I've decided I wont miss a small amount each month so I've set my banking s/w to send Figs 4 Fun Foundation a check every month.  (6143 Fulmar St, San Diego, CA 92114)

If 30 people sent $5/month the Foundation would have an extra $9000 in 5 years.  if 20 people send $15/month it would be $3600/year.  The ten of you who could do $50/mo would give the Foundation $6,000/yr.

Let's give the Foundation a solid foundation for our own benefit and the benefit of future figlings every where.

bob, i'll join you as soon as i have finished moving all my things into right pots, and my fig fund is more or less stable.. until then, best i can do is occasionally spread my cuttings to other members and hopefully do some more auction for the F4FF.. tho, $5 a month doesn't sound so bad... that's less than four pints of Guinness.

I'm interested.  Is the foundation treasury report published somewhere?

Thank you, Bob.

I might add, for people thinking of doing likewise, that there may be opportunities for matching contributions from your employer or other sources that you deal with, that would be worth investigating.

The Foundation is a "member" of The San Diego Foundation and all of our financial, governance, and program info is there. [Edit to add link.]

We will be participating in Give Local America and GiveBig San Diego

Net assets at the end of 2013 were approximately $8500, which reflects the fact that we are only at the beginning of this project. Our IRS 990 form for 2013 has not yet been filed.

Our IRS 990 from for 2012 has been filed, and I checked the Foundation Center but we are not yet listed, presumably because our IRS letter was only received in December 2013.

Jon,

Ever consider getting some hats, vests or pins for a small fee?
Maybe a monthly or quarterly publication to members?

I like Rafed's idea of a publication. Even every other month(6x a year) I believe is what I contribute to our Indiana DNR publication. Some interesting things to include would be:

Recent news
A few highlighted fig varieties with pictures
Fig gardening tips
Highlighting a forum member and their collection
Possibly a useful thread discussion
Recipe section
Etc.

I am sure people would love a hard copy of a publication like that. Also something that members would wear out the pages because it could be used over and over. Just like any publication it could have a subscription card and maybe bring more people to the fig community by gift subscription and sharing of the publications.

I could spare $5 a month. It's a small price for the wealth of information contained on this site. The fig addicts here are most helpful, joyous and generous.

I like the idea and $5/mo is a doable amount, specially when there is a quarterly or bimonthly readable material involved  that contains all kinds of news and reports even treasury balance for all the paying members to get.
Great idea.

yeah, t-shirts with something like "FMV... only thing we have to fear is, fear itself".

PETEEEEEE   that's so funny   "FMV... only thing we have to fear is, fear itself".    LOL


I'd wear it!

I think if there's going to be a newsletter it will have to come from us.  I doubt Jon has time.  As far as knickknacks like pins and such, I wouldn't want them.  I don't know how the rest of you feel.

Also, for all of us that just bought cuttings, think about how much we saved vs ebay and let that influence your decision.

Rafed,

Yes we have considered a lot of things, and as time permits, we will be pursuing some of them. It always takes longer to accomplish these things than we would like.

We have some leads on possible joint-use land that we need to focus on this spring.

Our link to The San Diego Foundation

I have been to a gazillion trade shows in my sales career, and I never kept one pin, pen, cap or tee shirt.  I don't even think we need a newsletter.  This is a valuable forum, and so many links are posted here leading to great outside information!  I'm in for the $5.00 monthly.  I'll use paypal.  JD pays all the bills online, and as you know, he's not a big fig fan!  BUT, I have my little paypal account, so I could do it that way.

Suzi

Just set up monthly donation through Paypal right on the Figs 4 Fun Foundation site. Easy peasy baby! I'm in.

We are retired, no money coming in.  So I followed your advice, and PayPal will take $3.00 from me monthly.  Not a lot, but we are retired.  Doing what we can!  3 x 12 = $36.00

Suzi

Nice guilt trip, Bob!  haha.. j/k   I'm in.  I just set up a recurring donation.  

This is so funny!  "Nice guilt trip Bob!"  Yes!  We all pretty much hate the dude that comes to our cubicles to collect money for this or that. 

James, you rock!

Suzi

Just finished my trust/will and the Foundation will receive a nice inheritance from my estate...but hopefully not for a while. :-)

LOL... Sue,while you are at it, make sure you leave one of your babies to Jon too for slavery. Someone has to attend all those trees.

Figs 4 fun magazine showcasing stories and pics from members ;-)

Dave that;s a very good idea, I'd be all for it.

Been thinking about the foundation over the weekend. I have been very appreciable for all the generous cuttings in the past year. And then thought, hmmm most probably originated from Jon.  So I need to do my part. Hopefully Sooner than Later. 

Jon can answer specifically but the idea is to preserve a collection of fig trees that can be managed to preserve the varieties we now have, add to them as new cuttings become available and supply cuttings to people as Jon is doing now.  Jon wont be around forever.  I believe the first order of business is to buy a piece of land to maintain the orchard on.