Hi Sheila,
Instead of returning (or tearing up) the cheques, I guess it would be a
better idea for the NGO to get a 80D (or similar sounding) certificate which
allows the donators income tax benefits. If people get IT exemption I'm sure
more money will roll in. Please talk to your lawyer friends about this.
Also, since the project is in Gurgaon, there will be at least a few friends
working with the IT (this time information technology) industry. Please ask
them to speak to their bosses/CEOs/CFOs. This is because every IT company
has a budget for social/environmental responsibility. If funds can b etaken
in from these groups then you might have to put up a few billboards
declaring "This part of the project is sponsored by X company".
If you already know these, then I'm sorry for stating known ideas.
Cheers
Bikram
On 7/23/08, Sheila <she...@delhibird.net> wrote:
> It is with a heavy heart that I have to report that inflation has caught
> up with our project and the cheques and pledges were not anywhere close to
> covering the expenses so we have had to cancel it. I want to thank everyone
> who came forward so generously - regretably I shall be tearing up your
> cheques with the hope that I may someday again call upon you and with more
> success.
> I really hate to give up on this as the place and opportunity was perfect -
> 1) WSOS is willing to let us use their land
> 2) The boundary wall fences are already up and all we need to do is make
> the roof - only the roof.
> 3) They have the vets, the people to care for the animals on a day to day
> basis and will scrounge the means to feed and look after the birds
> It really could not be better. Unfortunately to cover the entire space - a
> structure would have to be built to support the metal mesh on top and ensure
> it does not fall due to strong winds, storms, or rains - just for support
> and roof would work out to about 17 - 18 lakh. We did not even dream about
> that, we thought we would cover about 1/3rd of the area which would have
> served our purpose and even for that, the most conservative estimate we
> could get was 3.5-3.75 lakhs. Our collection worked out to Rs.80,000.
> The place still stands, the birds still wait and the project hopes for some
> wealthy generous benefactors to dig deep and save them all. So all of you
> out there, take out your begging bowls, pull in favours and ask anyone you
> can ( I have a deep, sincere and new found respect for NGOs and realise how
> difficult it is for them to function) and if we come anywhere close to
> our required figure we will grab this golden opportunity and watch our birds
> fly free again -
> Thanking you once again, and still with hope
> Sheila
