Tom Voigt organizing a Zodiac Reward Fund

[morf13]

Tom Voigt organizing a Zodiac Reward Fund- A truly worthwhile cause:
http://www.gofundme.com/ZodiacKillerReward

[duckking2001]

The site is just a promotional platform and money transfer service. You might as well just give your money directly to Tom. In fact, I'd encourage doing that instead if you feel comfortable because the site charges a 5% service fee deducted from each donation.

I hope that doesn't come across as some sort of criticism. It's a good idea and I'm just pointing out that the site is a sort of middle man for those in the public that are interested in the case, but are not a part of the online community who are in a better position to be more directly involved.

[Soze]

Thanks for presenting it Morf.

I certainly like the idea.

Soze

[Seagull]

It is my understanding from the way these fund raising sites work that unless the goal of the dollar amount is met, the amount of your donation will not be deducted from your credit card or Paypal account. It is only when the goal is met that things are set into action. In this case the goal is $100,000 and that seems unattainable to me.

If anyone knows anything more about how these sites work, please post.

[doranchak]

I think that on Kickstarter, no money changes hands unless the goal is met. But I think gofundme gives you each donation made by donors (even if your original goal is not met).

There is no way he will reach his $100,000 goal. He needs to supply some legal assurances that the money will be used appropriately. Why would potential donators trust him with that much money? It needs to go into some kind of trust fund or similarly secured account.

Otherwise, it just looks like some guy on the internet wants a lot of money for a vaguely defined purpose that donators have no control over.

[morf13]

I think that on Kickstarter, no money changes hands unless the goal is met. But I think gofundme gives you each donation made by donors (even if your original goal is not met).

There is no way he will reach his $100,000 goal. He needs to supply some legal assurances that the money will be used appropriately. Why would potential donators trust him with that much money? It needs to go into some kind of trust fund or similarly secured account.

Otherwise, it just looks like some guy on the internet wants a lot of money for a vaguely defined purpose that donators have no control over.

Perhaps, an attorney could set up an escrow, etc???

[Seagull]

He probably could but then the attorney would end up with a good chunk of the cash, no doubt, unless you could get someone to do it pro bono.

[Tahoe27]

It seems like it would have to go into some holding account.

I wouldn't want my card charged at some random future date, ya know??

[morf13]

I don't know how the nuts & bolts of this would work, but I think it's a good cause.

Maybe asking for chunks of donations might be better? Ask for donations of $1000 from sponsors? Maybe sponsors like Bay area radio stations, newspapers, etc Getting donations from 100 sponsors of $1000 each, gets you to the same goal, and they get advertising in the process

[Tahoe27]

I don't see what it would hurt! I'll for sure donate when I can to Tom's main site. If I find out more about how this works, I will probably donate to it as well. I'm just not fond of not knowing when my card would be charged so I'll wait a bit and see how it works out.