HRWiki:2008 Spring Fundraising Drive
From Homestar Runner Wiki
It's that time again. Since we can't legally sell any products or advertising space on the site, a fundraising drive is the only way for us to afford the cost of our dedicated server lease and bandwidth charges. This fundraising drive will be held from February 17 to March 20, 2008.
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[edit] Why do we need funds?
Hosting costs on our dedicated server are approximately US$940 per quarter, but FellowSites has been bringing in nearly $240 of that (see "How else may I help?" below for information about FellowSites), so we only need to cover $700 in donations every three months. Believe it or not, it's been almost a year since our last fundraising drive. We haven't missed any server lease payments, but Joey has loaned the wiki $600 to cover some cost and would like to get most of that back as soon as possible. A detailed statement of our current financial situation is available at our ledger.
[edit] The goal
We'd like to raise US$2,000. With this amount, we should have enough to pay off our current debt and cover hosting costs until September 2008. We realize this number is higher than any previous drive goal. The simple reason is that we're playing catch-up after not holding a drive for so long. Note, however, that even though last April's goal was only $1,200, we raised nearly $1,800, so $2,000 is more reasonable than it sounds at first. If we don't reach the goal, it means we'll need to hold another smaller drive in the summer.
Although $2,000 is lot of money, please don't feel obligated to donate large amounts just to reach our goal. If only 200 users donate US$10, we'll raise the entire amount. We currently have over ten thousand registered users on the wiki. Even taking into account that many of these are vandals or sock puppets, it's a safe bet that at least 200 are actively using or contributing content to the site. If you use the site often, US$10 is a small amount to ask for six months. If you are a power user (you know who you are), US$20 is still quite a reasonable amount.
[edit] How can I donate?
The most convenient means of donating to the Wiki is through PayPal — it can be handled quickly online for only a small handling surcharge. Click on the link corresponding to your local currency from the list below.
 | United States Dollars |
 | European Union Euros |
 | British Pounds |
 | Canadian Dollars |
 | Japanese Yen |
 | Australian Dollars |
Donating via PayPal will deduct a surcharge of 2.9% plus US$0.30 from the total amount transferred. Please take this into account when you send your donations (After surcharges, $10.61 = $10.00; $20.91 = $20.00, and $51.80 = $50.00).
Alternatively, you may send checks or money orders through regular mail. Since the Homestar Runner Wiki isn't legally incorporated, please make donations payable to Joey Day. You may mail donations to:
HOMESTAR RUNNER WIKI
C/O JOEY DAY
117 WAYFIELD DR
Draper, UT 84020-7972
UNITED STATES
If you are sending a donation from outside the United States, please remember that an international money order or check (cheque) payable to a United States bank would be appreciated. This is to avoid collection costs, which can be in excess of US$50. International postal money orders payable in the United States are available in post offices in many countries and will ensure your complete donation goes to the Wiki. Please do not send currency through the mail.
[edit] How else may I help?
To recoup some of our server cost, we also offer a non-profit hosting service on our server called FellowSites. If you're currently paying to host a website, we would encourage you to switch to our service. You'll be supporting the wiki and we might even be able to save you some money. To find out more about FellowSites, check out the website or contact us.
Of course, you are under no obligation to donate or host a website with us. Please feel free to continue using the site even if you're unable to help out financially. Just being a member of the wiki and helping out where you can is more than enough contribution in itself.
To those who donate and to those who contribute to our community in other ways, we are grateful for your support.
Sincerely,
AgentSeethroo, InterruptorJones, It's dot com, JoeyDay, Stu, and Tom
The Homestar Runner Wiki Administration Team
