As Karl mentioned in his Halloween address, we are working on a Kickstarter to fund the development and production of Frank N. Foode plushes. Our dream is to have everyone who wants one get a Frank in their hands and start taking photos and videos of themselves with their favorite plants, animals, science, and food. Frank has been all over the world and helped tell many stories – we hope he can help tell your story, too!
You can help Frank’s seeding grow into a tall plant by contributing some time. How’s that? We’ve got some really awesome things as gifts for donors in addition to Frank plushes. But we are hoping to share some cool experiences with donors as well (travel expenses not included). So far we have dinners with all of Biofortified’s board members, a few tours of laboratories and fields, and a tour of a winery.
Do you or someone you know have something you’d like to share with a Frank enthusiast? Perhaps you run an apiary in New York, or your family has a hog farm in Illinois. Perhaps you help procure food for a soup kitchen in California or you organize a CSA program in Texas. Perhaps you’re an apple breeder in Washington or a genetic engineer in Georgia. All of these and many more types of tours and experiences that tell stories about agriculture and food are welcome. Of course the people who attend the tour will have their very own Frank to take pictures and will be invited to tell the story of their experience on the Biofortified Blog (encouraged, but not required). Please contact us if you are interested in donating such an experience.
Exciting, isn’t it? And we have even more awesome news to share – Biology Fortified, Inc. is officially a 501(c)(3) charitable organization! This means that all donations through the Kickstarter campaign (or PayPal!) will be tax deductible*. You can now find us on the IRS Exempt Organizations Select Check search tool:
* The IRS classifies us as a Public Charity, and has this to say about tax deductions: “In general, an individual who itemizes deductions may deduct contributions to most charitable organizations up to 50% of his or her adjusted gross income computed without regard to net operating loss carrybacks. Individuals generally may deduct charitable contributions to other organizations up to 30% of their adjusted gross income (computed without regard to net operating loss carrybacks). These limitations (and organizational status) are indicated as follows: Deductibility Limitation 50%.” Please contact your tax professional for more information.
I thought I would also add, for those who have been ever-so-patient, we are planning to launch the Kickstarter in the beginning of January 2014. A successful crowdfunding venture not only depends on us, and our readers, but all of our abilities to publicize the event so other people can join in! Think about who you can tell about it between now and the end of the year, and be ready to send this through the roof! 🙂
I don’t have a farm. I don’t even have a yard. But if someone wants, I can take him or her to this beach with Frank and sit around chatting about biotech. LOL
There’s no reason why some people on Kaua’i can’t put together something interesting for other donors on the island! 🙂
Wow, that’s really beautiful!