This Dragon*Con, the Fans Pick the Charities

Charity auctions and other fundraising events are a mainstay of many fan conventions, including Dragon*Con. In 2012, they raised more than $45,000 for the Georgia Chapter of the ALS Association. The year before, it was $40,000 for the National Inclusion Project, which helps children with disabilities. And the con’s annual blood drive is a popular event, donating thousands of units of blood over the weekend. This year the con decided to approach charity a little differently by asking the fans where they’d like their donations to go in 2013.

The event asked people to participate in a poll between April 15th and April 28th, during which more than 39,000 votes were cast for one of five pre-selected organizations. The top three vote-getters were named as the official charities of Dragon*Con 2013.

Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary, which shelters injured, abused, and unwanted exotic animals, won 66% of the vote and thus will receive 50% of the money raised during the con. The second-place charity, Georgia Conservancy, will receive 30%, and third-place Marcus Autism Center will receive 20% of the funds raised.

Over the last eight years, Dragon*Con has raised almost $224,000 for charity. This year it will add a matching contribution from the con itself of up to $50,000. In addition to that official charity fundraising during the con, they’ve donated $265,000 to The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta (where Dragon*Con is held) and other organizations.