HDFF: Human Diversity and Freedom Fund

[HDFF]

Hello,

I've recently started a charitable organization, the Human Diversity and Freedom Fund http://www.hdff.org/ I was hoping I could get some input from other members here. Do you believe this project is something that the public would support on a large scale? Are there any areas that you would suggest should be altered to better fit the current moral ethos?

Also, I would like to know if anyone would want to be involved with the organization, such as opening local chapters or writing articles on topics such as terrorism, tolerance, anti-Semitism, acts of courage by police officers, and similar topics.

Regards.

[qnr]

1. Can't visit it now, but here is a kick and a welcome to DU

:hi:

[HDFF]

2. reply

Here is the situation: in a month or so, I'm going to kill this project because I do not have the funds to sustain it if the public does not support it. Here is the list of projects this organization wants to accomplish:

Terrorism awareness and what you can do to protect yourself and your family.


The building of a very significant memorial to honor the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Suggestions are welcomed regarding the location where it should be built.


A project to provide financial assistance for returning soldiers in need of help. This may include assistance with housing and getting settled in, college fees, vocational training, and so forth.


A yearly awards ceremony for noted Police Officers who went beyond the call of duty in protecting citizens.


A yearly recognition ceremony to honor the courageous veterans of America.


Recognition for individual Firefighters who went the extra mile so that others could be safe.


Regular awareness drives to keep the public informed about the dangers of Anti-Semitism and the threat it poses to Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights.


The building of a new Holocaust museum, though the location for it's construction has not yet been decided.


We are seeking for the development and execution of a yearly Black History Month awareness project. The goal is to carry out various media coverage of information regarding the important contributions people of African descent have made to the world, as well as scenarios such as campus awareness projects and general public symposiums and events.


Yearly Hispanic cultural appreciation events to inform the public about the contributions made to society by this rich and wonderful culture.


Public awareness regarding the needs of people with disabilities.


General/miscellaneous projects in support of Freedom and Democracy and for the purpose of fighting fascism and racism.

I personally have filed a trademark and a copyright to get the ball rolling. Non-profit status filing still needs to be done, but I've exhaused my personal funds.

I will provide any personal info. about me that is asked of. My real name is Eric William Richardson, and I live in Visalia, CA. I've set up this organization with all the factors needed to potentially go national and international. It just now needs nation-wide funding to be sustained.

Regards.

[MonkeyFunk]

12. Umm...

that sounds pretty unfocused.

Disabilities, the holocaust, a 9/11 memorial, hispanic cultural appreciation... that's all over the map, and the name of the group is meaningles - reminds me of The Human Fund from Seinfeld.

Also, a fair number of those goals are already being met by organizations that are far more established and have far more resources.

Not only would I not support such a group, but neither would any real grant-making organizations. It's far better to narrow the focus and REALLY set your sights lower.

[bridgit]

3. has DU admin reviewed your link?

how is the money marshaled, where is it kept, where will it go?

[HDFF]

4. re

"how is the money marshaled, where is it kept, where will it go?"

I've set up a Paypal account, a Google checkout account, and a P.O. Box address to receive donations, and the money will be stored in a separate Sole Proprietary business account under the name of HDFF: Human Diversity and Freedom Fund with the company of Washington Mutual Bank. My personal address is 3839 E. Paradise Ave. Visalia, CA 93292. So, if this was a hoax, well, you now know where i live. Cheers!

[bridgit]

5. i did notice that the paypal template was up & running...

i have a paypal business account as well...best of luck to you

[HDFF]

9. Re:

I would suggest complementing PayPal with Google Checkout, which also has no setup or monthly fees, plus no percentage cut of incoming funds from customers or donors until the end of this year.

[bridgit]

14. my preference is to account for any operational percentiles at the point of transaction...

i would not sanction per se either deficit spending or operations, it just kicks the can down the road imo

[HDFF]

15. Re:

What I mean is that Google Checktout, as a sign-up incentive, will not charge anything at all through the end of this year, period. It's a free-bee, a giveaway. But starting next year, the standard fee will apply, more or less on par with PayPal fees, as I understand. So, there is no deficit spending.

[bridgit]

16. understood...

[HDFF]

6. Re.

The trademark filing, copyright filing, ficticious business name setup, domain name registration, web-hosting fees so far, P.O. Box renting, VBulletin discussion forum software liscense, and computer security software for this project and other miscellaneous tasks costed about $1,500 which I payed for out of my own pocket. Filing for non-profit status which now remains, will cost about $1,500 which I don't have. But if these funds become available, I will immediately carry it out, setting HDFF up as a independent non-profit entity, as opposed to me currently being the legal owner of it.

[HDFF]

7. Re:

The picture of the statue of liberty was donated to my organization by a Manhattan photography company, a service which the company usually charges $1,000 to pay for the helicopter usage and so forth. I also saved about $1,000 in web design cost by building the website myself, and as I speak, I'm reading a Javascript book to add some drop-down menus to it.

My next move is to discuss HDFF with the Visalia, California mayor, the police department and fire department, and other public figures to get local support which would be a good starting point and a source of some initial funding.

[HDFF]

8. Re:

I've sent an email to the following entities announcing the launching of this organization:

-CNN
-Fox News
-Governor of California
-both senators of california
-Anti-Defamation League
-Simon Wiesenthal Center
-The New York Times
-Alan Dershowitz
-Various other big media sources.

[HDFF]

10. Re:

"My next move is to discuss HDFF with the Visalia, California mayor, the police department and fire department, and other public figures to get local support which would be a good starting point and a source of some initial funding."

But, if I even get no support locally, then I'll have no choice left but to shut down.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[HDFF]

13. Re:

"in the current political climate, what you are are suggesting on your website is understandably highly controversial.
Enjoy your stay."

I have picked non-partisan issues. Which project do you think clashes with the current moral ethos?

Thanks.

[HDFF]

17. Ficticious Business Name Documentation

I just looked up the online government record of my ficticious business name, here it is: http://riimsweb.co.tulare.ca.us/riimsweb/Asp/FBNDocDetail.asp?DocID=2007-0000417