CLAW Makes Its Largest Charitable Distribution

Cleveland, Ohio, September 10, 2019 -- CLAW Corp. distributed a record $85,000 to community charities, representing the net profits of CLAW 19, held in April. Since it began in January 2002, CLAW’s annual event has now raised $680,000 for 52 charities. CLAW Corp. has helped raise an additional $290,000 at hundreds of smaller events around the country -- bringing CLAW Corp.’s fundraising total to $970,000.

22 different charities were awarded money, each with important missions. The largest shares were awarded to the Leather Archives and Museum ($23,000), the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland ($10,750), the Leather Heart Foundation ($9250), and Rainbow Railroad ($8500). For a complete list of beneficiaries and their missions please click here.

Big thanks to everyone who made these exciting results possible:

• Sixty sponsors, led by our five Master Sponsors: SquarePegToys®, Mr. S Leather, LeatherWerks, REV4Men, and FLEX Spas
• Hundreds of people and businesses that donated to the silent auctions
• 1001 volunteers, including more than 400 in leadership roles
• More than 2000 attendees

CLAW Corp. also elected four people to three-year terms on the Board of Directors: Jonathan Schroeder from San Francisco (manager of Mr. S Leather), Enza Silano from Toronto (comptroller of Northbound Leather), James Lee from Louisville Kentucky (International Mr. Leather 2018), and Merrill Squiers from Ann Arbor (long-time CLAW leader).

CLAW Corp. is a national leather charity that believes adult interest in leather, fetish, and BDSM is natural and healthy, and that we learn that from each other. We produce a large men’s conference in Cleveland, Ohio annually at the end of April.

CLAW 20 is April 23-26, 2020 at the Westin Cleveland Downtown and will feature more than 250 events and exhibitors, including the world’s largest curriculum of kinky sex education, a huge vendor mart, and dozens of parties. There is no leather contest at CLAW.

To download a copy of this press release in PDF format, please click here.

_{(Please click on the images below to see a full size image)}

CLAW Board members with Cleveland area beneficiaries holding up their check

CLAW Volunteers

Mission Statements of the Charities of CLAW 19

Leather Charities (“National” Charities) ($46,750; 55%):

1. Leather Archives and Museum ($23,000)
   Compiles, preserves and digitizes community history. Grant for general operating expenses, free museum Thursdays and Leather Preservation Project;
2. Leather Heart Foundation ($9250)
   Provides emergency financial assistance to community members across the country;
3. Team Friendly ($4000)
   Community volunteers fighting stigma of HIV through messages of love and support, effective conversation starters and a diverse product line;
4. CARAS (Community-Academic Consortium for Research on Alternative Sexualities) ($3000)
   Support in the study of alternative sexualities, and the dissemination of research results;
5. National Coalition for Sexual Freedom ($3000)
   Advances equal rights for consenting adults who engage in alternative sexual and relationship expressions;
6. Tom of Finland Foundation ($2500)
   Active community center in Los Angeles that protects, preserves, documents and educates about erotic art and erotic artists;
7. Woodhull Freedom Foundation ($2000)
   Affirms sexual freedom as a fundamental human right. Produces annual Sexual Freedom Summit.

    

   Cleveland and Ohio LGBTQ and AIDS Charities ($29,750; 35%)

8. LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland ($10,750)
   Provides a wide range of services to Cleveland area LGBTQ communities; grant funds SAGE (Services and Advocacy for LGBT Elders) program;
9. Prince of Peace Neighborhood Center ($4000)
   Computers, gardens and other support to 600 families in Cleveland’s Stockyard area;
10. Equitas Health - BRAVO Program ($1000)
    Offers culturally specific services and support for LGBTQI victims of violence;
11. AIDS Task Force of Greater Cleveland ($2000)
    Provides compassionate, collaborative response to HIV/AIDS. Donation earmarked for the Jon Britton food pantry;
12. Trials for Hope ($2000)
    Provides backpacks to LGBTQ+ Youth in crises including all day bus passes, flash lights, street cards to shelters and services, snacks and more;
13. Cleveland Aquatic Team ($1500)
    Fosters physical health and fitness, friendly competition, and community-building within the LGBT community and straight allies;
14. Equality Ohio Education Fund ($2000)
    Educates Ohio about LGBTQ equal opportunity;
15. Center for Integrated Therapies ($1000)
    Individualized treatment programs of complementary alternative therapies for pain for persons with HIV/AIDS;
16. B. Riley Sober House ($1500)
    LGBTQ+ sober living facility in Cleveland providing all a temporary, safe, affirming, recovery orientated living space;
17. Plexus ($1000)
    Improves the workplace environment for LGBTQ individuals through education, research and development, enriching the entire community;
18. Out Support, Inc. ($1000)
    Direct support, education and advocacy for the health and well-being of LGBTQ persons, their families and friends in Medina County, Ohio;
19. Rock n Roll Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence ($1000)
    Promotes safer health practices and elimination of hate, stigma, prejudice, ridicule and discrimination;
20. Blazing River ($500)
    Promotes the arts through community band music;
21. Ursuline Piazza ($500)
    Education and support for low-income, chemically dependent, minority, or mental health suffering HIV+ Clevelanders.

     

    National LGBTQ Charities ($8500, 10%)

22. Rainbow Railroad ($8500)
    Helps persecuted LGBTQI individuals travel to safety as they seek a safe haven from state-enabled harassment and violence.

To download a copy of this press release in PDF format, please click here.