HEART OF IRON Kickstarter & Charity
Good afternoon, lovelies!
I need your help.
As many of you know, because I am self-publishing Heart of Iron (after I finish rewriting and revising it), I'll be running a Kickstarter for it in February. One cool thing about Kickstarter is it lets you do something called stretch goals, basically bonus goals.
Ex: while I still have to factor in a few other calculations, in order to ensure a quality product and make sure I can ship out all the benefits to everyone who donates, my primary goal will be around $18k. But I also have a secondary goal of starting a line of CaFae Latte candles (with some help from our awesome Discord mod Fiend), so the stretch goal would be something like $20k, because they would need that extra $2k to get those candles started.
I also want to do a second stretch goal. Why? Charity.
As much as I believe in the power of books and stories to change and improve lives (I've gotten several messages and fan mail confirming that belief!), I also believe in more concrete action. So the next Heart of Iron stretch goal will include a sizeable donation to charity. (I'm thinking $10k. Reach for the stars, ya know?)
(Side note: my mom does something very similar. If you're into contemporary romance, she has a new novel out called Road Queens about an all-woman biker gang who team up to help survivors of domestic violence. 50% of her royalties is going to DV shelters, and yes, she gets paid full royalties even if you download it for free or cheap as an eBook/Kindle!)
The question is: which charity do I give the money to?
The first thing that came to mind is The Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization that focuses on helping, counseling, and empowering LGBTQ+ youth. Since literally every major character in Heart of Iron and CaFae Latte as a whole is queer, this seems like a natural choice.
However, Heart of Iron is not just about queer people. In fact, it doesn't really focus much on queer issues at all. JC has a couple of hiccups concerning their name change, but the bulk of their conflict is trying to rebuild their life after 6 years of prison, and trying to redeem themselves from their previous life of crime and drugs.
That's why I'm also considering 180 Degrees, an organization that focuses on helping those previously incarcerated re-enter society, as well as assist with homelessness, sex trafficking, family crisis, and a handful of other issues. They are also very queer friendly, even if that isn't the focus the way the Trevor Project is.
However, 180 Degrees is centered on Minnesota, where the book takes place. Trevor Project is national, and also far more recognizable. (Re: I might have more success with a Trevor Project charity just from their brand recognition.)
There are also hundreds of other organizations that I don't know about but could also be considered.
So I wanted to ask you guys: which organization would you like to see any extra money to go?
Also, if you haven't yet been able to join the Discord, here's a fresh link:
Comments (24)
Idk why it won't take my vote... I'll tap an option, the number of total votes will go up for a second and then pop right back down again as if I'd neve voted in the first place
This is such an awesome stretch goal! Chiming in from the UK (so it could be argued I don't have a horse in this race). From what you've said, 180° seems to fit better with the themes of the book. The goals of the Trevor Project are very close to my heart, but as others have said, they're more well known (even I've heard of them) so would likely have an easier time getting donations. And if 180° is queer friendly as you say then I'd say it covers that base too. So my vote is for 180°, but I'd be happy for donations to go to either. Excited for when the fundraising starts!
The Trevor Project is a very worthy cause, but I used to be a drug counselor and know up close and personal how hard it is for people coming home from incarceration.
Sweet! Slightly off-topic; you may have already read the rough draft, but would you be interested in beta reading the rewrite of HEART OF IRON? Specifically concerning JC's recovery journey; I've had limited exposure to that particular life experience.
While I grew up in Minnesota, it has been decades since I have lived there. Nonetheless, I voted for 180°. I think the Trevor project is great and I will gladly contribute, but I also know that the work 180° does also needs doing, needs more visibility, and is important. There are so many smaller charities that need more visibility. In the end, I will contribute to any charity you choose.
Please do let us know here when your Kickstarter goes live, preferably with a link to it. I've been getting spammed with so many email notices from Kickstarter I don't read those anymore.
Comment 3 of 2. Because it didn't seem fair to watchdog just one of the mentioned charities. Here's the rating from Charity Navigator on 180 Degrees, Inc. St Paul, MN. Charity Navigator: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/237153536 <b>90%</b> Still a recommended charity; the fault is that their tax info is not readily accessible on the web.
I didn't know Charity Navigator was a thing. Good find!
Comment 2 of 2. Here are links to a couple of charity watchdogs vis-a-vis The Trevor Project. Notwithstanding rumors, The Trevor Project is a highly rated organization with transparent finances. Charity Navigator: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/954681287 100% Charity Watch: https://www.charitywatch.org/charities/trevor-project A- It's important to me to check with the experts when people talk about something, and these are two unimpeachable sources to check on (national) charities. As stated, I prefer a local charity over a national, but I wouldn't be sad to see you choose The Trevor Project.
Here's comment 1 of 2. My inclination is for you to keep the donation local. Local charities are important, (and often do better work, IMO) because they're boots on the ground. National charities, for all the good they do, have a harder time with that, unless it's an affiliate system. That's why I voted for 180 Degrees. The mission is something that JC and some of the other characters could get behind. Maybe as clients first, then later as supporters or volunteers.
Would really rather an option for Palestinian charities. They need it a lot right now.
I like both ideas. I would love to see both get help. But in the end help getting a second chance is important.
I love both ideas but I'm also in the Midwest (Wisconsin) and would love to support something more localized. Plus 180 hits pretty close to home for me
As much as I would love to support The Trevor Project, they are very well known and do marketing frequently so are able to bring in funds with their work *much* easier. Smaller, or more accurately, lesser-known organizations need a lot of help to boost their reach or else they get literally nothing unless they work really really *EPICALLY REALLY* hard at fundraising. So because of this, PLUS the fact that the book is set in MN, I 1000% vote 180 Degrees. I think this is a fantastic decision for your stretch goal. It's unique and extremely fitting of, not just you, but also Bob et al. Perhaps a further stretch goal could be a 'unicorn horn' keychain from Nicole or a super secret recipe from JC? ;) ;)
I adore this idea! What a beautiful stretch goal! And I love seeing asexual representation as just an aspect of a character. Thank you. I think having your charity reflect the theme of the book will garner a larger response for both charity and book. The synergy will be more than the sum of the parts.
If I could find a national program like 180 Degrees, I'd suggest that. But since I haven't had any luck doing that, 180 Degrees it is!
I'm all for 180 degrees! Yes, the bases they cover do fit better with the overarching themes of the story, but also as a smaller and lesser known charity they might need a boost in funds like that much more than something as big and easily recognizable as the trevor project. And you promoting it (and maby sticking a mention directly into the book?) Would probably do them a world of good in terms of publicity and simply getting people to know they exist. Also what @Bubblegum said about the founder nabbing some of the funds for themselves has me slightly more hesitant of giving them money. I'll admit I have not done any research on this tho, so I really don't know about that one.
Heh, I should have read first! Brain twinning! :D
Will it be possible to donate from Europe. Btw. Just got Blackwing on paperback. Citadel I had to get the internet version. LOVE YOUR WRITING.
What about adding a third stretch goal at which point you start splitting the extra between charities? Don't know if that would be more hassle than it is worth, but a thought?
Here's my only thought on The Trevor Project. I /heard/ that the founder wasn't allocating funds the way they should have and were pocketing some of it. (If I've heard wrong, absolutely please correct me) so I'd rather donate to someone who I haven't heard bad about.
I've heard similar where people have called and basically been told they don't matter and should save the line for people who "actually need help" when said person DOES need help. Or that people are placed on hold for hours instead of helped. I don't really like the Trevor project anymore.
I absolutely cannot wait to buy the book
As an added option, you could always divide the money between charities.