Grassroots.org needs our help

[Fearless]

TRAFFIC is clearly the front-runner and most important player in the domain conferences field. When you are the leader in any category you do not need to give away the store so to speak but the secondary players often do give lots of freebies and deals because they are always playing catch-up and looking harder than the front-runner for pubicity and customers. That happens in various busnesses all the time.

You must not have attended Domainfest.

 

[Angela Siefer]

Trader, most nonprofits do not fundraise in the ways you mentioned. Most rely upon the goodwill of those who believe in their work. Like Grassroots.org they choose their fundraising activities very carefully so as not to impact their reputation. Most nonprofits also do not have marketing staff. This means you do not know they exist. Trader, I would be thrilled to introduce you to reputable nonprofits in your area, nonprofits who struggle to cover their budgets.

Grassroots.org was born out of the domain industry. We also assumed that those in the domain industry would understand our mission. That they would understand the need for small charities to establish a presence online.

Fundraising is tough. I did not get into nonprofit work to fundraise. I chose this line of work because I want to make a difference. The reality is that I must fundraise to cover the Grassroots.org budget. Mike Mann helps. He provides a portion of our budget and he introduces me to folks who might us.

It is important for us to attend TRAFFIC because we have finally established momentum and I hate to lose that. And as you all noted, TRAFFIC is the front-runner.

 

[NostraDomainus]

As to why it's important for them to attend conferences: They were founded by a domainer and receive a chunk of their funding by auctioning domains which are donated by domainers.

With all due respect - Something just doesn't pass the 'smell test' for me.

If grassroots.org receives a chunk of their funding by auctioning domains which were donated by domainers, and is the impetus for needing freebie entries into domaining events (to auction domains)...

Why don't they just use the profits from previous sales to fund entry into future events which will garner them greater sums of returns than any menial costs associated said entry fee? (Assuming they have successfully sold domains before; ...and if they haven't - like anyone, a good strategy, imo, would be to crawl before you try to walk, and learn to walk before trying to run. That is to say, if they can't afford high-cost efforts, why not leverage the free/low-cost channels which are available? - like other upstarts do in successfully expanding their coffers and continuing to grow competent businesses for the short, medium and long-run.)

I appreciate 'non-profits' trying to play in the 'for-profit' market, but again, something smells 'fishy' with the above rationale (which is not to preclude there aren't more details to this than what meets the eye).

By all means, enlighten my ignorance and offer any insights you may have into the above, as I look forward to hearing back from anyone and wish them the Best Success in All Their Endeavours.

PS: Please don't get me wrong - I enjoy freebies as much as the next person, for or against profit.

 

[RTM.net]

and if all this is merely a nice move at getting free highly targetted niche PR coverage in the domaining community - here, other forums and of course the blogosphere.

Just look at how this thread has exploded... multiply that across multiple sites / venues and the coverage for grassroots.org (as well as TRAFFIC) is far more valuable than the $2K conference fees we are all discussing.

Rob

 

[TheLegendaryJP]

Oh come on Greg iphones.mmbi or .mobi whatever is no where near $1 million, maybe settle at $750k tax receipt and call it a day.

 

[Donna Mahony]

You folks are funny to me in your thinking. You talk of how non profits use money improperly, then don't understand why grassroots.org doesn't use that maney in the same way you would have faulted them for. They can't win either way I guess. This isn't a TRAFFIC or non profit bashing thread..It's just a request for help for those that might want to.

 

[David G]

FYI, your signature link goes to something called "Civilization Chronicles Box Set" and I did not see any 4 letter domains there?

and if all this is merely a nice move at getting free highly targetted niche PR coverage in the domaining community - here, other forums and of course the blogosphere.

Just look at how this thread has exploded... multiply that across multiple sites / venues and the coverage for grassroots.org (as well as TRAFFIC) is far more valuable than the $2K conference fees we are all discussing.

Rob

 

[Angela Siefer]

We just began accepting domain donations. We think it could possibly be a superb way for the domain community to support us (considering the tax benefit for the donor). Our first auction was at DOMAINfest. We brought in a little over $15K. Not a large amount for a $400,000 budget but it is a start and hopefully we will gather more names for the next SnapNames Auction. For us to do this, we need to ask domainers. For us to ask domainers we need to get to know them. To get to know them we need to be where they are. Forums and conferences. Conferences are good because they can meet the Grassroots.org staff, hear about what we do and most importantly - determine for themselves that we are a good cause.

 

[TheLegendaryJP]

 

[Fearless]

Oh come on Greg iphones.mmbi or .mobi whatever is no where near $1 million, maybe settle at $750k tax receipt and call it a day.

Maybe if Vision can give me an official appraisal Uncle Sam will accept. :yes:

 

[TheLegendaryJP]

Maybe if Vision can give me an official appraisal Uncle Sam will accept. :yes:

Im sure with your vast reach into the under belly of the industry you can get someone to give an official appraisal..maybe sedo :lol:

 

[mjnels]

ah yes, mobee jokes... now that is some original comedy right there.

 

[NostraDomainus]

Why did the .mobi cross the road?

 

[sashas]

the idea here is the gesture of giving free tickets, not the actual cost.

 

[Deleted member 70408]

the idea here is the gesture of giving free tickets, not the actual cost.

The idea here is that people donate money (or a spare ticket) so Grassroots.org can attend the show.

 

[TheLegendaryJP]

 

[Raider]

I respect all parties here but to ask for donation when the owner and or creator(s) of this effort are multi-millionaires is not a good cause. This is not to knock Mike or anyone else. It's ok for Donna to ask, sure it is, but I bet there are forum members on here struggling to feed their families and for that I would contribute but for this? Maybe there is a reason they are not paying, a business reason that none of us are aware of? I'm not sure I get this one at all, sorry.

I could not of said it better....

Let's remember that one way Michael Mann made his fortune was at OUR expense, Buying up registrars to grab domains EXCLUSIVELY for himself and robbing us of the opportunity... I have zero trust in this Man and ANY organization with his name on it.

I commend Rick and Howard at TRAFFIC for doing the RIGHT thing, NOBODY should get a free ride.

 

[domain newbie]

i think it's personal, "kring" does anything to prevent losing his "crown", i got feeling there is a coup just around the corner, hehe..

 

[Donna Mahony]

I respect all parties here but to ask for donation when the owner and or creator(s) of this effort are multi-millionaires is not a good cause. This is not to knock Mike or anyone else. It's ok for Donna to ask, sure it is, but I bet there are forum members on here struggling to feed their families and for that I would contribute but for this? Maybe there is a reason they are not paying, a business reason that none of us are aware of? I'm not sure I get this one at all, sorry.

I totally agree with the fact that not all can afford to give. I mention this just so you understand who and what I am about a little, when this forum went to a paid membership, I searched out a few good, hardworking contributors, I didn't know them personally, and paid for their memberships as they deserved to be here to learn and grow.

 

[Fearless]

Angela can correct me if I'm wrong but I think with the charity it's a cost/benefit analysis for them, rather than a we can't afford it deal. Unlike a parking company that could snag a couple of $10K/month profit parking clients, they have to depend on cheap-*** domainers to donate small amounts of cash or resources.

In the end they calculated after buying round trip airfare tickets, hotel rooms, Traffic tickets and booth space, they would spend way more than they take in.

I think by show time a few people will have extra tickets they would otherwise not be using and they will donate and get a tax benefit. You girls can also sleep in my extra bed and sofa. They will just have to do without a booth. So I'll see you in Vegas Angela.