EARTH APPEAL 2007 YEAR-END FUND-RAISER This is Serious, EI Will Meet These Financial Goals or Shutdown
November 16, 2007 By Dr. Glen Barry, President, Ecological Internet, Inc. Running the world's largest non-profit environmental portals, and most effective biocentric action network, requires high- end computer servers, massive band-width and modest staffing; please donate individually even as we diversify funding sources http://www.climateark.org/donate/ UPDATE: Ecological Internet has raised $39,985 from 63 donors, 53% to goal necessary to continue *************************** Dear colleagues, This I know. The Earth's situation is dire and only monumental social and personal change of an unprecedented magnitude can save us. This will require focusing upon requirements for maintaining the Earth System, and the ecological and social policies necessary to do so; rather than upon what is easy, sounds good, or is in vogue and politically correct. I know of no organization other than Ecological Internet with a global reach that is providing the information and action base necessary to support ending ancient forest logging and coal emissions, while reducing population and consumption; and similar ecologically based, difficult but sufficient policies. There is no other equivalent to Ecological Internet, and at least for the moment the financial needs required to run Internet portals and action network must continue coming from our membership base. Please donate what you can afford at: http://www.climateark.org/donate/ and review our budget and funding plans below. Our and the Earth's future depends up it. Warm regards, Dr. Glen Barry *************************** EI estimates our needs over the coming six months to be $75,000 ($75K - we have found it easier to raise our budget with twice yearly fund-raisers than just one). This can be broken down into staffing, computers, bandwidth, office and miscellaneous. Last year I was paid $20K every six months, given outstanding student loans and a new marriage, I need to make at least $25K to remain personally solvent. I handle all aspects of overall vision, campaign strategy, content update and everything else that comes along -- usually some 100 hour/week but trying hard to cut down. Matt is our long-time volunteer computer programmer. Over the past year EI provided a couple small stipends, but clearly for his long hours of devotion while holding a full time job, he needs to be paid at least $10K over the next six months. Similarly we hold an ace in the hole with the expert network administration skills of Jesse, which we would like to contract for at least $3k/6 months, but have not paid in many months. We run three of our own large computer servers to house our efforts. This along with desktops represents some $50K in computer assets which must constantly be updated and expanded. We envision $10K in computer replenishment costs over the next six months. Closely related are rental payments for massive Internet band-width to handle hundreds of thousands of visitors a month, costing some $5K. And we use some pretty pricey software (can run $10-20K each to license), namely our list manager software needs to be updated now at a cost of $10K. Another $4K for rent and $8K for everything else rounds it off. Over the past 8 years EI has managed to meet all growing needs by appealing to network participants, and an occasional grant. This allowed us to focus upon urgent Internet based advocacy for the Earth. Yet as the budget's size grows, the number of environmental web site options increases (though much greenwash and little biocentric information action); and a number of other factors including our willingness to state truthful yet controversial positions, donor fatigue and U.S Presidential elections -- all have caused donations to drag this year. This is a bare bones budget -- we could probably trim it to $65K, but below that we would need to close our doors after funds received have been expended. After two years of full- time web expansion and campaigning, we have already begun allocating more time to apply for foundation grants. What is lost in time and control we hope will be made up for in access to funding adequate to continue along our present lines. Ecological Internet is confident of our "message" and "product", yet we need your full support during this crucial fund-raiser to implement this funding diversification over the next six months. Please, please, please if you believe the Earth needs a truthful friend and advocate, give to Ecological Internet now at: http://www.climateark.org/donate/ --- You are subscribed to ecological_internet as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Before unsubscribing, please consider modifying your list profile at: http://www.ecoearth.info/subscribe/[EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe, send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or click here: http://email.ecoearth.info/u?id=84046H&n=T&c=F&l=ecological_internet To subscribe, send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or visit here: http://www.ecoearth.info/subscribe/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
