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03/08/2005 11:17:04 AM · #1
After we started collecting for Lisa last night, I was wondering if we should start a real charity fund to help people out who might benefit from "help" getting a camera.

I posted this in that thread, and Dave Blackwell expressed his interest and in starting a board of directors, and getting it moving.

There are various scenarios where our donations could help. Not just a case like Lisas, but for example, James Stanton said he was working on a project "to help abused and mentally challenged children learn photography."

I think to do this, we need to start it right (and legally). We need volunteers for the board. We need someone who perhaps has established a foundation like this before. And perhaps someone with legal experience.

Please chime in and express how you might be willing to help.

Edit: Typos!

Message edited by author 2005-03-08 11:36:59.
03/08/2005 11:27:32 AM · #2
Well I have no experience in charity work, my parents are lawyers but that's irrelevant as you'd need direct and specialised advice from an American lawyer. So really I'm willing to help in any non-specialised way, perhaps with working out guidelines or a website. I'm good at writing stuff, should that need ever come up.
03/08/2005 11:31:41 AM · #3
As I posted in the other thread, I'd be glad to provide webspace and domain. I have no legal experience but I have access to a group of people who do.
03/08/2005 11:41:59 AM · #4
aKiwi gave me an adjunct idea in the other thread. We could also have people donate photos to sell either on DPCPrints or elsewhere, where all profits go into the foundation. Maybe Drew and Langdon would give this a special area? Or likewise, it could be done with stock photography.

Just brainstorming.
03/08/2005 11:42:45 AM · #5
I'm no expert on this, but one of the first things you probably need to do is set up as a 501.3.c non profit company. That way all donations made are tax deductable and you can canvas donations from corporations, such as Canon, Nikon... You'll probably want an accountant to help with that.

You'll also need to write a mission statement and business plan to get everything rolling.
03/08/2005 11:46:03 AM · #6
As support starts to trickle in for this potential project, I think it’s important to determine how much overall support there will be for the project. This is not something that will be up and running in a day or two. It will take some time to establish a board and determine a mandate.
If you think you might be interested in helping, let me know.
Without real interest and commitment from people the plan just falls apart, so please only express interest if you have the time to put into it.
Right now, I think the best thing to do is to see who is interested in helping and in what capacity. We will need board members, and other specialized skills such as a lawyer, a financial representative and perhaps someone involved with shipping of goods.
As things start to come together, I will inform everyone through the forum pages.

This is a great opportunity, lets not waste it!

Dave Blackwell.
03/08/2005 11:49:45 AM · #7
I'm in for sure!! This is a fantastic idea. Please keep me posted!
03/08/2005 11:51:57 AM · #8
I definitely have time to help out with this project(since I spend so much of it aimlessly browsing the message boards here, why not put it to better use!). I think this is a very exciting idea, and would love to help get if take off! I've been looking into starting to do some volunteer work soon, so this comes a a perfect time for me.

Deb
03/08/2005 11:55:18 AM · #9
Anyway I can help in this project just let me know.

My project isn't scheduled to take off until August. If anybody lives in the North Georgia area and is interested in helping. PM me and I will contact the friend that has started this thing. It is not going to be just photography it will involve anything the kids are interested in doing. For instance he said he also has a few kids that are into computers. Remember though this is not going to be a few months for me and probably anyone involved. We are talking a few years at the least.
03/08/2005 11:59:40 AM · #10
Originally posted by louddog:

That way all donations made are tax deductable and you can canvas donations from corporations, such as Canon, Nikon...


Camera mfrs might be willing to offer you refurbs at a substantial discount. I bought my daughter an excellent refurbished Canon Powershot, with full manual controls, for less than $100.
03/08/2005 12:07:41 PM · #11
Originally posted by scalvert:

Originally posted by louddog:

That way all donations made are tax deductable and you can canvas donations from corporations, such as Canon, Nikon...


Camera mfrs might be willing to offer you refurbs at a substantial discount. I bought my daughter an excellent refurbished Canon Powershot, with full manual controls, for less than $100.


Good idea.

Now we need your skills in coming up with a good name for the foundation (and maybe a new name for this thread.)
03/08/2005 12:08:06 PM · #12
There's a possibility that manufacturers could donate camera's in exchange for advertising in the form of

"Donated By the goods folks at: "

Just a thought.
03/08/2005 12:14:19 PM · #13
I had wanted to do something like this, also. I don't have time to commit right now, but I do have two suggestions to add. Would people maybe like to donate their "spare" cameras after perhaps upgrading or someone in their family has outgrown one or become disinterested? The other suggestion is a "fund" for those who would really like to participate as a full memeber, but can't afford the fee right now. I purchased a gift membership one day for someone online that seemed to really in a spot and it was a great way of supporting the site, too. The biggest problem I see is how to determine who receives or needs what.
03/08/2005 12:17:43 PM · #14
One consideration is to take precautions to prevent abuse.

It might be a good idea in the event of a camera damaged beyond repair to request that they send in the camera.

In the event of a stolen camera, send in a copy of the police report.

Again just thoughts.
03/08/2005 12:22:11 PM · #15
Originally posted by Kylie:

I had wanted to do something like this, also. I don't have time to commit right now, but I do have two suggestions to add. Would people maybe like to donate their "spare" cameras after perhaps upgrading or someone in their family has outgrown one or become disinterested? The other suggestion is a "fund" for those who would really like to participate as a full memeber, but can't afford the fee right now. I purchased a gift membership one day for someone online that seemed to really in a spot and it was a great way of supporting the site, too. The biggest problem I see is how to determine who receives or needs what.


I think we've decided that the best way to insure that those who really need help from this foundation as opposed to those trying to defraud it will be decided through the board.
03/08/2005 12:22:12 PM · #16
Originally posted by Kylie:

I had wanted to do something like this, also. I don't have time to commit right now, but I do have two suggestions to add. Would people maybe like to donate their "spare" cameras after perhaps upgrading or someone in their family has outgrown one or become disinterested? The other suggestion is a "fund" for those who would really like to participate as a full memeber, but can't afford the fee right now. I purchased a gift membership one day for someone online that seemed to really in a spot and it was a great way of supporting the site, too. The biggest problem I see is how to determine who receives or needs what.


We have done this once.

Raising Money for Membership

I am sure this would be something good also.
03/08/2005 12:24:07 PM · #17
Some thoughts to ponder:

what types of people will we be targeting to help? those who have photography experience and are in a not so ideal place to buy a new camera, or someone who could benefit from becoming involved with photography?

also, will the website simply deal with funding new camera purchases or will we also have a community for people to interact in after donating or receiving a donation?

i think an interesting concept could be a site for underprivelidged children to interact (much like we do here) and maybe even have some sort of challenges (but with less competitiveness..) not sure if this is way outside the scope of what everyone else had in mind or not...

just some brainstorming...

Deb



Message edited by author 2005-03-08 12:29:01.
03/08/2005 12:24:14 PM · #18
My wife is a CPA with experience with non-profit orgs (she's overcommitted already right now, but she'd be happy to answer questions), and I've started up a couple of businesses....so I'd be happy to be on the board....I think it's a brilliant idea.

You can email me at stephen@stephenboatright.com
03/08/2005 12:25:15 PM · #19
Anyone interested in participating along with nshapiro and myself please pm me.
03/08/2005 12:31:49 PM · #20
Not sure if this would help or not but it is something that has been on my mind a lot.

I was listening to an interview with a woman that was raised in an extremely poor family and now is very sucessful. When asked about things she felt she really missed out on from being so poor. She replied; she has no way of visiting the past except for fading memories. Her family like most other poor families do not have the means to buy a camera or film or even develop pictures so they have no way of preserving the past to view later. They do not get to show their kids pictures of them when they were young or even their ancestors.

This hit me hard, how rotten I felt wanting the newest camera out there when some people can't even buy a disposable one. I feel like I can and should do something about this but do not know what or how. I later found this website: //www.picturesmatter.com/home.asp
The founder kind of has the same idea except that photo developing is losing its touch with the advent of digital. Few prints ever get made anymore and they end up stuck on a computer or disk somewhere probably soon to be damaged and lost forever. I contacted them about my ideas and although interested I have not heard anything back and probably won't.

There has got to be a way to help these people preserve their past. I've even considered buying lots of disposables and distributing them to needy people with a self-addressed mailer back to me so I can get them developed but can't see how to do this. Anyone got any ideas?
03/08/2005 12:33:23 PM · #21
Well this sort of thing requires an expertise beyond anything I can offer, and as there seems to be so many people on this board who can and will help, my offer is probably superfluous.

However, if there is anything I can do, feel free to ask.
03/08/2005 12:34:21 PM · #22
Originally posted by zarniwoop:

Well this sort of thing requires an expertise beyond anything I can offer, and as there seems to be so many people on this board who can and will help, my offer is probably superfluous.

However, if there is anything I can do, feel free to ask.


I'm sure we will need your writing skills. There's a lot to write.
03/08/2005 12:38:30 PM · #23
I too would love to help with this effort. I missed my shot to contribute to lisa's camera.

Dean
03/08/2005 12:49:59 PM · #24
Like this? Born into Brothels
03/08/2005 12:57:02 PM · #25
How about we group brainstorm a mission statement.

For example, I'll start with the sentence:

The foundation shall collect funds and equipment to:

- Provide cameras and funding to programs in need focused on teaching and encouraging photography

Add your own bullets, and then we'll have lots to choose from. Not all will be selected (and I don't even know exactly who is doing the selection.)

I think we need to understand and agree on the scope and purpose of the foundation before taking any time-consuming steps.
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