NOVA Open Charitable Foundation was formed as a 501(c)3 non-profit in 2013 to organize the tabletop wargaming community in demonstrating the generosity of this compassionate force. In particular, the NOCF mission is focused on supporting charities dedicated to service and relief for veterans and their families, victims of war and disaster at home and abroad, patients of disease and medical research, as well as other non-profit organizations which fit the mission as determined by the Board of Directors. The NOCF is obligated to ensure, through tools like Charity Navigator, that charitable giving focuses on organizations which spend the vast majority of funds raised on direct support of their programs.
NOCF’s “Primary” Charities are outlined below. They have received focused and significant contributions from the wargamers and hobbyists since 2013:
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (DWB/MSF) is an international medical humanitarian organization that provides aid in nearly 60 countries to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe, primarily due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion from health care, or natural disasters. Its mission is to alleviate suffering, protect life and health, and to restore respect for human beings and their fundamental human rights. They provide medical care in emergencies, assisting the most vulnerable people in crisis due to conflict.
You can read more about DWB accomplishments, financials, and scores here:
BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, works to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime by providing critical funding for innovative clinical and translational research at leading medical centers worldwide, and increasing public awareness about good breast health. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised over $700 million to support research at medical institutions across the globe conducting the most advanced and promising breast cancer research that will help lead to prevention and a cure.
BCRF seeks to make breast cancer no longer life-threatening and to eventually eradicate breast cancer altogether through funding innovative clinical and translational research. BCRF supports the broadest portfolio of cancer research possible, supporting the entire spectrum from every angle, from prevention through treatments to survivorship.
You can read more about BCRF accomplishments, financials, and scores here:
FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION
Fisher House Foundation is best known for its network of 87 comfort homes where military and veterans' families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, and in Europe, close to the medical center or hospital it serves. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and veterans' families an estimated $500 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation. Fisher House Foundation also operates the Hero Miles Program, using donated frequent flyer miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members as well as the Hotels for Heroes program using donated hotel points to allow family members to stay at hotels near hospitals.
You can read more about FHF accomplishments, financials, and scores here:
