Fundraisers.com: Event Blog

Angelina Jolie And Peter Gabriel To Host Benefit Gala For WITNESS

2005-12-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Academy Award winning actress Angelina Jolie and musician and activist Peter Gabriel will co-host a benefit gala for WITNESS, the international human rights group, on December 5, 2005 in New York City. The event, to be held at The Supper Club in Times Square, will include performances by folk rock icon Emmylou Harris, legendary performers Nile Rodgers and CHIC, and other special guests

WITNESS is a New York-based organization that deploys video and technology to promote human rights causes worldwide, was co-founded in 1992 by Peter Gabriel. Since its founding, WITNESS has partnered with groups in more than 60 countries, bringing often unseen images, untold stories and seldom heard voices to the attention of key decision makers, the media, and the general public — prompting grassroots activism, political engagement, and lasting change.

Read more at the WITNESS Website.

ARTIVIST Film Festival and Awards

2006-10-04T14:07:00.000-07:00

Joaquin Phoenix, Daryl Hannah, and Matthew McConaughey will be honored at this year's Artivist Film Festival & Awards from November 9th to 12th, 2006 at the renowned Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, CA.

65 International Films from around the globe will be presented, and filmmakers from around the world will unite to address the importance of art and activism in our global community. "ARTIVIST" is the first international Film Festival dedicated to addressing Human Rights, Children's Advocacy, Environmental Preservation, and Animal Rights. Its mission is to strengthen the voice of international activist artists - "Artivists" - while raising public awareness for social global causes.

The 3rd Annual Artivist Film Festival is pleased to announce that this year's Film Program not only ranges widely in activist topics, but also feature such noted activist-artists as Tom Hanks, Susan Sarandon, Martin Sheen, Viggo Mortensen, Elton John, Morgan Spurlock, Brett Ratner, Andy Garcia, and many others. During the past 3 years, Artivist has reached millions of people with its public relations campaign and has received renowned international support.

Artivist is officially affiliated with the United Nations. Additionally, Artivist's Advisory Board includes Congressman Dennis Kucinich, and actor- activist James Cromwell. To learn more about the Partnership & Sponsorship Opportunities offered by The Artivist Network, contact President Diaky Diaz at 310-712-1222 and diakydiaz@artivists.org

For more information, or to purchase tickets to the events, see the...
ARTIVIST homepage

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to Host "Alamo Poker Tour Texas Hold'em Poker Challenge

2005-11-30T23:12:00.000-08:00

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has announced their "Alamo Poker Tour Texas Hold'em Poker Challenge," a two-day, celebrity-studded poker tournament and fundraising event December 8-9, 2005 at the Morongo Casino Resort in Cabazon, CA.

The host location for this event is the new $250 million Morongo Casino, Resort and Spa, located just 16 miles west of Palm Springs, California. Special rates are also available for guests wishing to stay at the resort.

"We are very excited about being part of the hottest game in America, Texas Hold'em Poker," said Michael Shumard, Director of Special Events, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. "Charity poker tournaments are popular events and we're very happy to be one of the leading organizations benefiting from the generosity of businesses like Alamo Poker, Morongo Casino, Poker Resource Network."

Over 40 celebrities from both the entertainment and the professional poker worlds including the Circle of Outlaws are scheduled to attend. "This is the largest collection of celebrities assembled for a charity event to date," shares Wendy Meadley, CEO of Poker Resource Network, the Public Relations/ Event Manager for the event.

The tournament structure and Fox Sports Net broadcast of the event creates increased excitement as the winner will receive a $25,000 cash prize. The two-day event's entry fee is priced for all to attend at $250 with the opportunity to re-buy for $200 throughout Day 1. To purchase tickets or for more information players can visit the Alamo Poker Tour Site.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a donor-supported, nonprofit organization whose mission is to find therapies -- and eventually a cure -- for cystic fibrosis. Read more

Alamo Poker is A Gibraltar Corporation that is located in San Jose, Costa Rica and is federally licensed by the Costa Rican government. Read more

The Circle of Outlaws including Marcel Luske are flying in from all over the globe to join in the fight against Cystic Fibrosis. Read more

Poker Resource Network (The Poker Industry's Premiere Global Marketing Resource is the public relations and event contact. Read more

Metro Daily News on Charity Poker

2006-03-11T23:27:00.000-08:00

Charity Poker Events Are The Next Big Craze in Fundraising

Cashing In When The Chips Are Down: Charities, Nonprofits Ride The Wave Of Poker Popularity

See the article in the

Bill Would Let Charities Holding Poker Nights Hold'em

2006-02-20T19:37:00.000-08:00

The California Assembly has upped the ante on charity poker by approving legislation that would allow a wide variety of nonprofits to hold fundraisers using gambling. The bill, introduced by Alberto Torrico, D-Newark, is given a good chance of passage in the Senate where it now awaits action. Attorney General Bill Lockyer is a sponsor.

"Many of California's gambling laws were written in the 19th Century, and some of them need to be modernized," says Nathan Barankin, a spokesman for the attorney general's office. Mr. Torrico says the need has been underscored by the federal government's increasing reliance on non-profits and faith-based programs to take care of social programs. "This is not a green light to every bar in the state to reorganize as a nonprofit," he says.

The proposed law would put restrictions on the gambling:

Gamblers can play only for prizes, not cash, and the total value of prizes cannot exceed $5,000

A total of 90 percent of the money raised must go to purpose of the fundraising

Gamblers must be at least 21 years old

The non-profit or charity can hold only one such fundraiser a year, and the hall where the game is held can hold no more than two gambling fundraisers in a year

Mr. Barankin says any group that wants to hold a fundraiser must be a legitimate non-profit that has been on the books for at least a year.

Read more at... BizJournals.com

Legends Celebrity Invitational Charity Poker Tournament at The Palms Casino in Las Vegas

2006-01-29T20:03:00.000-08:00

Sports legends Dan Marino, John Elway and Roger Clemens, along with two-time WorldSeries of Poker Champion Jennifer Harman will host this invitational all-star charity poker tournament where guests will have the exciting opportunity to play poker with some of the world's greatest athletes, champion poker players and major Hollywood celebrities.

While this invitation-only poker tournament presents guests with a once in a lifetime opportunity to play poker in the company of world-class athletes, poker players and celebrities, the event will also help to raise much-needed funds to support four prestigious charities: The Dan Marino Foundation, which offers integrated intervention services for children with special needs-medical, emotional, and/or behavioral; The John Elway Foundation, concentrating on the treatment and prevention of child abuse to help prevent future generations from becoming victims of this crime; The Roger Clemens Foundation, helping to fulfill the needs, ease the suffering and encourage and support children from all walks of life; and The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation which provides recreational and educational opportunites for at-risk boys and girls.

Read more about the... Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation

Read more about the... John Elway Foundation

Read more about the... Roger Clemens Foundation

Read more about the... Dan Marino Foundation

Special Hiddur Mitzvah Program Benefits the Coastal Regions Hit By Katrina

2005-12-10T21:12:00.000-08:00

In response to recent events on the Gulf Coast, The Gary Rosenthal Collection is asking for your help with a special Hiddur Mitzvah Project. Their goal is to provide Jewish families in New Orleans with ritual Judaica pieces to replace those lost or damaged in the hurricane.

Their Hanukkah drive has already been a great success- and will supply over 500 dreidels and hanukkiot to families in need at a Hanukkah celebration in New Orleans on December 20, 2005. Please read the invitation and press release to learn more.

Winefest On Tap At Mohegan Sun In January To Benefit Charities

2005-12-10T20:52:00.000-08:00

January 20th - 26th

The main event of the upcoming Sun Winefest is the Grand Tasting. More than 1,000 fine wines provided by international wineries, tastings from some of the best restaurants, and exhibitors showcasing related services such as wine storage, culinary accessories and specialty foods will be featured.

Guests will have the opportunity to ask questions, hear commentary from the winemakers and experts, and enjoy delicacies from some of the region's finest restaurants by purchasing tasting portions of signature dishes. Sun Winefest attendees will also have the opportunity to add to their experience by attending a series of interesting and educational seminars. Topics that pertain to all aspects of wine, food and pairing will be offered.

Mohegan Sun's executive chef, Michael Luboff is also pleased to host Mohegan's celebrity chefs, Todd English and Jasper White, who have invited an impressive lineup of exceptional culinary personalities. The visiting celebrity chefs will be featured in cooking demonstrations all weekend on the main stage located in the Grand Tasting along with other entertaining presentations.

Proceeds will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

On Friday, "The Celebrity Food & Wine Forum Dinner," a five-course meal, inspired by the participating celebrity chefs and prepared by Chef Michael Luboff, will feature an intimate question and answer forum with some of America's best known culinary personalities.

To further compliment the Sun Winefest experience, Friday and Saturday night will feature fundraisers to benefit the American Liver Foundation and Time for Life, supporting children with cancer and their families.

Tickets for the events are $175, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the American Liver Foundation. Saturday evening features a "Celebrity Chef Dine Around," with the opportunity for guests to meet world-famous chefs, television celebrities, cookbook authors and celebrated restaurateurs while sampling some of their signature dishes. Each dish will be paired with a wine, highlighting their dish, followed by an elaborate dessert display, presented by the Mohegan Sun culinary team. The evening includes music, dancing and a silent auction. Also benefiting from the event is Time for Life, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing and implementing programs and services that meet the needs of children with cancer and their families.

Tickets to "The Celebrity Food & Wine Forum Dinner" and "The Celebrity Chef Dine Around" can be purchased at the Sun Winefest website.

Funrise Donates Toys To Children's Hospital

2005-12-10T20:22:00.000-08:00

Funrise Toy Corporation participated in the 10th Annual Toy Run for Kids with more than $100,000 worth of toys being donated to the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Santa Claus, along with motorcycles, fire trucks, and CHP (California Highway Patrol) officers, made his way from Funrise headquarters to the hospital Sunday, December 4. Motorcyclists participated for free with the donation of an unwrapped toy, with the first 100 riders receiving a free Toy Run for Kids 2005 T-shirt. The second 100 riders received a free Toy Run pin. Free food and beverages were provided by Krispy Kreme, Mrs. Beasley's, Western Bagel, and In-N-Out. A portion of the toys is being donated to The Toy Bank, introduced by the Toy Industry Foundation, the philanthropic organization representing the North American toy industry.

Bowling For The Make A Wish Foundation

2005-10-26T15:29:00.000-07:00

Make wishes come true and have a "BALL" doing it! Strap on your bowling shoes, dig out your best bowling duds and bring your pin pals...because it is time to Rock'N Bowl!

Greater Bay Area
Bowl Across The Bay 2005
November 5th in Pacifica, CA
November 12th in Danville, CA

More info... Bowl Across The Bay Info.

Lightspeed Fine Arts Fundraiser

2005-10-26T14:33:00.000-07:00

Proceeds to benefit The American Cancer Society and other charities of the celebrities choice. The event includes interaction with celebrity guests, professional photo opportunities, auctions, all day buffet, drinks and many other special events. Space is limited to 250 guests.

FOr reservations visit... www.lightspeedfineart.com.

Volvo For Life Fundraisers To Benefit Pediatric Cancer

2005-09-21T00:05:00.000-07:00

Hundreds of retailers will hold concurrent fundraisers Oct. 8th through 16th for Alex's Lemonade Stand and local Children's Hospitals to benefit Pediatric Cancer.

Alexandra "Alex" Scott was the 8 year old founder of Alex's Lemonade Stand For Pediatric Cancer Research. Two days before her first birthday she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer. At the age of four, Alex decided to do something to make that cure more likely. She opened her first lemonade stand in July of 2000 with the idea of donating the proceeds to "her hospital." Each year since, Alex held an annual lemonade stand in her front yard. As word has spread, donations have poured in from around the world, and she has raised almost $3,000,000 for childhood cancer.

For more information on Alex's Lemonade Stand, visit... AlexsLemonade.com

For more information on Volvo For Life Days, visit the... Volvo For Life Page.

The Los Angeles Entertainment Community Joins Forces To Raise Funds To Benefit The Victims Of Hurricane Katrina

2005-09-20T23:54:00.000-07:00

It started as a simple crusade among friends in the music industry who, after seeing and hearing about the disaster, wanted to make a physical contribution to the victims of Katrina. As more stories and personal connections to victims were discovered and shared, this group began to feel helpless. This helplessness easily and effortlessly morphed into a passion to do something. In a matter of hours, they formed the group ECHO (Entertainment Community Helping Others) and began organizing a fundraiser called Los Angeles H.E.A.R.T. for the South.

For more information regarding the event which will be held on September 24th in Los Angeles and information about Los Angeles H.E.A.R.T. for the South and E.C.H.O Entertainment Community Helping Others visit www.losangelesheart.org.

About Echo

Inspired by the power of networking within the entertainment industries, ECHO is a group of young professionals coming together to help those less fortunate than themselves. ECHO members are the background of the entertainment industry; they are assistants, coordinators, producers, engineers, and managers. But, most of all they are empathetic Americans with a voice, a voice they hope to echo from their neighborhood to the world.

100% of the donated proceeds raised from this event will go to:

Rick Dees Joins Salvation Army To Broadcast The First Digithon To Aid Katrina Survivors

2005-09-14T13:52:00.000-07:00

Radio entertainer and "Weekly Top 40" host Rick Dees has announced the first-ever "DIGITHON" to mobilize and motivate listeners around the world to help in the aftermath of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina, to be broadcast live on Monday, September 19, 2005 from the Digital Hollywood's fall conference at the Loews Hotel in Santa Monica, California.

Radio is a personal medium built around the power of community," says Dees. "Through our broadcasts around the world, we intend to motivate the entire global community to join in this massive rebuilding process." All-day streaming broadcasts are now being offered for listening at RICK.COM to raise funds toward immediate hurricane disaster relief along the Gulf Coast of the United States.

The first global "DIGITHON," replete with stars from the music, entertainment, and new media world, will join with live, unplugged performances to be streamed to the world on RICK.COM (and via the DDN Network). Says Dees, "I'm proud to note that our 'DIGITHON' will be heard in virtually every city in the world, and that we're unleashing the full force and effect of our IPTV broadcasts to touch the lives of the victims of the costliest natural disaster of this generation in the U.S." Complete details will be posted here at RICK.COM as the week progresses.

Monday's digithon will also feature an SMS text-messaging sweepstakes raffling off donated resort and private home stays in the Out Islands of the Bahamas (Rainbow Inn, Royal Palm Hotel, Tranquility Bay, King's Country) throughout the live five-hour broadcast, powered by Smart SMS and coordinated by Briland.com, with all proceeds supporting the Salvation Army's relief efforts in New Orleans and Louisiana. The award-winning Putumayo label compilations "New Orleans" and "Mississippi Blues" are also available for sale at rick.com, with 100% of all proceeds going to the Salvation Army.

For more information, see the... Rick Dees Homepage

MTV and Connect.com Present Music To Aid Katrina Survivors

2005-09-10T00:42:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, September 10th at 8 pm EST, MTV and affiliated networks will be broadcasting simultanous live benefit concerts in New York, Nashville and Los Angeles. Within minutes of each performance, Connect.com will be selling downloads of the music, with all of the proceeds going to support the American Red Cross.

The lineup of performers is a virtual who's who of the music business, and all of them are pulling together to aid the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Tune into MTV, and then download the digital file of all of your favorites!

The New York acts include: Alicia Keys, Ludacris, Simple Plan, Cash Money, David Banner, Rob Thomas, Dashboard Confessional, Sheryl Crow, and Alan Jackson

In Nashville, will be: Neil Young, Motley Crue, Neville Brothers, Marc Broussard, Lynyrd Skynyrd with Kid Rock, Emmy Lou, Sugarland, Buckwheat Zydeco, Chris Thomas King

Performing in Los Angeles will be: Trent Reznor, Goo Goo Dolls, Melissa Etheridge, Good Charlotte, Audislave, Kelly Clarkson, The Radiators, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers

There will be additional performances by: the Dave Matthews Band, Green Day, John Mellencamp, Big & Rich, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, 3 Doors Down, Staind, Coldplay, Pearl Jam, Kanye, Common. Brian Wilson, John Mayer, Maroon 5, Beck, and Hank Williams Jr

Celebrity hosts include: Kevin Bacon, Usher, Dennis Quaid, Shakira, Jamie Foxx, and Samuel Jackson

This once in a lifetime event is brought to you by MTV and Connect.com. Don't miss it!

Celebrity Golf Classic and Mah Jongg Tournament

2005-09-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

Wendie Jo Sperber's 7th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic and 4th Annual Mah Jongg Tournament in Santa Barbara- September 24, 2005

weSPARK Cancer Support Center presents Wendie Jo Sperber's 7th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic and 4th Annual Mah Jongg Tournament at Glen Annie Golf Course at 405 Glen Annie Rd. in Santa Barbara, on Saturday, September 24, with registration beginning at 7:30 am.

Hosted by actress Wendie Jo Sperber, the founder and CEO of the weSPARK Cancer Support Center based in Sherman Oaks, the event's celebrity participants will include Dennis Franz, Jason Bateman, Bryan Cranston, Jason Gedrick, Tim Daly, Joe Mantegna, Alan Thicke, Gabrielle Carteris and more.

For information regarding golf packages: Call (818) 906-3022 or log onto www.wespark.org

Media Contact:
Jo-Ann Geffen or Tracy Howard - JAG PR (818) 905-5511

The Jennifer Diamond Foundation to Honor Wendi Jo Sperber

2005-08-31T17:56:00.000-07:00

On September 17th The Jennifer Diamond Foundation will present the Diamond Humanitarian Award to actress Wendie Jo Sperber, founder of weSPARK Cancer Support Center in Sherman Oaks, California. weSPARK provides free services including support groups, yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong and much more to cancer patients, their families and friends. Sperber has been a cancer warrior since her own diagnosis in 1997, when she found that there was nowhere for her to turn for the latest information, and to have the support of others experiencing similar challenges.

The Jennifer Diamond Foundation was founded by Harvey and Alice Diamond along with their daughter Jennifer, who passed away from appendiceal carcinoma in July of 2002. It is dedicated to helping young people win the fight against all forms of cancer. They are focused on empowering people with knowledge, as well as supporting research and healing programs that provide the tools to help treat the mind and body as one. The organization has raised money for different programs and projects including creating and donating cancer research centers/libraries that house the latest books, videos, periodicals, computers and research assistance. Past recipients include The Wellness Community in Westlake, CA, Gilda's Club in Cathedral Cities, CA and the soon to be completed library at weSPARK Cancer Support Center. These centers will provide free and vital information for people and their families and friends who are learning how to live with and combat cancer.

If you are interested in attending the event or would like more information, please email Harvey Diamond at harvey@jenniferdiamondfoundation.org or call (310) 551-0800.

Hope 'N' Harmony Presents A Remarkable Evening Of Hope For Children

2005-08-31T18:07:00.000-07:00

Hope 'N' Harmony Presents a Remarkable Evening of Hope for the Children To Benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, in Thousand Oaks, CA. Honorary event co-chairs Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick welcome an evening of laughter with host Sinbad and music performances by The Commodores and The Bacon Brothers. In addition there will be wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres and silent and live auctions of celebrity memorabilia and more.

Hope 'N' Harmony was founded by Steve and Wendi Youngblood in honor of Steve's daughter Stacy who in 1987 at four years old, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. After months of chemotherapy and radiation, Make-A-Wish Foundation sent Stacy and her family to Disney World in Florida. Now 21 and in full remission, Stacy is currently studying child development and would like to work with children with cancer. This concert is the Youngblood family's way of giving back to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

For ticket information please log onto hopenharmony.com or call Ticketmaster.

Pulver Enterprises Gambles on a Charity Poker Tournament

2005-08-30T13:09:00.000-07:00

Photo: Survivior's Star Boston Rob, John Ratzenberger, Phil Hellmuth and Surivior's Star Amber Brkich

No-Limit Texas Hold'em has a vocabulary all its own. It isn't spoken with a thick southern drawl, it sounds like something uttered in a foreign tongue. "I've got 73 diamonds and I'm all in. Flop: Ace - 3 - King offsuit; Turn: 7; River; 7. I double up with 7's full. Next hand - 7-3 diamonds again. I'm all in - again. I get another caller (one with enough chips to take me out). They've got pocket 6's. Flop comes: Ace of Diamonds - 4 of Diamonds - 8 of Diamonds. I hit my flush on the flop. Then: the Turn comes: 5; and a 4 at the River. The nut flush is a winner."

In mid-October, Pulver Enterprises gambled on adding a, "Best Bet for the Cure: Charity Poker No-Limit Texas Hold'em Tournament" to their "Voice on Net" conference in Boston and won big. Not only did their event raise money for the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation and The Barton Center for Diabetes Education, they upped the ante for other nonprofit organizations interested in betting on poker's resurgent popularity.

The VON Conference already had a number of high-profile attendees expected, but adding John Ratzenberger and Phil Hellmuth to the list of poker tournament players was a major coup. Ratzenberger is famous for his role as "Cliff" on the long-running television series "Cheers" and he is the current host of the Travel Channel's "Made in America." He's also a poker aficionado. Hellmuth is a regular at the World Series of Poker and one of the all-time top money makers in professional poker.

Photo: Jonathan Askin - Wartime Consiglieri for Pulver.com

Jeff Pulver, CEO of Pulver Enterprises, realized his company's lead attorney, Jonathan Askin, had an inside edge on dealing a charity poker tournament into the VON Conference's winning hand. In addition to being a member of the Bar, Askin once played on the professional poker circuit.

His official title at Pulver Enterprises is "Wartime Consiglieri." That distinctive moniker hints at his propensity for attack strategies when launching a new venture. "It's important for charities to be savvy when dealing with gambling and charity events," Askin says. "We're working on a template that will help other organizations hold similar events."

Askin had a stroke of genius that allowed Pulver Enterprises to stage the Boston tournament. They tipped the legal scales in their favor by financial contributions going toward raffle tickets. Winners of the tournament received the coveted Pulver Cup and bragging rights, but prizes with monetary value went to holders of raffle tickets. Remember, raffles are legal in Massachusetts (and most other states)...Poker is not!

Photo: Jonathan & Jeff encouraging a novice

Askin explains, "The Boston event represents an incredibly steep learning curve. Once you've pulled it off once, it becomes a lot easier." Pulver recently dealt Danny Askin, Jonathan's brother, into the game. "My brother's come on board to explore the logistics of holding charity poker tournaments on a regular basis," he says.

"I've never looked at poker as a vice. It's more a game of skill than luck," Askin says. He explains that playing poker has more in common with participating in a celebrity golf or tennis tournament than shooting craps or spinning a roulette wheel. "It's interesting that states allow raffles to be held - which involve no skill, only luck - but it's really hard to pull off a charity poker tournament."

There's nothing like a poker tournament to kickoff a conference, according to Askin. "The game lends itself to very dramatic events at very precise, knowable moments that you don't see in golf or tennis tournaments. I don't know if I can capture exactly how sociable our event was. When someone yelled ‘I'm all in,' 100 people would surround the table to see the hand played out."

Photo: Michael Gallagher, NTIA Administrator (Chief Telecom Advisor to President Bush)

"Probably, the greatest thing about kicking off a conference with a charity poker tournament is giving the attendees a chance to get to know each other in an intimate and psychologically revealing way," Askin says. "If a person plays in a charity golf tournament, they may get to know the other three people in their foursome. With poker, everyone's table hopping and you end up meeting about 100 people in your industry - people you may end up dealing with professionally.

He adds, "I particularly loved that we had Michael Gallagher, President Bush's chief advisor on telecom policy and Stan Wise, President of the Association of State Regulators. In the real world, tension heightens the drama at the poker table which, in many ways is a microcosm of the real world. There was one great moment when Mike, the President's telecom advisor, went ‘all-in' against Phil Hellmuth. Mike prevailed. That was a priceless moment."

"You learn things about people while playing poker that you'd never find out otherwise," Askin says. "You see how they react to pressure and whether they play it safe." The 5,000 attendees at Pulver Enterprises' "VON" Conference were given an opportunity to pre-register for the tournament and staggered start times were designed to accommodate varying arrival times.

The credit for being able to focus on charity poker tournaments goes to Jeff Pulver, according to Askin. "Jeff does everything he can for diabetes. He was raised with a very charitable heart." Pulver's generosity is a driving force behind development of a matrix for other organizations to model future charity poker events on.

The complexities of holding such an event can't be fully addressed in the space we have available, but a synopsis of the Boston VON Conference tournament highlights follow:

"Best Bet for the Cure: Charity Poker No-Limit Texas Hold'em Tournament," was underwritten by Pulver.com with proceeds benefiting the Barton Center for Diabetes Education, Inc. and the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRIF).The sole mission of the DRIF is to support the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) at the University of Miami School of Medicine, a recognized world leader in cure-focused diabetes research.

The event included extensive gambling action in a professional Vegas-like environment with cocktails and appetizers throughout the tournament. Participant entry fees were largely tax deductible by benefiting diabetes charities.

Photo: Christopher Libertelli, Senior Legal Advisor to FCC Chairman Michael Powell

Winners of the Charity Tournament advanced to the Celebrity Tournament later in the evening. The last player sitting at each event took home the coveted Pulver Cup. In addition, players and other participants purchased raffle tickets at $100 per book of five. Players received 5 free tickets.

The top prize in the raffle was a $10,000 buy-in to the World Series of Poker Main Event in Las Vegas with roundtrip airfare on JetBlue included. An astounding $5 million prize went to the 2004 WSOP winner, with second place receiving $3.5 million. Prizes at the 2005 event are expected to increase considerably. Additional prizes included technology equipment and services related to "voice on net.

Photo: (from left to right) Tom Karlya (DRI), Mark Fuller - Chair, Barton Center Trustees, Brian Leske (Charity Tournament Champion), John Maconga (President of the Barton Center), Jeff Pulver, Phil Hellmuth

Ofer Gneezy, President and CEO of iBasis, won the $10,000 WSOP buy-in. Brian Leske, from the Governor of Massachusetts office, took the Charity Tournament Championship. Shannon Pendergrast was a last minute walk-in, signing up for the opportunity to play against Phil Hellmuth. Pendergrast walked away with the Celebrity Tournament Championship. The late afternoon tournament winner was Vladimir Greysukh. The players agreed that it was the best event they'd ever experienced at a conference.

Adding a regulated activity, such as poker, could present challenges that most fundraising campaign managers are unable to contend with. Askin believes partnerships with state-sanctioned poker rooms or Native American Casinos and the charity poker matrix they're developing may help alleviate some legal and logistical headaches. He explains, "Organizations would be able to draw from the pool of dealers at Native American casinos and legally hold poker tournaments on their premises." Since these facilities are already designed for poker games, equipment rental expenses and staffing costs could be reduced by forming partnerships with existing casinos. "Plus, holding an event for charity would be great PR for the casino," he adds.

Individuals and companies might consider hosting a charity poker tournament to benefit a nonprofit organization or as a novel way to kickoff their next conference or event. Because the mingling of poker and philanthropy is relatively new and legal issues are incredibly complex, learning from those who've played'em and laid'em is especially beneficial. Jonathan Askin encourages queries at charitypoker@fundraisers.com.