Charity
Support the Future of Speculative Fiction
This year, BayCon’s charity efforts are dedicated to benefiting the Society for the Promotion of Speculative Fiction’s Grants and Scholarships Fund. Building on last year’s success—when we raised over $2,500—we are committed to increasing support for emerging and diverse voices in speculative fiction. Each grant requires $5,000 in funding, and our Clarion West Scholarship, which provides a full-ride workshop opportunity for one talented student, requires $5,500. Your generous contributions empower aspiring writers and help shape the future of the genre.
The Society's Grants
Brand New Voices Grant
Unlock the potential of tomorrow’s writers with the Brand New Voices Grant. Designed for ambitious young authors aged 18–25 who have not yet been published, this grant provides essential financial support for training, resources, and other expenses—allowing these emerging talents to focus on crafting their speculative fiction masterpieces.
New Voice of Experience Grant
Honor the wisdom of life’s seasons with the New Voice of Experience Grant. Aimed at aspiring authors aged 50 and older who have yet to be published, this grant helps cover the costs of workshops, resources, and publishing, encouraging seasoned storytellers to share their enriched perspectives and timeless tales.
New Voice of the Global Majority Grant
Celebrate and amplify the stories that reflect our diverse world with the New Voice of the Global Majority Grant. This initiative supports unpublished BIPOC writers of any age by covering writing-related costs such as workshops, resources, and publishing expenses, fostering a richer, more inclusive literary landscape.
New Voice of the Rainbow Grant
Elevate the narratives of the LGBTQ+ community with the Rainbow Spectrum Voices Grant. This program empowers unpublished LGBTQ+ writers dedicated to exploring LGBTQ+ themes in speculative fiction by offering financial assistance for workshops, resources, and publishing costs—ensuring these important stories reach a wider audience.
Clarion West Scholarship
The Clarion West Scholarship is a flagship opportunity designed to nurture emerging talent by providing a full-ride workshop experience at one of speculative fiction’s most esteemed writing workshops. Clarion West has a storied reputation for launching the careers of countless influential authors, and its rigorous training has helped redefine the genre. Our scholarship, which requires $5,500 in funding, enables one deserving student to attend free of charge—an investment that helps unlock the potential of a new voice in speculative fiction.
Your support for the Clarion West Scholarship is critical in ensuring that promising writers have the opportunity to hone their craft and contribute to the future of the genre.
Every donation counts in our mission to nurture the creative voices that will define the future of speculative fiction. Join us in supporting these initiatives and help make a lasting impact on the literary landscape.
Charity Events
Charity Auction
Join us for our standard Charity Auction—exactly as it sounds. In this lively, call-and-response auction, you’ll bid on unique items and experiences that not only add to your BayCon memory bank but also support our mission to fund these vital grants and scholarships. Every bid you make goes directly toward empowering emerging voices in speculative fiction.
Charity Karaoke
Get ready to take the stage at our Charity Karaoke, where every song sung makes a difference! With a fee-per-song format, all proceeds go directly to our charity fund. Last year’s Karaoke was such a huge hit that we added two extra sessions at the Chaos Stage. This year, we’re excited to bring it back to the Chaos Stage, promising a fun, energetic, and uplifting experience as we come together to support an amazing cause.