X-Message-Number: 7228
Date: 28 Nov 96 04:31:25 EST
From: Paul Wakfer <>
Subject: Re: Reply to Paul
I want to thank Dave Pizer for his cryonet Message #7222. As some of
you may know, Dave and I have not always been on the best of terms.
However, I am very sincere in my thanks for his helpful comments and ideas
on funding.
Dave writes:
>I have been taking a fundraising course at Arizona State University. We
>have had many guest speakers (professional fundraisers) and the professor
>and literature all say that 80% to 90% of of the money raised in
>fundraising campaigns are contributed by 10% to 15% of the total people
>involved.
Yes, this is something which I am aware is true in the general world of
charitable fundraising. I had expected that because of the "life or death"
nature of cryonics and the research which can help it work, it would not be
true among cryonicists. I am sure that it will be true among the greater
body of life extensionist to which I am now appealing. Among them, I don't
expect anything near the "density" of contributions (average per capita)
that I *did* expect among cryonicists.
>So Paul's statement above might be good advice for him to concentrate on
>the most wealthy persons in cryonics.
As I have described, the problem that I have is a "chicken and egg" one. In
order to approach "wealthy persons in cryonics", I need to have more
detailed science and business plans worked out. *But* before I can get
these plans worked out, I have to have scientists on board. *And* before I
can get any scientists to commit and to give me any time and planning
effort, I have to have much more credible funding!
Besides, I don't know *who* the "wealthy persons in cryonics" are, except
for a very few. If Dave could help me out on this, I would be forever in
his debt.
>In addition when seeking the larger contributions it is always best to
>meet the potential contributor in person.
This I also know, and am prepare to go round the country doing, even if I
have to phone people, arrange meetings individually, and drive to their
houses. But again I have little access to names and addresses of *any*
cryonicists let alone the wealthy ones. This was the purpose of scheduling
and advertising the meetings, but no one comes to them, not even CryoCare
members, who aren't on email and already pledgers. (That's not quite true,
I did get a pledge from Ravin Jain at the SoCal meeting).
>But most cryonicists don't seem to look at this project so much for the
>potential financial return as for the chance to improve the odds to help
>save their lives.
I agree, and that is why I though more of them would be prepared to pledge!
Since it may save their life, it should be *more* important to them than
just making money.
>If you could target the most wealthy and make a trip around the country to
>see them in person, you might be able to wrap your project up much
>quicker.
I love driving. This sounds great to me except for the problems I have
outlined above.
>Another idea, Paul, might be to form a 501 (c) 3 organization and this
>organization's purpose would be to fund cryonics research. The nonprofit
>organization could pay for part of the work done by your forprofit
>organization. This would give potential investors an opportunity to make a
>tax deductable donation rather than an investment. Some wealthy persons
>don't want to own stock in a research company and would rather make
>donations. We found that out when we bought the Alcor building in Arizona.
>Some of our wealthy members bought stock in the company that owns the
>building, and some of them preferred to make donations to Alcor to use the
>money for Alcor to buy more stock in the building. It all counted and by
>giving our members two ways to help out we raised twice the money.
Thanks for sharing this information. Again, even though almost no one so
far has wanted to *donate*, I agree that some wealthy persons may want to.
That is why I have asked various 501(c)3 organization connected with
cryonics and life extension to be willing to accept donations to the
Project. So far the only one which has agreed is the Life Extension
Foundation.
>If you need help in starting a 501 (c) 3, I might be able to help.
Thanks for your offer. If other 501(c)3 organizations do not soon agree to
accept donations for Prometheus, maybe I should do this so that there is at
least more than one 501(c)3 organization which will accept them.
>Several months later, I got it approved. It took a lot of
>hard work and some creativity. But I think they are easy to form once you
>catch on to what they really want to hear and how to work within the
>system.
I think it also depends on whether the operations of the organizations have
only educational and "charitable" aspects and not any "fees for services".
I agree that it should not be hard for a real purely research supporting
organization.
>Let me know if I can be of other help. I think your project might have
>some real value.
Again, I appreciate the offer of help, and the encouragement and support
which you have expressed for the Prometheus Project.
-- Paul -- Phone: 416-968-6291 Pager: 800-805-2870
HELP TO ACHIEVE - PERFECTED SUSPENDED ANIMATION WITHIN 20 YEARS!
Check out the Prometheus Project web site at URL:
http://www.prometheus-project.org/prometheus/
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