Abruzzo Earthquake Fundraising Drive

[juliancoll]

I have never heard of them Russ - probably because I don't go out of my way to seek this type of organistation out - but it could be one way to do it if all else fails and people don't want to do it collectively here - which doesn't seem to be the case so far.

Lets wait for Ronni and/or Cristiana to comment - could be a while.

[juliancoll]

Sorry Ron - crossposted!

Does this mean that we/ItMag cant set up a separate fund to donate into here - for the members to donate into as a collective group?

[Russ]

Just to follow up up Ronalds thread re Croce Rossa, I checked out what the British Red Cross was doing and found this Italy Earthquake Appeal launched | British Red Cross

Now as fund raising works extremely well when their is a common goal, target or group, I reckon a Justgiving account could be set up with the Red Cross being the recipient. I feel sure that we could ask them to direct all monies to this appeal.

Russ

[ronald]

Of course you can go ahead and setup an account - perhaps through something like justgiving.org or even just an individual's Paypal account.

I also believe that right now what is really important is to give to the Red Cross for the immediate needs. Stories in Italian media today are about hotels saying they only have money/food available for a couple of days so the weight will be on the Red Cross to provide. Then once the immediate needs are met we will be very happy to set up what

ITALY Magazine will be looking to set up a joint project with an Italian association - also so as to ensure that money is not wasted on taxes and transaction fees. Right now if you wanted to simply collect money that is not under any specific regime and would have to be taxed unless it goes straight to a charity.

Check out this page from justgiving.org

Justgiving knowledgebase

If the money does not go to a charity there is a 5% fee, VAT, etc. So although it will take a bit longer we prefer to do something where money goes to a clear project and an easily recognisable Italian organisation.

[Russ]

I do have an account with JustGiving from the 5 marathons on 5 continents in 5 days appeal I did (no, not really, it was something else) if you all feel this might work.

It would be in the name of "Italy Mag Forum Members Italian Earthquake Appeal" or whatever we wanted to call it.

It would be "ours" JC and labelled as such, so quite personal to Forum Members.

I can set something up in 10 minutes, if you would like me too and to nominate the funds to go to this appeal via the British Red Cross. This way we get an extra 28 per cent which we would not if we donate directly to Croce Rossa, as I very much doubt the Italian government has such an arrangement.

Yes? No?

Russ

[Nielo]

Justgiving is extremely good and I have used them many times in the past. Setting up a page is very easy and, you are right Russ, anyone who is a UK tax-payer can boost their donation with gift aid.

[Lollita]

Each year my mother in law puts together dozens of shoe boxes to send to children in areas of conflict, famine etc. Could this be a way of getting donations directly to the area. There may be many organisations which do this, I found this one

Home | Operation Christmas Child

Are there any removal people on the forum who might donate a little space each trip?

[juliancoll]

Yes Russ - go ahead and set it up - before we start getting all different ideas coming up and we lose our way or get entangled in a fight about the best way to do it - lets just do it.

The extra 28% is an excellent way to increase the amount - but can we make sure it goes to the Abruzzo Earthquake appeal part of the Red Cross - rather than just the general Red Cross fund?

[Lollita]

Ignore my last post JC, Russ is the way to go I think, but I too would like to know it's not just going into the global pot.

[ronald]

Set up a page here: Justgiving - ITALY Magazine Abruzzo Earthquake Appeal with the British Red Cross as the recipients.

Will now get in touch with them and ask that the money is directed to the Abruzzo Earthquake Appeal.

ps: oops missed all the discussion about Russ setting one up. - Russ let me know if you did something already and I can remove the one I did.