DONATION TOTALS
2013-2023: $770,200
PRIMARY CHARITIES
Breast Cancer Research Foundation: $202,584
Doctors Without Borders: $278,375
Fisher House Foundation: $214,226
SECONDARY CHARITIES
ACPD Friends & Family Fund: $15,000
CALM: $12,000
Child's Play: $1,000
Cohen Children's Hospital: $1,000
Deutsche Krebshilfe: $2,540
Houston Food Bank: $5,000
International Rescue Committee: $8,175
Nova Ukraine:; $15,000
Reach Out & Read: $10,000
Wires: $3,000
Wounded Warriors: $2,300
NOVA Open Charitable Foundation
The NOVA Open Charitable Foundation, Inc. (NOCF), established in January 2013, was created to assist the tabletop wargaming community in raising funds for charitable causes. Miniature painters and artists have long been involved in producing miniature armies as a form of fundraising. Recognizing the immense generosity of the worldwide tabletop wargamers, the NOVA Open Charitable Foundation was formed to bring this “Compassionate Force” together under a single banner with a broad outreach to support charities which address the needs of humanitarian emergency relief, children’s causes, the military and medical research.
NOCF is an inclusive and accepting organization, proud to represent and welcome the extraordinarily diverse worldwide community of tabletop wargaming players and artists. We treat every person with empathy, respect, dignity, and impartiality, with great appreciation for their generous support of the NOCF and its mission to positively impact the world in a compassionate and meaningful way.
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THE FIRST YEARS
The international “Compassionate Force” was evident in 2013 when three inaugural armies raised $10,000
for the charities which would become our core recipients:
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In 2014, with the combined effort of the raffles, silent auction, and the Foundation Lounge, $38,000 was raised for charity.
NOCF is proud to represent this community which continues to prove its sense of social responsibility
to support charitable work. In 2019, $98,000 was donated!
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In 2020 and 2021, the NOCF lounge was interrupted by the cancellations of NOVA Open. However, with the help of hundreds
of volunteers, donors worldwide, and a few well-liked YouTube personalities, we were actually able to exceed our original
fundraising goals! Thanks to incredible support, we were able to donate over a quarter-million dollars ~ $252,000!
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By focusing on the primary charities, the "Gamers' Foundation" has been gaining position in the annual reports of
these deserving organizations. Before lending their support to our efforts, DWB required an in-depth explanation of "what"
a tabletop wargaming community was. NOCF was able to explain - but it is the gamers and hobbyists
who have stepped up to show the world what a "Compassionate Force" can do.​
THE FOUNDATION LOUNGE THAT ONCE WAS
The Foundation Lounge, located on the rooftop level of the Hyatt Regency hotel, was run by volunteers for the NOVA Open Charitable Foundation during NOVA Open conventions from 2013-2019 (covid cancelled 2020 & 2021). Proceeds had significantly supported the continued work of the Foundation.
The Foundation Lounge had become the go-to place for attendees, where relaxing with old friends and making new ones after long days of gaming at the convention just came naturally. People visited the Lounge to reacquaint with staff and each other year after year. There was always something going on at this fully stocked bar, where you'd meet industry experts chatting about their businesses, participate in raffles, join board games, enjoy sumptuous snacks and (on occasion) listen to a live band!
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It all happened in the Foundation Lounge. It was a great event that formally ended its run in 2022. NOCF is confident the convention will continue to grow and prosper under its new ownership. The Lounge Boss and her staff thank the attendees for the fun and friendships. We will miss everyone, and wish you all many good things in the years ahead.
NOVA Open BOOTH DISPLAY
As the number of raffles have grown each year, so did the generous support of the NOVA Open. In 2013, one 4-foot case was donated for displaying the first three armies from the NOCF Artists' Consortium. By 2019, 4-foot and 6-foot cases, a store counter, several beautiful tall all-glass halogen-lit display cases and numerous tabletop displays, along with rotating bases under acrylic for use with the Warlord Titan and other monster-size raffle offerings were being supplied by NOVA Open.
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Special thanks to the NOVA Open and its attendees. Ticket sales at the convention were impressive. This event, too, is no longer hosted by the new owners of NOVA Open.
NOVA Open SILENT AUCTION
NOVA Open partners and NOCF sponsors have been donating high-value items for the NOCF Silent Auction since 2014. Once more, NOVA Open attendees found a way to show their generosity by participating in these fundraisers which have added tens of thousands of dollars to supplement annual charitable donations.
It was not unusual to find signed artwork from famous concept artists, gamer model/army donations, game aids, hobby aids and the occasional life-size C-3PO! The space, together with display products and tables, is another expense NOVA Open once covered, and the event is no longer hosted at the convention.
