I'll start off by addressing the various posts I've yet to address, then finish this post with more viable content, found below the horizontal line.
Guys just to let you know if you wanted to set up a Project on CIYAM Open for Bitcoin100 you would be welcome to (the service would be offered to Bitcoin100 "fee free for life" of course).
After the Bitcoin100 "Project" (the top-level "record type" in the application's terminology) has been created you can then below it create specific Project Areas (nested if desired) below which finally you create specific Project Tasks (they could be used for the specific charity "drives" or maybe even for actual tasks that the NPO needs to get done) making it very easy for people to "see" where the funds have all gone (and allowing people to donate to say just one specific charity without having to even contact you).
No bitcoins are kept on the website nor would any of Bitcoin100's (or any other Project hosted on the site for that matter) donations ever be handled by CIYAM Open or myself personally (so the only thing that could be "lost" at all would be the non-essential service that the site is offering).
If interested please let me know and I'll set you up an account (best if one of you knows how to use GPG).
CIYAM, although I deeply admire the gesture and all the work you've put into this project, I, for the life of me, can't figure out how it would be an asset to
Bitcoin 100. That is not meant as a diss by any stretch of the imagination. Perhaps some other can enlighten me on the project's prospects.
This idea is still suffering from not having anyone in a distinct leadership position. I could take over, but it's not a position I want or am interested in. So, unless Phinn gets some free time to actually take the reigns again, or finds someone else to take the lead, I would vote for closing shop and returning whatever we have in holdings as well within a month or two. There just doesn't seem to be all that much support for the idea right now, both from the charities and from the users here.
The last couple drives has sure shown that not much more coins should be expected from the community. At the end of this post, I will start off by readdressing this very point.
The last couple weeks has been busy for me with RL concerns, but I have not abandoned this project. In fact, I'm looking to expand it mega-fold, with a plan to not rely on funding from the community. Again, more on this aspect at the end of this post.
With how the last Bitcoin collecting rounds went, I see fundraising as a more limiting factor than non-profit-raising..
Do you think we would collect enough bitcoins for one, two, ten more NGOs in any reasonable time?
Even the number of supporters on the list almost came to a halt..
After seeing how it went with collecting 100BTC/1000$ for BUND I am almost glad that the NGO I have contact to didn't check back on me lately..
I don't know.. What's the future?
More supporters? More advertising? Alternate fundraising? More NGOs?
Ente
Hence, a new strategy need's to be implemented. I feel there was never a fear of not being able to fully fund, as outlined, any new NPO/NGO that would have came on board. One way or another,
BTC100 would have been sent as promised. But now with the exchange rate approaching $20 per, a typical fundraising drive becomes that much more difficult. Currently, there's enough funds on hand to fund 4-5 charitable groups with ~$1,000 USD equivalent to each. In fact, that's what it's looking like will be done with remaining funds on hand. Again, more on this aspect at the end of this post.
With how the last Bitcoin collecting rounds went, I see fundraising as a more limiting factor than non-profit-raising..
Do you think we would collect enough bitcoins for one, two, ten more NGOs in any reasonable time?
Even the number of supporters on the list almost came to a halt..
After seeing how it went with collecting 100BTC/1000$ for BUND I am almost glad that the NGO I have contact to didn't check back on me lately..
I don't know.. What's the future?
More supporters? More advertising? Alternate fundraising? More NGOs?
Ente
I assumed that would be the organization leader's primary duties: collecting pledges and encouraging donations.
Will be touched upon in a round-about way at the end of this post.
I doubt a salary would help, as I can't see this org earning enough to be able to pay one that anyone would find worthwhile.
Well, nobody should be expected to be paid full time salary, but a little compensation goes a long way, esp. if one is interested in the humanitarian side of the project, and is not doing it solely for money.
What about when the site collects 100 BTC, then 10 BTC goes to the maintainer, would that be fair ?NO! But, with a different model all together, funding the endeavor should be no longer a concern, if a revenue stream is created via some other means.
I've always felt that if anybody where to receive compensation first, it would be Rassah. I still feel that way, for if the new approach I envision takes wings, he'll earn every satoshi as the CFO. (see what I did there?)
Firstly, and most importantly, I wish to thank the community for all the contributions to date. I can't put into words how grateful not only I am, but the non-profits to date who've received funds via bitcoins, and the 4-5 who soon will. This small handful that we funded (or soon will), adds to the list of NPO's who accept bitcoins as an adjunct donation option. It's with this list that will springboard
Bitcoin 100 to the next level. More on that in a second.
Rassah has played an instrumented part in this endeavor from the get-go, and hopefully will continue to fill the capacity as CFO well into the future--with proper compensation.
When
Bitcoin 100 was conceived, the idea of giving
BTC100 to each non-profit that includes a Bitcoin donation option on their respective website, was an admirable plan. One of which would further the advancement of Bitcoin. But seeing now that Bitcoin is gaining more and more traction via other means, e.g., Wordpress, the time may have come to wind this practice down and move up to the next level.
The funds on hand will still be used as they were intended when donated, albeit a minor adjustment. Once Rassah PM's me the figures, I'll present a detailed plan of action, one of which I'm sure will be acceptable by those who've donated to the pool.
Bitcoin 100, and bitcoin100.org (domain provided, and paid for, by edd), sure does sound like a magically name for what was envisioned, then accomplished to date. But, personally, I don't see it as a name that will be taken seriously by future prospects. As an example, there's no PayPal100 or Dwolla100 or Visa100 names associated with NPO's/NGO's. Basically, it's too cheesy. I believe a better name is warranted. I had one name in mind, and Josh was kind enough to better it, but now feel that they too far short.
With that, I'm opened to suggestions, but please PM them to be so that they're not purchased before we get a chance. I will give you my personal opinion on each name suggested, with all credit going to the one who supplies an accepted entry.
Moreover, the entity needs to be a registered 501(c)3 organization if it's to be taken seriously. I'm will to foot that expense, along with paying for the domain name years in advance. Paying for hosting a WP themed site is also not an issue, unless unique programming skills are needed, then those will be farmed out with full compensation.
I believe I have an idea on how to garner funding to accomplish all that's needed without further relying upon the community, VC funding, endowments, etc. I'm going to dedicated a separate post to expand upon this thought further.
I've been recently interviewed by a well-know periodical, but not currently at liberty to state which one or when the issue of unsaid entity will be released. The article is mostly about
Bitcoin 100 and charities funded via bitcoins in general, with a little bio of myself thrown in. Soon, everybody will learn my last name, one of which I've provided to no less than 24 others via PM's, started with to Josh, if I'm not mistaken.
I was tentatively assured that the article will be released prior to the Bitcoin2014 conference in San Jose, of which I'm attending, and hopefully speaking on this topic at hand.
To put how Bitcoin could play a roll in the NPO/NGO playground, consider the following. In the US alone, 200 billion dollars is donated annually to said causes. Imagine if they had an extra 20 billion dollars to spend on their causes without having to raise a single dime (satoshi) more. Impossible! I don't think so. That's what I'm planning on implementing with the new
Bitcoin 100. I even firmly believe that I can pull it off without relying upon donations, though they won't be refused. Bear in mind, the US is not the only country whose populace donate vast amounts of money. And, if I read correctly, most charitable organizations are a hurtin'. Again, more on this with a future post. Meanwhile, think of a name.
Sorry for going long, but the above should be enough for now to rest most concerns, and also give you something to think about. I'll leave you with this: Bitcoin works well for some things, and I firmly believe that funding charities is one of them, if not one of the key rolls Bitcoin will play in the not too distant future.
Whatever the course,
Bitcoin 100 will operate with full transparency and accountability. One of it's first objectives will be to earn a spot on the top 10 list at
Charity Navigator, also not impossible.
~Bruno K~
