MNSWCA.org 2024 annual Report

 MNSWCA.org was established officially as a charity organization September 18, 2023. The mission of the organization is:

This corporation is organized exclusively for charitable, religious and educational purposes as specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code. 

The purpose of this corporation is: to raise awareness, financial support, and actively engage in support and service to families with medical and mental health needs in local Minnesota communities through entertainment, communion with, and engagement in activities related to various fantasy and science fiction fandoms. 

MNSWCA.org continued to operate in 2024, and worked closely with local Minnesota charities, gaming groups, and toy collecting groups. 2024 was a year of incredible growth and expanding horizons for MNSWCA.org. The initial event sponsored before the formal organization of MNSWCA.org, Teeb Con 2023, was held in Stephen Kaarbo’s yard with about 80 attendees. This was the precursor to Teeb Con 2024, which was held at the Duluth Entertainment & Convention Center, and boasted a weekend attendance of over 2500. The response from the local community was incredible and the group is already well into planning and rebranding the event into the inaugural Excalibur Con, to be held again at the DECC on August 16-17, 2025. The MNSWCA.org was able to donate $6000 of the proceeds from the Teeb Con 2024 events to our charity partners. This great donation came after the generous support that was given at the first ever Frozen Force Artist Showcase, held in January 2024. Following that event, MNSWCA.org was able to donate $5125 to the MN Masonic Children’s Clinic for Communication Disorders. At the time of this report, the second annual Frozen Force will be in the books and we are excited to give to the Clinic once again. 

MNSWCA.org formally participated in several pop culture conventions during 2024, including SpringCon in Woodbury, MN; Range Fan Con in Virginia, MN; Imperial Commissary Collectors Convention in Nashville, TN; Anime Fusion in Plymouth, MN; and Twin Cities Con in Minneapolis MN. Board members from MNSWCA.org also attended C2E2, 605 Pop Culture Con; and Colossal Con, developing friendships and connections with convention organizers, volunteers, vendors, artists, guest stars and attendees. Monetary donations from the various events totaled over $1100 and many vendors and artists donated items and artwork for various events and giveaways through the organization. 

MNSWCA.org has continued to support charity initiatives with a family and mental health focus. We continue to partner with the Minnesota Masonic Children’s Clinic for Communication Disorders, located in Duluth, MN; as well as the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation, with the local hospital being in Rochester, MN. The organization formally created the MNSWCA.org Mental Wellness Scholarship Fund, a funding stream to help local mental health and chemical health providers receive specialized, evidence-based training to help the wellness of our northland communities. The first awards from this fund will be distributed in the fall 2025. To bring more awareness to the mental health needs of our community, as well as the ways our fandoms can support our wellness, Stephen Kaarbo and guests presented “Fandom & Mental Health” panels at Teeb Con, Twin Cities Con, and the St. Louis County Health & Human Services Conference. 

The MNSWCA.org Board continued to meet regularly to plan events, budgets, and growth opportunities through strategic alliances in the Duluth-Superior and surrounding areas. We have partnered with local gaming groups, game developers, business partners, sponsors, and an extensive volunteer base to build for the future. We are committed to growing the local gaming and general nerd community in the area, as well as supporting the very real need to feel accepted, to feel included, and to feel genuine enjoyment in life. In addition to the MNSWCA.org Board, the group formalized the Excalibur Con Committee, to have a direct focus and oversight of Excalibur Con 2025 and beyond. This committee is composed of Board members Stephen Kaarbo, Matt Glesner, Erin Glesner, Kris Kapsner, as well as community members, David Greenberg, Colton Nelson, John Wapola and Alex Campanini.

MNSWCA.org is committed to continuing our charity partnerships and our partnerships with sponsors and fans. Plans for 2024 include:  the 2nd annual Frozen Force Artist Showcase January 18; partnering for May the 4th Star Wars day and Art & Anime Celebration events at Barnes & Noble; and Excalibur Con August 16-17 at the DECC. In addition the group is already committed to involvement at Anime Detour, Range Fan Con, ICCC, and Twin Cities Con again in 2024.

The current MNSWCA.org board includes:

Stephen Kaarbo, President (2nd year)

Scott Glendenning, Secretary (2nd year)

Nolan Kaarbo, Treasurer (2nd year)

Scott Kottke, Member (2nd year)

Matt Glesner, Member (1st year began 2024)

Erin Glesner, Member (1st year began 2024)

Kris Kapsner, Member (1st year began 2024)

Financial Report

2024 Donations (Sponsorships, ticket sales, event donations): $73,062.59

2024 Costs (Merchandise, advertising, non-profit organization, event costs): $69,108.66

2024 Starting Centricity Credit Union Checking Balance: $1223.93

2024 Ending Centricity Credit Union Checking Balance: $8114.71

2024 Starting Centricity Credit Union Savings Balance: $99.03

2024 Ending Centricity Credit Union Savings Balance: $2025.32

2024 Starting Combined PayPal/Venmo/Zeffy Balance: $0.00

2024 Ending Combined PayPal/Venmo/Zeffy Balance: $2403.38

Total donations to MN Masonic Children's Clinic for Communication Disorders: $7115.00

Total donations to Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation: $2000.00

Total designations to MNSWCA.org Mental Wellness Scholarship Fund: $2000.00