About the Community Fund
The best thing about Worldcon is the people. Worldcon is an event where amazing, awesome people come together to create, to learn, to make, to do, and to participate with one another as we build our community together.
This community becomes amazing when we are able to help as many people as we can gather together. In reality, not everyone finds it financially easy to attend Worldcon.
The LA Worldcon Community Fund (LAWCF), inspired by the funds and initiatives that have come before, is here to facilitate bringing more people into our community. The LAWCF is a special fund to help defray the expenses of attending LAcon V for the following groups of people:
- Fans or program participants from marginalized racial and ethnic groups
- LGBTQIA+ fans or program participants
- Los Angeles and Anaheim area fans of limited means
If you would like to learn more about the LAWCF and how donations will be utilized, please head to our FAQ, below.
Apply for Assistance
Would you like to attend LAcon V but need assistance?
Apply for a pay-what-you-can membership (including full attending and virtual/online memberships)
Apply for financial assistance (do not fill out if you ONLY need a membership)
We will distribute memberships and funds in waves, and anticipate our first round of approvals happening in April of 2026 followed by a second round in July of 2026 (exact dates TBA). August 24 is the last day to apply for a membership or assistance.
Donate Money or Memberships
Making a financial gift in any amount to the LA Worldcon Community Fund (LAWCF) makes a huge difference! No gift is too small because it all adds up. On behalf of LAcon V, we thank you for your generous support of the LAWCF.
Please use the buttons below to make a contribution of money to the fund. Donations are processed through Stripe, the same as our registration system uses. LAcon V does not see or retain your credit card information.
Do you have a membership you can no longer use? If circumstances have changed and you will no longer be able to attend, you may donate the attending portion of your membership to the Fund instead. Please email the fund administrators at fund@lacon.org to get the donation process started.
LAWCF FAQ
How will funds from the LAWCF be used?
Funds donated to the LAWCF will be used to help defray the costs for applicants to the fund to attend LAcon V. Applicants may use fund money to pay for membership fees, lodging costs, travel costs, or meals—whatever will help them most in being able to attend LAcon V
Who can apply for the LAWCF?
Individuals from the following groups can apply to the LAWCF for assistance:
- Fans or program participants from marginalized racial and ethnic groups
- LGBTQIA+ fans or program participants: any individual who identifies as LGBTQIA+ from anywhere in the world.
- Los Angeles and Anaheim area fans of limited means: any individual who lives within a 120 mile radius of the convention site and has limited means may apply for the fund.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes! LAcon V is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. As such, your donation will be tax deductible.
Can I get a tax receipt?
Yes! Any donation may receive a tax receipt. Please email your request for a receipt to fund@lacon.org.
Will I be able to know exactly who my donation went to?
All funds given out by the LAWCF will be confidential. We will provide general statistics and information about the awards given, but specific award information will not be made public.
What if the LAWCF has left-over money at the end of LAcon V?
Any money leftover in the LAWCF will be donated to a future Worldcon fund with similar purpose or to any other non-profit entity in fandom operating to help bring marginalized communities to Worldcon.
Help! You didn’t answer my question…
If we didn’t answer your question here, please email us at fund@lacon.org for further assistance.
