This is typical cult follower talk. Are you sure you're not a member? This is also NOT ad hominem because conflict of interest matters here. You should disclose if you are a member or represent a party.

For your question: Yes. Cults have lots of money coming from unknown sources. They use their budget for events like that, to attract potential followers. Contests and prizes are typical. Critiques are not important since their "ideas" are not really important. They're not even real ideas, they are means to bait specific kind of people.