Camera Charity.....Long Post - DPChallenge Forums

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

05/03/2005 12:05:04 PM · #1

As many of you know we have started tinkering with the idea of doing some sort of charity. Beginning in August I will start doing something similar to this. I will be going to a secondary school to talk with mentally challenged and abused children ranging in age from 10 to 16 about Digital Photography. If any kids show any interest I will take them on school grounds to take photos then upload them to a website and help them improve. When the time is right I will discuss the matter with the admins here to see if I can do a multiple membership through here so that everyone that donates can see where there money is going. If any of these kids show a big interest in it I plan to give them a camera through this same charity. I have discussed this with my lawyer and a bank representative. My lawyer told me all I needed was a Business License and that was also what I was told by the Bank Rep. to set up a checking account. I have talked with the county I live in about a Business License and this type might be exempt from any charges for a Business License. If so I will find out and let everyone know today but I need a name. I do have $100 to spare as of now and will put that in the account to begin with. If you wish to donate and help then once everything is rolling I will post the e-mail where to send the money to so mark this as a watched thread. Paypal seems the best way. As of now there is no name so if anyone has suggestions then let me know. I had something in mind like Cameras4Kids but that limits me to kids and isn't as broad as I want this to go. For those that were involved in this I am not trying to go around everyone I would just like something in place by August and this is the best way I see for me to go about it. Once everything is done then if I need to combine this one with the other one then I will do so. If I could afford it I would do this all myself but I am like most people with kids and money is very limited. Once a Business License and a bank account are taken care of I will e-mail all the major camera manufacturers and see what kind of assistance they will provide. If donations go well then I will find a company to get a website started for this Charity. Just so you know 100% of all donations will go to the charity.

Message edited by author 2005-05-12 14:45:09.

Kavey

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

05/03/2005 12:15:44 PM · #2

Lovely idea, Rex!

A name including the word "access" might work.

It seems to me that this charity will be about giving people:-

*an exposure to images
*a path to understanding and appreciating different styles and content
*an opportunity to take images themselves and to improve at this endeavor with the support of fellow photographers
*friendly lessons on digital (and possibly traditional) post processing techniques
*the opportunity to present their work in different mediums (prints, posters, websites and any other way you can think of) so that they can share it with others

As a starting point:

Photo Access
Photography 4 All
Image Fun
Image Access

Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX Diagonal Fisheye for Nikon

05/03/2005 12:22:46 PM · #3

Thanks Kavey......I like this one.

Originally posted by Kavey:

Photography 4 All

muckpond

Nikon D200

05/03/2005 12:28:46 PM · #4

you should get in touch with the Very Special Arts organization in your state and see if they have some kind of photography program. (Georgia has a VSA Affiliate.)

A very good friend of mine works with the VSA program here and has helped establish a photography program for elementary school students through that organization. With help from the NEA and other donors, they've built up a small library of equipment and software and offer some after-school and summer camp type classes.

I also met a wonderful woman at a conference a few years back who works with a children's group for underpriviledged kids in Harlem. I can't find the link to their site, but she brought a couple of the kids with her to the conference and their work was just flat-out stunning. I am going to keep digging for that as well.

Rob

edit: can't spell priviledged right the first time ever

Message edited by author 2005-05-03 12:30:49.

saiphfire

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

05/03/2005 12:29:23 PM · #5

I think it would be cute to have a play on words with either "exposure" or "develop" - i.e. "photography exposures" or "developing photographers" or something. I can't think of anything really good right now, but if I do I'll edit this post.

05/03/2005 12:30:06 PM · #6

I also need to include where this idea originated for a Camera Charity:

//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=182257

And sfboatright

started this:
//www.beamishboyproductions.com/phpBB2/phpBB2/index.php

sabphoto

Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+

05/03/2005 12:30:38 PM · #7

Totally awesome idea Rex. I wish I lived closer to you, I have been fighting with a way to help under privledged people and kids get photos and interested in it but do not know where to start. Kudos to you for taking the ball and running with it. I hope everything goes good. If I can think of a name I'll post it, but just wanted to commend you on your efforts. By the way I seem to remember way back in my head seeing cameras4kids somewhere...you may want to check to make sure its not out there already...maybe I'm just thinking of something else.---found it...it was Kids with Cameras.

Best of luck

Message edited by author 2005-05-03 12:32:26.

Kylie

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

05/03/2005 12:34:12 PM · #8

I think Kavey's idea about the word Access is excellent, as is your whole idea. Is there any chance of allowing people on DPC to donate their older cameras when they upgrade? Or even groups from other photo websites? I would like to contribute when you get up and running.

glad2badad

DJI Mavic Air 2

Sears 55mm f/1.4 M42

05/03/2005 12:36:28 PM · #9

There is an active DPC member group in place that you may want to talk to also... clictacamera

Donald Poirier is the contact person.

05/03/2005 12:41:09 PM · #10

Originally posted by Kylie:

Yes I will also involve the donating of old cameras and will set everything up so you can claim the fair market value of the camera on your taxes.

sabphoto

Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+

05/03/2005 12:43:13 PM · #11

I like the access theme but something is telling me to do something with aperture, since it is technically an opening, I was thinking of something along the lines of "Opening the Aperture" talking about opening their creativity or opportunities. Just an idea

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/03/2005 12:44:42 PM · #12

How I would love to take the idea for this as my own it was orginally
nshapiro's
Then we started work with a few other people here. Sorry I can't remember everyone.

I was approached by a teacher at my girl's gymnastics class about the kids he teaches because he had heard of my recent interest in Digital Photography and ask for my help as an outlet for these kids. Some are in their teens and won't talk to anyone because of the abuse that they have been around.(I know it is a sad and cruel world we live in) Hopefully this will give them a way to express what they feel.

Message edited by author 2005-05-03 12:46:05.

PollyBean

Canon EOS-5D

05/03/2005 12:47:21 PM · #13

I think this is a great idea. A wonderful way to give young people a creative outlet. Best of luck with the project Rex

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

05/03/2005 12:51:34 PM · #14

Originally posted by glad2badad:

There is an active DPC member group in place that you may want to talk to also... clictacamera

Donald Poirier is the contact person.

I have seen that and thanks for reminding me.....I will contact him when I get home this evening.

kawesttex

Apple iPhone 11 Pro

05/03/2005 12:51:56 PM · #15

If this is along the lines of golf for the underprivileged or inner city kids, what about First Photo. Whether the recipients ever take off with it they could still get a print of their first photo and would have that as a memory that someone gave them a chance to do something different without it hurting them.

Great idea!

Message edited by author 2005-05-03 12:52:09.

glad2badad

DJI Mavic Air 2

Sears 55mm f/1.4 M42

05/03/2005 12:53:30 PM · #16

There was a great article in this month's issue of Smithsonian Magazine that may be of interest to those reading this thread. Can't remember the name of it off the top of my head...it was about the gal who gave cameras to a bunch of kids in India. The kids had been born into brothels over there. I believe her program is expanding now to other areas of the world...

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

05/03/2005 01:16:30 PM · #17

If you want to ask camera-makers (and others) for donations, then you will probably need to incorporate as an educational non-profit, and apply to the IRS for tax-exempt status.

Your best resource for books and forms on how to do this is probably Nolo Press. You really want to do this anyway, to shield yourself from any personal liability for business-related activities. You'll need a couple of kinds of insurance, too ... : (

sabphoto

Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+

05/03/2005 01:19:52 PM · #18

Originally posted by glad2badad:

might be this one mentioned in an earlier thread:
//www.kids-with-cameras.org/bornintobrothels/film.php

glad2badad

DJI Mavic Air 2

Sears 55mm f/1.4 M42

05/03/2005 01:39:02 PM · #19

Yep - That was it. Sorry I missed the earlier thread. Hijack over. ;^)

Originally posted by sabphoto:

Originally posted by glad2badad:
There was a great article in this month's issue of Smithsonian Magazine that may be of interest to those reading this thread. Can't remember the name of it off the top of my head...it was about the gal who gave cameras to a bunch of kids in India. The kids had been born into brothels over there. I believe her program is expanding now to other areas of the world...

might be this one mentioned in an earlier thread:
//www.kids-with-cameras.org/bornintobrothels/film.php

05/03/2005 01:39:23 PM · #20

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Leave it up to you to ruin a good thing......jk ;-)

I have dicussed this matter with my attorney and he has told me all I need is a license.....Once October gets here I will have more money to spare and will dicuss the matter of incorporating the Charity with him.....this stuff cost money....I am sure he will cut me a deal as he did for my business...he incorporated me for $100. Thanks for the link I will look at it in depth.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

05/03/2005 01:45:36 PM · #21

You only need the other stuff to solicit tax-deductible donations, not to run the project : )

The books/forms from Nolo generally let you do all the paperwork yourself -- since you have an attorney, you can have it reviewed before submitting, but might save some money in document preparation, plus you'll understand what you're signing.

05/03/2005 01:49:54 PM · #22

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Will probably do this to save money....I trust my lawyer he is a good friend I have had long before he bacame a lawyer. You are right I need it to accept tax-deductable donation. I need to save anywhere I can right now and don't want to just blow money....the more I can do without spending donation money the better. I want to be able to take all money given and have it work for the kids and not for the charity.

Message edited by author 2005-05-03 13:51:23.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

05/03/2005 01:55:35 PM · #23

You'll also need (I think) two trusted local people who are willing to be on the Board of Directors with you.

05/03/2005 02:01:01 PM · #24

Originally posted by GeneralE:

You'll also need (I think) two trusted local people who are willing to be on the Board of Directors with you.

Do they need to be local? I was hoping on getting some people from here.