History

Mission Statement

A Brief History of Laughing Matter

Laughing Matter began with a simple idea: bring to improv comedy a therapeutic and community service application. Since its inception, Laughing Matter has delivered nearly 50 free-of-cost improvisational comedy shows to major therapeutic centers throughout Greater Boston.

The first generation of performance volunteers assembled late 2008 in the heart of Harvard Square at the Democracy Center in Cambridge, MA. At the conclusion of a structured improv comedy training program, the ensemble embarked on a one-year performance tour, during which the organization identified a series of best practices for the performance of improv comedy in the therapeutic setting. In 2009, Laughing Matter obtained fiscal sponsorship from Fractured Atlas, a national non-profit artist service organization, which enabled Laughing Matter to collect tax-deductible public donations. From 2009-2011, Laughing Matter delivered service comedy performances to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Youville Hospital, Boston Healthcare for the Homeless, Pine Street Inn, Somerville Home, and Hale Bernard Services for Older People. The success of Laughing Matter's rehearsals and performances during this period resulted in a three-fold increase in volunteer participation. In 2010, Laughing Matter doubled its monthly performance frequency and established linkages with Pine Street Inn and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital for recurring monthly performances.

Laughing Matter is an independent, volunteer-led organization with financial support from public contributions. The organization is led by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Chair of the Board nominates and the Board elects a CEO, and the CEO appoints a Managing Director for each city in which a Laughing Matter chapter operates. The Managing Director manages the chapter’s volunteer recruitment, volunteer training, and service events, and carries into effect the policies and programs of the Board. The CEO oversees the activity of all Managing Directors, ensures the healthy function of the organization as a whole, and carries into effect the policies and programs of the Board.

Laughing Matter obtained nonprofit corporation status from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts May 10, 2011.