PayPal Donations

Well, turns out the free market has found a solution for me. Now, where to send the money?

firstgiving

firstgiving is another great service, but still requires that we be an official non-profit. These guys even have a handy widget to place on a website allowing donations to be safely deposited. I was hoping I could just add that to my blog and say forget the government! But I'll have to leave that phrase for the trip while I conviniently bike north and leave Washington, DC behind!

Employer ID No.

An EIN is a nine-digit number (00-0000000) assigned by the IRS to individuals (sole proprietors), organizations, partnerships, corporations and other entities. Organizations' EIN may be found on any forms filed with the IRS (i.e., tax-exemption letter, form 990).

VolunteerMatch

VolunteerMatch is a service that hooks you up with volunteers. Duh. This would be useful if we'd want to start a movement - something I do not want to avoid. So I opened an account as a non-profit. I called it ActionActivist. I thought Meant2Move was a good one too, playing off the double meaning in movement and the fact that we, as humans, are designed to move. Unfortunately, half way into the registration process I was asked for an EIN (Employer Identification Number). My fears that my non-profit was not registered with the government became true. Gotta cross that bridge first. Another avenue to pursue is to operate under a fiscal agent or umbrella organization that already has an EIN. Any takers?

Fun(x2)draising

Whether through Google AdSense or direct donations from our readers, I assume the same rule will always apply: more readers, more money. But doing heavy public relations on the road can be a burden when you're trying to have fun! So I began searching for organizations that might expand our readership and spread the word for us. There is a lot out there. These guys may take their cut, but on the other hand, they may also provide good resources to find places to donate the proceeds. Off the top of my head I wouldn't really know who needs it more. For example, cancer patients or toddlers in developing countries? We might have to introduce a poll.