Charity
Anthrocon prides itself in partnering with local charities located in Pennsylvania, and giving back to those in need through our various fundraising events at the con. Furries are some of the most generous folk, and we’re here to help prove that.
2024 Charity: Gray Paws Sanctuary
“To provide quality forever care to abandoned senior dogs”
This year, we’re delighted to be partnering with Gray Paws Sanctuary, a Pittsburgh-based 501©3 non-profit, fully volunteer organization dedicated to rescuing senior dogs.
Most of the senior dogs rescued into sanctuary, or placed in Forever Foster Homes are from private owners in crisis. Gray Paws also sponsors dogs from local shelters, humane officers, animal control, and other partner rescues. Often times, dogs would be euthanized because of their age and veterinary care costs.
Gray Paws is committed to providing the best quality of life for senior dogs with high quality care. When the time comes, they provide palliative and hospice care. With the help of our dedicated veterinary partners, Gray Paws lets senior dogs go to the “Rainbow Bridge” when they have lived the fullest life possible. Gray Paws will be using donation money to expand their endeavors in rescuing and rehoming senior dogs and providing lifetime care for their rescues, as well as support veterinary bills for additional senior dogs.
Bucket Brigade
At the convention, you may see some costumed performers going around with a specifically designated bucket for soliciting donations to the charity. It’s none other than our Bucket Brigade - and we’d love you to be a part of it.
Charity Auction and Raffle
The Anthrocon Charity Auction is an event on Sunday afternoon of the convention that offers items and products unique to the convention to bidders to raise money for a charity, chosen annually by the convention.
The Raffle has the same purpose, but is a ticket-driven event over Friday and Saturday that accepts non-unique items and merchandise, with all winning ticket numbers presented during Sunday’s Dealers Room hours. Higher value donations are sold at the auction. Lower value items are raffled at the charity’s Dealers Room table.
How do I Bid in Anthrocon’s Live Charity Auction?
On Sunday of the convention, you’ll have the ability to participate as a bidder in the live Charity Auction for items that are specifically presented by our auctioneer. Check the schedule on the Events page closer to the convention dates for the exact time of the auction.
How do I donate items to the Charity Auction?
Interested in donating to the Anthrocon Charity Auction or Raffle? Send an email to [email protected] stating what you are donating, your name, your preferred email address if it’s different, and details on the donation (what is it, medium, artist/donor, etc.). This information is for approval purposes only - details should be provided with the required information card at the convention.
Rules for donating items
If you are donating an item (artwork, sculpture, animation cel, etc), it must be G to PG rated (PG13- or R-rated items accepted only with prior permission). You may either bring it to Anthrocon if you are attending or you may send it via postal mail. Write to [email protected] to receive the address that postal mail items should be sent to. If delivered by mail, the item must include a 3x5 card with pertinent, legible information such as the donor, artist, medium, and any other important information a bidder or ticket-holder should know so that the item may be properly auctioned or raffled. If delivered at the convention, please do so at the charity’s Dealers’ Room table during Dealers’ Room Setup hours on Friday. You will be required to fill out a 3x5 card with the aforementioned information for display and/or auction purposes. Items donated for the auction must be unique - they cannot be available anywhere else at the convention. And please: we appreciate your generosity, but do not donate multiple copies of the same item!
Additional information and more detailed rules can be found on the Charity Event Rules page.
For 2024: Donations to the Charity Auction must be submitted by Friday, July 5th at the convention. Your items can be dropped off at the Charity table in our Dealers Room. Mailed donations need to arrive no later than two full weeks before the convention. Any donations sent after that date may be returned to you unsold.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the deadline to make an item donation?
For 2024: Donations to the Charity Auction must be submitted by Friday, July 5th at the convention. Your items can be dropped off at the Charity table in our Dealers Room.
Mailed donations need to arrive no later than two full weeks before the convention. Any donations sent after that date may be returned to you unsold.
What will happen to my item donation at Anthrocon?
Your donation will be on public display at the charity’s Dealers’ Room table. Less-expensive items will be raffled, with drawing results displayed on Sunday. High-value items will be auctioned one at a time at Sunday’s auction event. Once the convention is over, you will be emailed with the price your item sold for if you have provided an email address.Can I make a cash donation?
If you would like to donate to the charity before or after the convention, please visit their website for instructions. If you wish to make a cash donation at the convention, the Charity will be present in the Dealers’ Room during scheduled hours.Is my donation tax-deductible?
If you have made a donation that has a cash value, it may be. Please contact the charity’s representative found on their website or social media, linked above in the charity overview, for the tax-exempt information.Will the convention handle the charity auction's proceeds?
Except for cash donations sent before the convention date, no. Unless the Charity is unable to attend the convention, a representative from the Charity will be present at the Charity Auction and their Dealers’ Room table and will collect the funds as the items, services, and tickets are purchased. The proceeds will, at no time, be in the possession of Anthrocon staff.Is this affiliated with the Anthrocon Art Auction?
Only in that it is at the same convention. The Art Show auctions will feature only items entered in the Art Show. The Charity Auction/Raffle items on display are being solicited and auctioned with no affiliation to the Art Show. More information about the Art Show can be found on the Art Show page.How are sponsored charities selected each year?
In order to support local nonprofits in a way that best relates to the convention’s overall theme, the following criteria are required for an organization to be added to Anthrocon’s list of candidates for consideration:
A currently valid 501(c)3.
An organization related to or associated with helping animals.
Parent organization headquartered within 60 miles of the Pittsburgh metro area.
Incorporated in the state of Pennsylvania.
To be considered, simply contact [email protected] expressing interest. Candidacy means that the organization has been added to the list of available options for consideration in any given future year, as long as the organization remains active. The convention’s Board considers candidates in December and makes a selection in January. Anthrocon’s charity staff representatives make a site visit to the selected charity in February/March to validate legitimacy.