we went head-to-head with the Rolling Stones, who were playing next door; we still raised $279 for Center for Social Justice! Tuesday October 10 UW CHID raised $157. Tuesday October 3 Youth Tutoring Program brought a crowd of 130 people and raised $1,145! (This is our new record high!) Tuesday September 26 Heneghen headlined a great show that raised $705 for University District Service Providers Alliance. Tuesday September 19 we raised $140 for Home Alive. Tuesday September 12 Hari Kondabolu guest produced and headlined the show for Hate Free Zone, which raised $713. Tuesday September 5 we raised $266 for Voters for Affordable Housing. Tuesday August 29 Heneghen, Brad Upton, and Vince Valenzuela starred in the show for Veterans of Modern Warfare, which raised $110. Tuesday August 22 Andy Peters guest produced (and David Crowe headlined) the show for Planned Parenthood, bringing in 126 people and $1,057. Tuesday August 15 Brad Upton headlined and we raised $276 for Hazel Wolf Environmental Film Network. Tuesday August 8 Heneghen headlined and we raised $105 for Futurewise (formerly 1000 Friends of Washington). Tuesday August 1 Peggy Platt headlined (!), Harrold Gomez did a guest set (two winners of the Seattle Comedy Competition in one night!), and Aradia Women's Health Center brought 100 people to the club and raised $951. Tuesday July 25 we raised $614 for Jobs with Justice. Tuesday July 18 we raised $130 for Conversation Cafe/New Roadmap Foundation and had a fabulous time, with guest sets from Seattle Comedy Competition winner Ron Osborne and Heneghen. Tuesday July 11 we raised $53 for Corporate Accountability International. Tuesday June 13 Travis Simmons guest produced the show for Downtown Emergency Service Center and raised $805. Tuesday June 6 NARAL Pro-Choice Washington brought 120 people to the club and raised $1,069; Meghan Hounshell headlined! Tuesday May 30 BABES Network-YWCA raised $56. Tuesday May 23's show for El Centro de la Raza featured Latino comics Rodger Lizaola, Jay Sierra, and Vince Valenzuela and raised $122. Tuesday May 16 UW Young Democrats raised $150. Tuesday May 9 Poverty Action raised $208. Tuesday April 25 Kelli Robson guest-produced a show for the Pride Foundation and raised $500. Tuesday April 11 (the official inaugural Non-Profit Comedy show!) we had an audience of 100+ and raised $812 for Real Change, including a generous donation from comic Craig Gass, a Seattle native who's made it big with Howard Stern in New York and plunked down some serious cash for extra stage time (and brought down the house with a set about King-5's Jim Foreman being the sacrificial lamb of TV news). Tuesday March 14 (the unofficial inaugural Non-Profit Comedy show!) we packed the club with 158 people and raised $750 for Northwest Environment Watch (now called Sightline Institute) during the second-to-last High Contrast Comedy show in Seattle. Total amount raised in 2006: $14,387. Number of shows: 31. Average raised per show: $464.