Okay, I made a mysterious hint in the 11,000 members thread when someone suggested we raise funds for astronomical causes. Here are a few more details...

Phil and I both feel that we need to put the awesome power of BAUT to work helping to promote astronomy, education, and space exploration.

We were thinking of setting up some kind of non-profit foundation to channel fundraising efforts out to worthwhile projects. Here are some examples of ideas we had:

• BAUT Scholarship - a bursary/scholarship for BAUT members looking to attend post-secondary education in a astronomy/space exploration field of study.
  
• Astronomy Club Upgrades - we could help needy astronomy clubs (especially those in the 3rd world) upgrade their astronomy equipment.
  
• Astronomy Prizes - we could provide funding to amateur astronomers working on worthy goals, such as finding Earth-orbit crossing asteroids, hunting supernovae etc.
  
• Space Research - funds to groups working on new kinds of propulsion systems, space habitats, microsatellites.

With 11,000 members, I think we could raise some serious funds and do a lot of good in the world for our shared interest.

Now, here's the disclaimer. Neither Phil nor I have any experience whatsoever in setting something like this up. We're looking for some veteran fundraisers/non-profit-foundation-setter-uppers to help us get the ball rolling, so if you've got some experience, please drop one of us an email. (badastro@badastronomy.com or info@universetoday.com).

There are a million decisions and details that will need to be worked out, but for now, I'd love to hear your ideas for the kinds of projects that BAUT could help get involved in.

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Actually, I had an idea months ago that costs absolutely nothing. It's outlined in this thread. It never happened because the BA was quite busy, but I figure we may have a shot at it now.

Basically, I proposed that the BA should distribute awards to websites with good science instead of just debunking the bad ones. This could easily be changed to a BAUT award instead of a BA award.

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I don't have much experience with fundreasing... but i think it is importent to offer many ways poeple can donate.
Paypal, credit cards, bank cards, checks...

Its importent for non-us members to be able to donate easly too.

@Phil: You made a post on your blog aaron was raising funds for too for the katerina astronomy club problems.
Maybe you can ask him for some help with this.

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Very interesting...

Edit: Including graduate school?

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I'll donate to the cause. Just let me know when.

Could you blast something out to the members via an email? I don't usually read all the threads, and I don't want to miss the opportunity to help such a great cause. Thank you.

One additional thought, my company sends out a weekly e-newsletter on the progress of the company, stories of special events, etc. Could you do something similar with the BAUT and Phil's upcoming travels? I'm sure you could add more to the newsletter. You could always add at the bottom a link to unsubcribe for those not interested.

If we set up a foundation, non-profit, then donations could be made tax deductible.

Just an idea.


I know people that work with fund raisers. I can ask them.

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"I will do my best to understand and explain the universe from big to small without invoking miracles, unrepeatable events, or divine intervention. In place of those things I will use observations, mathematics, and science."


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