Would you donate to this? (Full Version)

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NeedToUseYou -> Would you donate to this? (12/24/2009 4:15:24 PM)

Well, it being Christmas, I thought of all the charities out there, and honestly I don't like donating to them, because they mostly just band-aid situations, which is needed, but I like permanent solutions.

So, I was thinking of starting a site for next Christmas.

The idea is not to help thousands or hundreds or even a few, but help one person. So, the whole idea is to let individuals donate starting next year, the money will pool in a verified paypal account, then I'll have people send in submissions of the people they feel are very good people that just have been shit on by fate or whatnot.

On Dec 25 of next year, we (I and a few others), will have vetted from those one person to receive all the money. Rules are, the receiver of the christmas present can not know me, be related, have any form of direct business relationship etc.. A true stranger to me, before Dec 25, 2009 (I will need to investigate them before Dec 25,2010), so they can't be a stranger up to next christmas.


I do know a few accountants that probably can set it all up legal. I'm not sure if it'll be tax deductible as in an official charity, but that is minor really as the idea is just a few bucks from many.

My question is would you donate to something like that? I'm not asking for literal donations now, just testing if the idea would be popular. I think it'd be great, but sometimes my views on things are not the consensus view.

I already found a good .com name for it, and it's available.

Now, I wouldn't charge anything to select the person, nor run the site, etc.... All donations will go either to the person, or to pay for the direct cost associated with verifying, locating, etc... I wouldn't pocket a dime of the donations though.

I think it is a good idea, sorta like buying a lottery ticket for a stranger sortof.









lusciouslips19 -> RE: Would you donate to this? (12/24/2009 4:19:35 PM)

I dont think I would do this because I dont know you and you would obviously have acess to this account. So without knowing you, how do I know this money wouldnt end up funding a bunch of things for you or be given to someone in some subjective way? Not trying to be offensive, but I have questions about how money is allocated even with reputable charities.

A paypal account can be used for "income".



NeedToUseYou -> RE: Would you donate to this? (12/24/2009 4:22:03 PM)

Well, that is what certified accountants are for. They would verify the money is there. There credentials would be verifiable through the state.

edited to add... to know the person was actually a stranger. Well, you could if you wanted I suppose find and ask them. However, there is no method of verifying that before next christmas, when the person gets announced.




DarkSteven -> RE: Would you donate to this? (12/24/2009 4:47:57 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: NeedToUseYou

Well, that is what certified accountants are for. They would verify the money is there. There credentials would be verifiable through the state. 


Nope, a CPA makes sure that the funds are present and accounted for.  If you legally divert funds to a personal slush fund, they won;t object. 
quote:



edited to add... to know the person was actually a stranger. Well, you could if you wanted I suppose find and ask them. However, there is no method of verifying that before next christmas, when the person gets announced.



It sounds like a weird reality show to me.



sunshinemiss -> RE: Would you donate to this? (12/24/2009 5:10:21 PM)

We have this really interesting thing here.  It's called United Way.  Might want to look into it.

*sarcasm aside, perhaps your motives are sincere, but I don't know you from a can of paint.  Are you going to get 501 (c)3 status?  Tax deductions?   Open financials?   Board of Directors?  Starting a non profit is tough.  (I'm presuming that's what you're doing) but it is doable - heck I've done it!  But it takes a lot of work.

Good luck.
sunshine



Level -> RE: Would you donate to this? (12/24/2009 5:12:59 PM)

I doubt Need would scam any money, but no, I wouldn't donate. I already have certain groups or individuals I give to.



cpK69 -> RE: Would you donate to this? (12/24/2009 5:20:43 PM)

My mind doesn’t see this idea as a permanent solution.

I'm having a hard time with the idea of singling out one, of many.

I’ve always thought something like “Pay It Forward” would be kind of kool, but couldn’t say if it would actually work or not; nor have I had any thoughts as to what would be a good starting point.

Kim



littlewonder -> RE: Would you donate to this? (12/24/2009 5:29:11 PM)

No I wouldn't.
When there's someone I know who is in need of desperate help I just approach them and help them in whatever way I can..feed them, give them some warm clothes, help them to find ways of making their lives better through jobs, churches, shelters, etc....Sometimes people just need a shove in the right direction to get their lives back on track.

Giving someone a handout does nothing to help their situation.



barelynangel -> RE: Would you donate to this? (12/24/2009 5:29:53 PM)

OP - I wouldn't donate to it. I would if my friends started it up and i knew them. We sorta did this kind of stuff back home and people would pool money throughout the year. During the holidays i donate to individual strangers by buying actual items for people. There are ways to adopt families for the holidays. This means you don't have to give money but items. I also donate money to many charities throughout the year. I use to, i don't much now, but i use to pick a nursing home eery year all year in Chicago -- well my friends and i and we use to buy gifts for every person, we would go visit them, help make the small holidays as exciting as the big ones -- bake them things or just spend time with them. We didn't need to go through a charity, we ourselves were the charity. I once gave a veteran's day card to an elderly man in a nursing home and said thank you. And he had tears in his eyes and when i asked why, he said he didn't think anyone remembered.

People can easily give to others in need without going through a charity. A group of people can determine to anonymously donate money or things to a family they feel is worthy of same and in need. You can buy a whole bunch of blankets (army ones are awesome) and go down to where the homeless congretate in your area outside and pass them out. You can get gift cards to grocery stores or restaurants and donate them to homeless people on the street. If someone asks you for change, take them to dinner.

I don't see the need to pay into an anonymous paypal account for one person. While some charities aren't all that they are cracked up to be, there are many that are as well as many things people can individually do to help ONE person over the course of a whole year instead of simply waiting for christmas.

I think your heart is in the right place but there are so many things you can do throughout the year with people you know without having to worry about setting up an anonymous account for anonymous people for an anonymous person to get at Christmas.

If you see someone who needs a blanket -- give them one. If you see someone who is hungry, take them in a restuarant for a hot meal, of you see someone who seems ill, take them to a doctor's office and pay for the visit, if you buy canned goods, buy extra to give to the local food bank. If you have clothes you don't wear anymore, give them to places who will get them to people who will or hand them to homeless people you see on the street. During the summer if you know someone elderly who may not get out a lot, take them with you and the kids to the park.

I know people love donating around this time of year but there is so much little stuff people can do throughout the year that will help ONE person. Just think, if you decide to help one person with one little thing every day of the year -- you will have somehow positively affected 352 individuals in one year.

Good luck with your attempt, as i said, its a good heart. But maybe try and not be so anonymous or money only, and you will see how much you can give.

I know people don't realize but there are nursing homes and senior centers who have elderly who are very lonely. They have hobbies and stuff they like to do, but no longer have anyone to help them do it or the means to do so.

angel



MissBeautiful2U -> RE: Would you donate to this? (12/24/2009 5:35:01 PM)

Not a chance would I donate to something like that.  Why? Because regardless of what I was told about accountability and accountants and etc, it would not be a charity that I trusted.  Considering it would only help one person, I'd prefer to contribute to 'band-aids' because while they are not fixes, they can sometimes help and give the people time to help fix themselves.  I love that you wish to help

One idea I had many years ago (but have never had the time or money to implement) is an idea for a non-profit that helps people to get on their feet and help themselves.  This would include giving them shelter if they need it, educating them in a skill/trade/school, and providing for their necessities.  They would 'earn' their own way by performing jobs or tasks for the non-profit.  (examples would be maintenance work, childcare, etc... things that help the non-profit keep running and providing services.  They could also earn points towards purchases of items in the 'store' by completing various tasks that would be designed to help them become more self-sufficient and well-rounded.  Ideas I have for that would include completing worksheets or summaries of parenting books, preparing a resume, attending workshops, etc.  For children, it would include perhaps spending an hour with a tutor, completing workshees, reading a book, perhaps some physical activity such as participate in an 'afterschool gym activity' or something.  Adults could 'purchase' necessities such as diapers, or things that they might want like lotions, or whatever.  Kids might be able to earn fun stuff that their families might not be able to afford otherwise.

The idea is that the help would be more than just giving someone something, but let them earn it by doing things that were helpful and beneficial to them or which would help the charity off-set costs.

Perhaps since you wish to help one person/family significantly, you might be able to find a family or person to mentor and assist?  Help them prepare or find a good job, etc? 



NeedToUseYou -> RE: Would you donate to this? (12/24/2009 6:26:58 PM)

LOL. So, much paranoia.

Anyway, I'm no legal expert, I just thought of it, I'll ask some more people, that are more knowledgeable on setting such things up.

I wasn't really asking though if you trusted me, in particular, as that is largely irrelevant as if it was actually done, I'd never mention it here, charities associated with perv sites, wouldn't be a good thing in the public eye. So, don't worry I won't be hitting up anyone here for any money. LOL.

My question is more based around the idea, if it was set up via the appropriate channels.

As far as me personally adopting a family, that will never happen. I'm not well off enough to send them to college, or what not. I'm not interested either in just providing subsidence.

You know the idea is sort of like giving someone enough money to start a legit business or something, or enough money to go to a good college full ride, or whatnot.

I won't donate to big charities either, because I can't see who is benefiting directly.

I guess I can just make more money for myself, and forget it though.

Anyway, I'll ask some others what they think, and what is required.

Thanks.



barelynangel -> RE: Would you donate to this? (12/24/2009 6:30:49 PM)

You know adopting a family can mean whole lot more than just giving money for big things. You can take the kids out for an afternoon at the park or movies or such, you can buy them a meal, you can get the kids school supplies. You can fill up a gas tank. Make a bill payment etc. It doesn't take a lot to help.

grins, you can also start a savings account for the kids they have trusts that can be set up for same and put money in their for college etc. You don't necessarily need to pay off college. People do this kind of stuff all the time as fundraisers or such for families who have lost loved ones like cops and such. In our old neighborhood we use to have benefits for families of loved ones who were lost unexpectedly or had an illness crop up or lost a job etc. Those were a lot of fun because we would have raffles and people would do pot luck it was like a big neighborhood block party and everyone would pay to get in and we would raise thousands of dollars in a night and people would continue to contribute to the benefit fund which was set up at banks.

You coud do it this way and select the person first and then raise money for that person or family wherein people will donate into a bank account that is for the benefit of the person or family.

angel



BOUNTYHUNTER -> RE: Would you donate to this? (12/24/2009 6:38:23 PM)

This subject is along the lines of what I posted in Bountys place, the spread of good will year round instead of just around the holidays, of helping 24-7 instead of the holidays,My lady D and I are discussing strating a foundation just to do this...B



tsatske -> RE: Would you donate to this? (12/24/2009 6:41:46 PM)

I have to admit, I wouldn't. I am very picky about my charities, and this would be a new charity with no back ground. I would be nervous about how you would pick the one person or family. Not nervious that you would know them, just that I wouldn't approve of your choice. I often donate to one person or family at a time when individual chartibal bank accounts are set up (such as for a family burned out of a home in my community, ect. Ny niece had one set up for her when her mother was killed, they hold a bike run and hog roast every year, still, and it goes to her college fund).
But, when I think of how families are selected, I remeber when my kids were small and I decided to 'adopt a child' in an underdevoloped country. they sent me the child's info packet, and I didn't join. I was so offended! This was a child with a mother and father that loved them, and 2 brothers and a sister (I can still remeber that, because the family setup corrosponded with my own children). I wanted to give those people money, but I just could not give my money to the people who wrote that insulting 'social work report'. It made things that were no doubt perfectly comfortable for that family sound torid and awful! I was so angry and insulted for them, and I don't like people tugging my heart strings at the expense of someone elses dignity.
Turns out I was right, you know - a decade later, that charity was all but shut down for misuse of funds.
If I don't know the charity personally - and a couple of my favoirt charities, I know very intamiately - I like to see a report from these people, on how much of the funds go to where they are supposed to go -

The Samaritan Guide

Good luck, though. Merry Christmas.



lusciouslips19 -> RE: Would you donate to this? (12/24/2009 7:08:12 PM)

I had this thought when I wanted to post(did it on fetlife) to raise money for the ALSWalk4life in september. My mother had and died from A.L.S a month ago. But at the time we were doing the walk and I wanted to get the word out to raise money. I thought about the whole paypal thing. I talked about it to my sister. I then realized that their website had a link where they accepted donations on line with visa or mastercard. Its a very legitimate site. When I posted on fetlife. Someone actually went and looked and said thank you for the legitamacy of your post and the link. So it was much better linking to an actual foundation that has raised millions and done a lot of good for many.

I am quite proud to say my team raised over 10,000 dollars.



pahunkboy -> RE: Would you donate to this? (12/24/2009 7:37:10 PM)

I try to keep donations local.



Arpig -> RE: Would you donate to this? (12/24/2009 7:38:53 PM)

Speaking as a person on the pverty line who has to bedget brutally & juggle shit like crazy, some of the ideas presented in this thread would be a HUGE help...even just a couple of pairs of new socks can make a big difference in somebody's life. And paying a hundred or so on a utility bill is an absolute godsend!



MissBeautiful2U -> RE: Would you donate to this? (12/24/2009 8:53:44 PM)

It is not paranoia... there are a lot of scams out there.  And my response had Nothing to do with my level of trust for you or the fact that I first encountered you on a kinky site.  If I heard about something like this on the local news, there is no way I would donate.  I just wouldn't.  I am sure there would be some who would.  But, my guess is it would not be most people.

The idea behind it seems good, but I would never trust it to be legit and not a scam... regardless of where I encountered it.  When/if you do pursue this, keep that in mind and confront that fear in your marketing of the project.  I wish you the best.



LadyPact -> RE: Would you donate to this? (12/24/2009 9:08:39 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: NeedToUseYou

LOL. So, much paranoia.

Anyway, I'm no legal expert, I just thought of it, I'll ask some more people, that are more knowledgeable on setting such things up.

I wasn't really asking though if you trusted me, in particular, as that is largely irrelevant as if it was actually done, I'd never mention it here, charities associated with perv sites, wouldn't be a good thing in the public eye. So, don't worry I won't be hitting up anyone here for any money. LOL.

My question is more based around the idea, if it was set up via the appropriate channels.

As far as me personally adopting a family, that will never happen. I'm not well off enough to send them to college, or what not. I'm not interested either in just providing subsidence.

You know the idea is sort of like giving someone enough money to start a legit business or something, or enough money to go to a good college full ride, or whatnot.

I won't donate to big charities either, because I can't see who is benefiting directly.

I guess I can just make more money for myself, and forget it though.

Anyway, I'll ask some others what they think, and what is required.

Thanks.



To answer your original question, no I wouldn't because I don't know you personally and have no idea of what the criteria would be (other than what you mentioned) for the selection process of who would receive the funds next Christmas.

If you really are serious about starting something like this up, I do know someone who can help advise you.  His name is KinkMasterDave on this site and can be found by going through My friends list on My profile.  I'm not sure of how often he visits CM these days, but I'll be happy to act as a go between if needed.  This is the gentleman who set up the Leather Angel's Fund in the Atlanta area and every year they 'adopt' a family in need to help at Christmas.  He has plenty of experience with non profit status, etc that you may need for your project.  The Leather Angel's Fund folks most recently had a booth at Twisted Toyland in Atlanta just a couple of weeks ago and to My knowledge are still going strong.

I should mention that LAF was started in the kink community and has always had ties within it, so I can't particularly agree with you that such connections are bad for a charity. 

Feel free to contact Me on the other side and I'll be more than happy to answer any questions that you might have.



Termyn8or -> RE: Would you donate to this? (12/24/2009 10:13:36 PM)

In a word no. Discounting any trust issues, let's assume there is 100% accountability and you are fair and honest. I don't think the whole idea is structured quite right. I think when we the donors pull out of our pockets collectively, that power should be used for more than the betterment of one. I think we could make more difference by other actions, up to and including the hiring of lobbyists. Something like that could have a positive effect for many if not all. Purchasing power is not something to be abused.

Unless this is a quite large operation I think it wise to forget about the really high hopes, such as grooming a future President or any other pie in the sky notions.

But then people can do what they want with their money and I have no objection to helping people, I just do it more directly. First of all you cut out the middleman and it's cheaper and more effective. In this case if you want to donate the time and resources to set it up, that is likewise your perogative.

The problem that I, among others that might prove to be a problem is in the choice of the recipient(gr). Perhaps the democratic process would be appropriate for such a project. Optimally this would entail that all donors can submit candidates for contention for the money. All donors would vote, and their vote weighed by their donation amount, or not........ that itself would be something to figure out in the beginning. Just because you can afford more your vote should have more weight ? That is something to decide up front for sure.

However your plan in it's current form is not going to attract alot of donors. No matter what the money is used for people all have their own notion where it should go. Possibly the best attraction for possible donors would be the democratic selection of the recipient. What other charity offers that choice, or even a say in it ?

There are many out there vying for charity dollars along with any other disposable income people may think they have. To compete you need an edge. The only edge I can see for something like this is what I just wrote. Present it as a different form of charity. Candidates may be known by their nominators, but that is reported and well known, there is no secret.

Structured that way, I might even participate, and I now know who my nominee would be, my nextdoor neighbor. He has been a friend for along time, and is struggling. Ironically I have people who are living with me, I take care of that personally, but I would not nominate them. They, as I have put it straight to them, they have burned all the bridges back to anywhere they want to go. They fucked up. However my neighbor did not. He needs money for house taxes and a few repairs, some a bit pricey. But he still works, albeit in this economy for half of what he used to make but never stops trying. They took his license and what did he do ? He rode a bicycle almost thirty miles each way to and from work.

You see, in my view the recipient must also be trustable, and as I have said, there are two components to trust. One is of course basic trust in that they don't take the money and run, or whatever in any case. But you also have to trust their judgement. I am reluctant to help people in certain ways when they have repeatedly blown it. It's just a waste. If nothing else, they must put the grant to good use.

I would like to see external infuences that caused them to fail, or begin to fail. People who cause their own demise will simply do it again. I want my dollars well placed. And that is in the hands of those who need it, but they don't have to be living under a bridge. But think of it this way. Just because someone is not under the bridge yet does not mean they are not worthy of help. You can house a homeless person, or you help not create another homeless person, in the end the result is the same is it not ?

I think no matter what, this will be more complex than meets the eye.

T



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