The Second (final) Caucus 99%Fundraising Team Planning Report

Funding c99 Image 25 percent.jpg
Hello, all members. This is our final planning essay. The rest of this essay is copy-pasted from our working group pms (2 & 3).
To start, when JtC wrote his 'for sale' essay he mentioned in the comments that someone had pointed out $5 a month per user would carry the site, but the response had been tepid. I believe he was referring to this comment. When I wrote that comment I was envisioning total costs that would include a decent living for JtC. My gut and experience had already told me C99 had taken over JtC's personal and business life. In addition, that amount would let him pay part-time wages to Joe, and to not worry over whether he can afford a server upgrade.
As you can see, $5 X 2K is $10K monthly. JtC's decision to set the necessary minimum at $4K monthly should be only a jumping-off point for our eventual goals, but we'd better start there, because $2 monthly per average user is absolutely doable. Once we've done that, we can set about rescuing JtC's and Joe's grandkids from having to go to school wearing hand-me-downs. Having looked at the numbers, we need to discuss how to achieve those goals, & why mandatory subscriptions are off-limits.
Summing up where we are: We need to self-fund the blog by subscription. Subscriptions MUST be voluntary. We don't expect to achieve self support through subscription immediately, but it is always our primary goal. Our two tasks as a team will be to raise the funds we need, by several different methods, and to show every blog member ways she or he can meet a two dollar-a-month commitment, whatever their grim circumstances. Yes, being poor is grim. It isn't just relatively grim. I've been poor financially, all my life, and there are members here who are definitely poorer than me.
What makes our goal possible (this is a new thing) is the big, personal, real-world sacrifice JtC is making with that $4K/m figure. Every member (once we show them how) can come up with that amount and will want to. By the time --probably well before-- we've persuaded and assisted every member to feel equally franchised, through cancellable subscriptions, we'll be pulling in more than $4K/m. So from the very beginning, our essays should emphasize our goal of all-voluntary subscriptions, with a bottom commitment of $2/m, while we cheerfully accept every other donation as well.
Everybody, take a long look and say what you think. We are spread over 9 time zones; we'll make sure we all get a chance to do back-and-forth. If 24 hours isn't enough time for one of us, let the rest know and we'll lengthen it.
To the whole team, I'm sorry, my bad. I should have reiterated the position we're agreed on, for the benefit of new team members and members who haven't been able to follow all our deliberations so far. We are going to interpret 'voluntary subscription' very widely, and that is going to be one of our tools to reach 'total subscription commitment' from all members.
Housekeeping & Scheduling
We've already exceeded the site group pm capacity to accomodate us all. We now have two off-site locations for our fundraising team to meet and work. We anticipate publishing 3 more fundraising essays in the last week of August. On September 6th, we'll be able to publish whatever part of JtC's data to us we decide to share publicly. Whatever dohicky we pick to exhibit that info would be displayed in each of our fundraising essays, and would be revised at the start of each month.
If you would like to contribute, the donation button is at the top right of this page.(H/T to JnH)

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JekyllnHyde's picture

... the donation button is at the top right of this page.

David, thanks for writing this report and doing a great deal of prep work behind the scenes.

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A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma

davidincleveland's picture

reminder about the donation button. We'll need to make sure every fundraising essay has that at the bottom, and I'm going to edit this diary to add it.

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LeChienHarry's picture

JtC is also signed up as a popmoney recipient. Quite a few banks offer it as a service. It allows bank to bank transfers and recurring deductions can be set up.

Some banks like mine, charge no fee, but have a minimum for recurring deductions.

If you give directly through the popmoney service it's a flat .95 cents per transaction, no matter the amount.

Here is the linky:
https://www.popmoney.com/

For folks who would like a monthly withdrawal to JtC, send a PM to JtC (it will get to him) and he will send an email to you by return PM to use which popmoney is connected to his bank account.

for the name of the recipient we simple put: first name - Caucus; second name - ninty nine. It worked just fine.

So JtC keeps his sanity and anonymity. We get a great site.

Thanks everyone, Harry

Sorry for the thread jump.

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You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again you did not know. ~ William Wiberforce

If you can donate, please! POP Money is available for bank-to-bank transfers. Email JtC to make a monthly donation.

davidincleveland's picture

I'll pm you around 11 EST with login info for the 2nd site, and a couple paragraphs about why the additional space was necessary. We're going to retain and use both places. More at FoC and upcoming pm.

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Hillbilly Dem's picture

Thanks to JtC for providing the site and to all who spearheaded this drive, you davidincleveland, DallasDoc and all who are able to contribute. C99 has replaced TOP as my go-to political site. Long may it live and prosper.

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"Just call me Hillbilly Dem(exit)."
-H/T to Wavey Davey

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

The most important lesson I took from Sanders' campaign was that this movement could raise 40-50 million a month, in a pinch; obviously that's not sustainable over time, but if we can raise 45 million/month for Bernie, maybe we could raise 10 million/month for ourselves. Maybe that would be sustainable. That would represent 120 million/year, not the kind of funding the .01% can provide, but certainly not chump change either. Enough to build and maintain a real independent media?

This is like that, only smaller. Smile

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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

davidincleveland's picture

come up with the perfect analogy for our work. Barn Raising

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riverlover's picture

kids and grandkids. Is that grim enough? As grannies and old-ehough-to-be, there is little shame here. But a little smile.

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Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.

Raggedy Ann's picture

Question: My donation will come in the form of a check from my bank - a recurring monthly withdrawal. How will that, and other donations, be tracked by the committee? Smile

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

davidincleveland's picture

at the end of that month. In addition, he'll give us the total one-time donations for the month. Your check, because it's for the same amount monthly, drawn on your account within the same tight cluster of business days each month, will be in that first total sum. I'm spelling this out because some of our blog members may be wondering if this is an extra burden on JtC. His bank will do this automatically for him via software, at no cost in time or money to JtC.

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mimi's picture

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Raggedy Ann's picture

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

davidincleveland's picture

Not all will work, but if they do work we won't care that it isn't a big return. The important thing with that idea is if one has paid zero for one's sales items, every penny is pure profit. I grew up in hand-me-downs, and since I started buying my own clothes 58 years ago, I've patronized second hand clothing stores by preference.

Sorry, riverlover, this was intended as a reply to your second-hand garments sale comment.

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moneysmith's picture

sites we listed yesterday as having gone over to the dark (pro-Hillary) side, for me anyway. So I'm glad to hear it's going to be sticking around. YAY for JtC, Joe, davidincleveland, DallasDoc, and everyone else who made this happen.

I'm already a monthly contributor, but I'd be happy to kick in a few additional $2 subs for anyone who's hit the financial wall. Just let me know when you can.

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Hell is empty and all the devils are here. William Shakespeare

riverlover's picture

and I am going for $20/month. Yes, it bites, but c99 is my sanity in a crazy world.

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Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.

moneysmith's picture

I'm on SS, too, but not widowed, and that makes a big difference. Lately, I've been selling accumulated "stuff" on eBay and that gives me more wiggle room. Plus, when I'm gone, my son won't have to deal with too many leftovers. These days, that's as close as I can come to a win-win Wink

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Hell is empty and all the devils are here. William Shakespeare

one hell of a lot of stuff, your son WILL thank you! While my mother was not a total hoarder there were some tendencies that even she finally recognized late in life. It took us 4 commercial dumpsters plus a big construction type one to clean out her 1500 SF mobile home... Mostly paper and crap, but lots went to various charities, there was simply too much of it to have time to sell it.

With the way stuff is made so cheaply today, hand me down's can be better than new many times too.

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Only a fool lets someone else tell him who his enemy is. Assata Shakur

JekyllnHyde's picture

The only way this blog is going to prosper is if this is a collaborative effort. And it is sentiments like yours that will enable the Caucus99% Fundraising Team to move forward in achieving its monthly fundraising goals.

Suffice it to say, we are definitely not gonna rely on any form of corporate welfare. We have a few innovative tricks up our collective sleeves! Wink

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A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma

moneysmith's picture

count me in. I've got some nice pieces from my old etsy store that could go in there. Or whatever you need. Happy to help any way I can. This is a remarkable community, it needs to be sustained.

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Hell is empty and all the devils are here. William Shakespeare

davidincleveland's picture

our auctions team when they'are in place (early September), and make sure you're called on. Thank you.

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Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

I'm afraid my thoughts haven't gone very far, but I've always liked them. Everybody chip in a little, and everybody gets a chance to win assorted prizes--would have to find or provide some cool prizes, but that's not impossible....

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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

JekyllnHyde's picture

... in a fundraiser for someone on DK. It involved 10 prizes donated by community members, including among other things, jewelry, paintings, and a fabulous quilt made by Sara R.

It took a great deal of time and effort to organize and promote it, but... it raised almost $7,000.00 for the recipient. So, yes, making financial contributions (we set a minimum donation amount to be eligible) to win raffle prizes can be enticing.

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A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

but then again, I'm not on the committee, and don't want to step on anyone's toes.

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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

davidincleveland's picture

of experienced team members. The answers will educate us all. Also, our team agreed (first day) to look at not only such questions as a resource for fundraising education but to view the asking member as potentially recruitable. We will eventually be a rather large fundraising team and we will know how to use every interested hand.
To Everyone: Every blog member is welcome to join our team. Just declare your availability, here in a comment, or in a pm to me.

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Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

Let's talk about what might be involved in doing a raffle here, or at least (to start) what was involved with doing one at TOP.

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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

JekyllnHyde's picture

... during that earlier DK effort.

Feel free to message me over the weekend.

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A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

Will do.

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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

moneysmith's picture

with auctions, etc. Happy to be part of it!

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Hell is empty and all the devils are here. William Shakespeare

Apologies for being out of pocket this week. That's why I didn't volunteer to be on the committee.

I'm wondering about the feasibility of administering a program of gift subscriptions at $5 a month for folks who can't afford one, given by those who can. A private list of funders matched with requesters might be a way to do this. That way people could be identified as subscribers by contributing content and community participation, even if their budget doesn't stretch to afford a monetary subscription. It might be too much trouble, but perhaps there's a way. Those of us contributing in excess of, say, $20 a month could be a ready source of gift subscriptions, for instance.

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riverlover's picture

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Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.

Direct gifts might spur additional contributions, however. It's all about how to support JtC and the site, in the end.

Having freely available gift subscriptions would be one way to create the culture of subscription without turning away those who can't afford them.

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JekyllnHyde's picture

A few years ago on DK, this idea of matching anonymous donors to recipients was tried and proved to be highly successful.

It involved lifetime subscriptions of $100.00 each so that the recipient could read the blog without being bothered by ads. While the donor was known to management, the recipients only knew that someone had anonymously (and generously) gifted them a lifetime subscription.

Sometimes, anonymity can be used in wonderful ways on the internet.

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A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma

When Kos got rid of lifetime subscriptions. I can't remember if it started around thanksgiving or Christmas, but we had until 12:00 31 dec 20xx. It was a great way to count down to midnight: would we raise enough to buy everyone who wanted one a lifetime subscription? And by golly we did!

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Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

Count me in.

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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Granma's picture

It can be very hard to commit to giving anything every month, on a tight budget. And it would be a shame to lose people because of that.

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I'm doing well now, but grew up in a family that had to pinch pennies. My parents came from deep poverty in the Depression. I well understand the world of drum-tight budgets, since I grew up in it.

If we can give subscriptions to good community members who can't contribute every month, we'd avoid impoverishing the community through the loss of wonderful folks. And a couple bucks tossed in during a fat month are always welcome, if they can be spared.

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riverlover's picture

My ISP and access is blinking, it is not good here.

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Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.

katchen's picture

I know you didn't mean anything bad by your comment, but I just wanted to stress, we won't be losing people because of donations/subscriptions--they are purely VOLUNTARY. Kay? No losing people. No one going anywhere. Have I made myself clear? : ) : )

No one leaves...

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I may have left the opposite impression with my comment above, but then I don't speak for the committee.

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CS in AZ's picture

Also, as far as I know, there is no way of or plans for identifying of who is signed up for monthly donations. (aka "subscribed") Other than if people chose to post their donation commitment. JtC will report the amount, but not any list of who these donations are coming from.

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katchen's picture

thanks, CS, that's important.

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I have scheduled a recurring monthly contribution through Paypal. Thank you for keeping the terrific diaries and comments.

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Thank you for helping us keep the community together!

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shaharazade's picture

and letting us know that the financial committee is beginning to start the process of getting this off money shit off JtC's head. I know this is not a 'business' per say but as a family that keeps bread on the table via a self proprietorship btob business it's tough as steady cash flow is king.

My husband does the magic like JtC and I try to do the marketing and money. We have had a good year as stats, tabs for surveys and all that jazz always do well in election years. Insecurity of funds undermines your capacity to work well with focus and kills creativity

So I did donate this time with a check, snail mail, but what I want to do is have it be that Johnny has steady money coming in. I'm a hopeless case in that I am paranoid and try to keep my financial dealings off line real money silver, bills and paper checks. My question is does sending JtC a analog paper check every month on a designated day, make it harder for him what with going to the bank deposits of paper required?

I'm in transition of moving my money what little of it we have to good old fashioned Luddite mode. Will this make my pledge not be counted? How will you track such a thing on a computer? I could go electronic transfer from my bank but I'm a flake and it would require me to not lay low and indulge my paranoia. Off grid as much as possible and believe me the net is nothing but a binary global grid a vacuum cleaner of your info and mind please. Thanks Dave.

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mimi's picture

for JtC to handle checks mailed via USPS. He already said his bank would help him figuring out what came in as a recurring monthly donation and what as a one time donation, if I understood above comment correctly. I just have a hard time imagining JtC has to make a trip to the bank to deposit the checks. May be he does those trips anyhow, just wanted to know if it's an extra burden to him.

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Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

Although I'm not as Draconian about it as Shaz, I really hate doing financial stuff online.
Only worse thing: having all my medical info on the web. Which apparently can't be avoided if one wants to see a doctor these days.

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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

davidincleveland's picture

up-thread because it fits your question and many of here will want to see the same question answered. Thanks for giving me the excuse to re-post it.

JtC will be reporting total recurring donations each month at
at the end of that month. In addition, he'll give us the total one-time donations for the month. Your check, because it's for the same amount monthly, drawn on your account within the same tight cluster of business days each month, will be in that first total sum. I'm spelling this out because some of our blog members may be wondering if this is an extra burden on JtC. His bank will do this automatically for him via software, at no cost in time or money to JtC.
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shaharazade's picture

as when Johnny published hs For Sale essay it motivated me to remove all the automated donations the I have accumulated over the years when I was older then that now.. I will put cc99% on my monthly payments and perhaps this snail mail payment will motivate me to start paying all my bills this way. Hey I'm the bookkeeper right? Will send my monthly check on the 5th of every month. 5 days before the dreaded combination of mortgage, house insurance and property tax monthly automatic payment comes rolling in.

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Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

There's a link below the gold Donate button

It says: "And now: via USPS Mail!"
And below that is a link "Donation Info"

When you click it there are directions for how to send JtC a check.

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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

orlbucfan's picture

I do donations the "old fashion" (what a joke!) way: snail mail, etc. I've had to ask repeatedly what the SOP was for doing so. Appreciate the info, CStS. Smile This and TPW are my hangouts now. REC'D!!

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Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

that I was going to use the snail mail at first, but I managed to get the PayPal thing going for $15 per month.

And I really like the idea of gifting for those who cannot afford to donate and am willing to get on board with that as I still can. This site has totally replaced that other hell hole for me, and I'd be lost without it! I don't do that much online and am still not very tech savvy either.

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Only a fool lets someone else tell him who his enemy is. Assata Shakur

Mark from Queens's picture

increasingly excellent content abetting an already amazing place (and so many folks continuing to trickle in most every day).

Sorry I haven't been around more. I am reading lots, but have been putting in 50+ hrs as a first-time stay-at-home Dad who just passed the half century mark himself.

Last two weeks have been demanding for me and then I misplaced my credit card. When I read JtC's statement that our beloved C99 would be on the sale block it dazed me.

This is my online home, and you all are my online family. The EB was my home inside of the TOP Neoliberal Stepford Mall, and it was a lifesaver migrating over here. I'm on my way now to check out the Our Revolution meetup here locally. I'll donate commensurately when I get back.

Great thanks and gratitude to everyone who chimed in to let JtC know what this place means to them, to answer the call with donations and get more serious about preserving this wonderful place (even Bobswern popped by, why isn't he here more?). But especially to davidincleveland, dallasdoc and JnH for really taking the helm.

You all inspire me.

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"If I should ever die, God forbid, let this be my epitaph:

THE ONLY PROOF HE NEEDED
FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
WAS MUSIC"

- Kurt Vonnegut

riverlover's picture

We have your back, with plenty of snickers. Did you think I meant Snickers? Be well.

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Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.

Just donated $60, essentially $5 x 12 months. Probably will drop another couple donations over the year.

Sorry, won't do recurring payments (loathe subscriptions) and won't deal with a Paypal account (the evil burns).

But, you'll still get my support.

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davidincleveland's picture

are just part of our looked-for resources. The one-time donations will always be a huge part of funding the place. I share your antipathy for paypal, both politically and as a techie. I've closed my account with them over both those issues. I now use POPmoney, free from my bank to JtC's account.

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mimi's picture

I can get rid of Paypal now. And, if I may say so, I also don't like the idea to sell stuff for fundraising purposes over Amazon. I read somewhere on the thread that it was suggested, don't remember who, but that's one thing I will wholeheartedly boycott and not use. Just saying. I wouldn't think that giving any support to Amazon would represent our fight against oligarchy powers very well.

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travelerxxx's picture

Due to the nature of some work/pay situations, a true monthly dunning of my account may not be wise. I would much prefer to do an annual or bi-annual donation to the tune of $x/month = whatever lump sum. Perhaps a lump sum amount could still be considered monthly in the donations bookkeeping?

I'm kind of waiting for the structure to be finalized here...

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davidincleveland's picture

recurring subscription. In Friday's diary I'll lay out how we'll be able to recognize it.

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Zenza's picture

For your work so far and in the future. I am proud to be a monthly sponsor of this lifesaving site, and also love all the additional ideas. Sponsoring those whose finances don't enable them to contribute financially makes great sense to me...I may be there one day if Governor Christy has his way with my retirement benefits, but for now I would be willing and able to sponsor one or two others.

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JMarks's picture

I am donating monthly, but would be happy to donate a few gift subscriptions -- Would you like help with that in terms of setting up and determining amounts? I would be happy to pitch in here.

And again, thanks to you and the whole team.

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For 6 bucks/month. Thank You!

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JekyllnHyde's picture

Every little bit helps and inches us closer to our fundraising goal.

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A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma

davidincleveland's picture

sort of gift that makes it all possible. You see, folks, some of us can only afford to donate $2/m, and those of us who are inhabiting a permanent negative cash-flow universe but would like to pay that $24/year support may need our team's help in rustling up the cash to do so. In any case, we have no intention of settling for $4K/month recurring receipts, that's just our threshold. Gifts like p cook's will have a big impact: If everybody gave $6/m recurring donations we'd be pulling in $12K/month.

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