YNOT – San Francisco-based Folsom Street Events®, a non-profit agency that brings the fetish community together to raise money for charitable organizations, donated $326,161 to local and national health, welfare and outreach efforts during 2010. Even in a slow economy, the president of FSE’s board of directors said fundraising lagged only slightly behind 2009’s level.

“2010 was a strong year for Folsom Street Events and our charities,” Jacob Richards said. “We are enormously grateful to our sponsors, beneficiaries, beverage partners and the leather/fetish community for the ongoing support. This check is only slightly lower than our check of $333,452 in 2009. Given the economic challenges facing all nonprofits, we feel that this check is a resounding success.”

According to FSE Executive Director Demetri Moshoyannis, “Everyone is well aware of the dire state of California’s economy. The size of our charitable check proves the strength and resilience of the leather/fetish community. The vast share of the check will support our 16 major and supporting beneficiaries, including Breast Cancer Emergency Fund, Dimensions Clinic, Mission Neighborhood Health Center, Project Open Hand and Queer Cultural Center, among others.

“Given what has been happening locally with other community organizations that distribute funds from special events, we feel particularly proud of our efforts,” he added. “Combined, we are supporting over 70 great charities in San Francisco and around the United States.”

Folsom Street Events hosted a reception to honor its beneficiaries, sponsors and nonprofit partners with a check ceremony. The event, by invitation only, occurred at The Armory in San Francisco, well known in the leather community as the home of Kink.com. Special invited guests included Supervisor Bevan Dufty, Folsom Street Fair on-stage emcees Heklina and Sister Roma and many others.

Folsom Street Events 2010 sponsors include:

• Presenting: RECON.com, NakedSword.com, Steamworks, Mr. S Leather, Kink.com, Manhunt.net and GLOSS
• Premier: Elbow Grease and Blow Buddies
• Charter: ExtremeRestraints.com and TitanMen.com
• Supporting: The Stockroom, Powerhouse, AdultFriendFinder.com, Gold’s Gym and StraightHell.net
• Charter Host Hotels: San Francisco Marriott, Joie de Vivre Hotels and Renoir Hotel
• Media: Bay Area Reporter and BAR Tab, SF Weekly, SF Station, Frontiers Magazine and GAYVN.

Folsom Street Events is a 501(c)3 nonprofit agency that produces seven annual fetish events: The San Francisco Party at IML, Bay of Pigs, Up Your Alley®, SF Leather Week Formal Dinner, Magnitude®, Folsom Street Fair® and DEVIANTS. The organization’s mission is to create volunteer-driven leather events that provide the adult alternative lifestyle community with safe venues for self-expression while emphasizing freedom, fun, frolic and fetish and raising funds to benefit charity.
During 2010, nearly 400,000 event attendees raised money for charitable donations. The organization has donated nearly $4.5 million to charity during its 27-year history.