X-Message-Number: 7223 Date: Tue, 26 Nov 96 20:31:33 From: Dave Pizer <> Subject: Re: Reply to Paul > From: (Dave Pizer) > To: , , , > , , , > , , > {} > Subject: Reply to Paul > Date sent: 26-Nov-1996 20:11:30 pst > Paul Wakefer wrote: > (some snips) > > > Message #7216 > > Date: 25 Nov 96 02:47:53 EST > > From: Paul Wakfer <> > > Subject: SCI.CRYONICS Cryonics Resources > > > > Several days ago in Message #7167 Olaf Henney wrote: > > > > >It is obvious, that our small community does not have the resources to > > >fully fund the "Prometheus" research Paul is proposing and that new > > >sources of funding have to be found. > > > > No offense to Mr Henney, but as stated, this is just simply false. I would > > never have started the Prometheus Project if I didn't *know* that it > > *could* be funded by those who are either signed up or highly interested > in > > cryonics. There are over 600 signed up cryonicists and many hundred more > > seriously interested and supportive. A few of them are wealthy enough that > > they *could* fund the Prometheus Project all by themselves. The wealthiest > > 25 *could* easily fund it between them. All cryonicists and supporters > > *could* certainly fund the Project together by assigning it no more than > 5% > of their yearly income. > > 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. > > So Paul's statement above might be good advice for him to concentrate on > the most wealthy persons in cryonics. In addition when seeking the larger > contributions it is always best to meet the potential contributor in person. > > I know Paul's plan is not for donations, but rather for investments. And I > know that typical cryonicists are not typical folks. 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. > > But I think, Paul, you are on to something. 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. > > 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. > > If you need help in starting a 501 (c) 3, I might be able to help. I was > able to form one (The Venturists) after the IRS first told me they would > never approve it. I made friends with the approving agent who later > confided that they turn down everyone the first time. The like to make > applicants fight real hard to get it. > > 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. > > Let me know if I can be of other help. I think your project might have > some real value. > > Good luck. > > Sincerely, > > Dave Pizer > > > Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=7223