Charity
A charity can be designated by a convention as its official charitable organization. For furry and anthopomorphic organizations, such charities usually support the welfare of wildlife or domesticated animals, but there are exceptions. In 2005, the Memphis-based Mephit Furmeet 9 collected an unrecorded amount in money and resources for victims of Hurricane Katrina, many of whom were staying in the same hotel.
Some conventions may retain an official charity for an extended period of time while others may rotate their designated charity each year.
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Charity and furry[edit]
A charity auction is now held at most furry conventions. The convention auctions off donated items from the attendees at the convention with the proceeds going to a single or group of designated charities. At larger conventions, the total amount raised in a charity auction can approach or exceed $10,000. Long-running European convention Eurofurence ran their first charity auction in 2007, raising 1814€ (roughly $2628).
As popular as such special events are, they aren't always the only source of cash. Many US furry events are run by non-profit organizations claiming 501(c)(3) status, which are both tax-exempt and eligible for tax-deductible donations.[1] They often run large surpluses, some of which may be donated directly to charity.
The largest fundraising organizations as of December 31, 2019 are:
- $764,458 - Midwest FurFest
- $397,403 - Anthrocon
- $322,201 - Eurofurence
- $277,977 - Furry Weekend Atlanta
- $236,553 - Further Confusion
- $233,028 - ConFuzzled
Timeline of charity donations[edit]
Official convention charities[edit]
- Anthrocon: various
- ConFurence East (defunct): Wolf Park in Battle Ground, Indiana
- Furry Weekend Atlanta: various
- Further Confusion: various
- Mephit Furmeet: Tiger Haven in Kingston, Tennessee
- Megaplex: The C.A.R.E. Foundation in Apopka, Florida
- Midwest Furfest: various
- Oklacon: Safari's Interactive Animal Sanctuary in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Interesting charity auction items[edit]
Nutella, one pack of 8 jars ($40)
A clean picture of the staff of The Golden Lash ($50)
The last brick of the Adams Mark hotel ($200)
[A night with] 2 and Uncle Kage at MFF 2005 ($600)
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ 501(c)(3) organizations must be "organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes, or to foster national or international amateur sports competition (but only if no part of its activities involve the provision of athletic facilities or equipment), or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals", where "no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual" (26 USC A 1 F, I 501(c)(3))