Hi Tex,
A group I am a part of was asking about the Restroom Access Card I mentioned in a post. I posted the link to the Microscopic Colitis Foundation site where the card can be requested. But... I was surprised to read that they would have to make a donation in order to get the card. Is there another way for them to request a card? Once they read and get more familiar with the MC Foundation site and also this forum, I'm sure they would be more comfortable and/or interested in donating to the organization.
Restroom Access Card
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humbird753
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Restroom Access Card
Paula
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
Hi Paula,
I can see how someone might think that such cards should be free for the asking because some organizations issue similar cards printed on card stock, and they cost virtually nothing to print. So it only costs that organization about a dollar to mail out that card. Our cards are printed on plastic credit card stock. It cost me almost $1500 to get set up with a printer that would print those cards. I paid for the printer out of my own pocket, rather than billing it to the MCF, hoping that some day the donations would justify the cost. The tape (ink) ribbons are relatively expensive and don't last very long. If we allow only a dollar or two per card for the use of the printer, it will take many donations to recover the cost of the printer. When you add that to the cost of the cards and ink ribbons, plus the cost of printing a letter and mailing it, we've got at least 4 or 5 dollars in each card.
The original idea was to offer the cards as an added incentive for donors. I'll admit that I've sent out a few cards for 5 dollar donations, but that's OK — at least we didn't lose any money on those, we just volunteered our labor for nothing. But if we send out free cards (without donations), other people's donations (or mine) will go toward subsidizing those free cards, and I'm sure that wasn't the intent of the donors. See the problem?
That said, if they absolutely can't afford a donation to even cover the cost, I'll be happy to send them a free card if they contact me using the contact form on the MCF site and ask for a card. I'll pay for it myself so that the organization doesn't lose any money.
Tex
I can see how someone might think that such cards should be free for the asking because some organizations issue similar cards printed on card stock, and they cost virtually nothing to print. So it only costs that organization about a dollar to mail out that card. Our cards are printed on plastic credit card stock. It cost me almost $1500 to get set up with a printer that would print those cards. I paid for the printer out of my own pocket, rather than billing it to the MCF, hoping that some day the donations would justify the cost. The tape (ink) ribbons are relatively expensive and don't last very long. If we allow only a dollar or two per card for the use of the printer, it will take many donations to recover the cost of the printer. When you add that to the cost of the cards and ink ribbons, plus the cost of printing a letter and mailing it, we've got at least 4 or 5 dollars in each card.
The original idea was to offer the cards as an added incentive for donors. I'll admit that I've sent out a few cards for 5 dollar donations, but that's OK — at least we didn't lose any money on those, we just volunteered our labor for nothing. But if we send out free cards (without donations), other people's donations (or mine) will go toward subsidizing those free cards, and I'm sure that wasn't the intent of the donors. See the problem?
That said, if they absolutely can't afford a donation to even cover the cost, I'll be happy to send them a free card if they contact me using the contact form on the MCF site and ask for a card. I'll pay for it myself so that the organization doesn't lose any money.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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humbird753
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Tex, that makes perfect sense to me. I assumed they cost nothing only because that's how I originally got one, but as you said it was on card stock. Since making donations to the MCF, I've received a couple that way. Thank you for your response.
Paula
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
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humbird753
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- Posts: 1014
- Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:44 pm
- Location: Wisconsin
For those familiar with "Birthday Fundraisers" that Facebook members do, there is a member of one of the microscopic colitis support groups on Facebook who wants to do a fundraiser for microscopic colitis for her birthday. I gave her the link for microscopiccolitisfoundation.org. Out of curiosity, I tried listing it as a non-profit to receive funds from a fundraiser, and it does show up as Microscopic Colitis Foundation, Bartlett, TX. Wish her lots of luck. I will be doing the same when my birthday gets closer in July. Donations received from these fundraisers go directly to the non-profit organization once the fundraiser is completed in the time frame you list. Although I believe the information showing the foundation as being in Bartlett, TX, is correct, please let me know if it is not accurate, Tex. Or, if you're aware of any legal reasons why this can't or shouldn't be done, please let me know. Thank you.
Paula
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
That's the correct address. The articles of incorporation were filed in Texas and we're listed as a legal non-profit by the IRS. If you need to look it up, our EIN is 47-3946657.
Tex
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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humbird753
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Thank you, Tex, for confirming the address they show is correct. I'll check to make sure that EIN is connected to the non-profit that's coming up on Facebook for the MCF.
Paula
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
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humbird753
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- Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:44 pm
- Location: Wisconsin
I am having difficulty trying to find out the EIN for the MCF I am finding on Facebook. Contacting Facebook to ask questions is next to impossible, or at least that's been my experience.
While I was searching, I found that someone created a Facebook page specifically for the Microscopic Colitis Foundation. I wasn't aware anyone created a page for the MCF. I'm certain it's yours/ours, Tex, because of the logo, etc. Since I am finding a Facebook page for the non-profit organization, I believe it is linking my request to your/our non-profit.
I will continue to see if there is a way for me to find out the EIN associated with the non-profit I found when trying to create a fundraiser.
While I was searching, I found that someone created a Facebook page specifically for the Microscopic Colitis Foundation. I wasn't aware anyone created a page for the MCF. I'm certain it's yours/ours, Tex, because of the logo, etc. Since I am finding a Facebook page for the non-profit organization, I believe it is linking my request to your/our non-profit.
I will continue to see if there is a way for me to find out the EIN associated with the non-profit I found when trying to create a fundraiser.
Paula
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
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humbird753
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1014
- Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:44 pm
- Location: Wisconsin
Okay, thank you for that information. But isn't it true that donations made through that FB page go to the Microscopic Colitis Foundation? That's how I'm seeing it, but I may be wrong. When clicking on the "donate" button on that FB page, it redirects me to the MCF website page to make the donation.
Paula
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
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jessica329
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Hi Paula. I manage the Facebook page. I tend to post more actively when I'm flaring and spending a lot of time on the toilet, LOL. Anyways, to answer your question, everyone charges fees now to donate money. I set the Facebook donation to redirect to our website to try and circumvent some of those fees.
Jessica
Lymphocytic colitis August 2012
Lymphocytic colitis August 2012
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humbird753
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- Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:44 pm
- Location: Wisconsin
Hi Jessica. Since you own and manage that Facebook page, your understanding of computers is more than mine is. I am not so much interested in learning how to make individual donations as I know I can go directly to the MCF website to do that, but rather setting up a FB Birthday Fundraiser.
A member of one of the MC support groups on FB mentioned her interest in having a Birthday Fundraiser next month, and asked if anyone knew of a non-profit for this specific "disease." I gave her the MCF information. Since she is not familiar with the MCF or this forum yet, I wanted to go through the steps to initiate a FB Bday Fundraiser to see what problems (if any) she might encounter.
When typing in Microscopic Colitis Foundation one comes up as being located in Bartlett, TX. Because of this, I can only assume this is the correct one and that any money donated would definitely be going to the MCF. When Tex provided the EIN for the MCF, I was trying to find out if there was a way of knowing (through FB) if the EIN provided is definitely linked to the non-profit. Is this something you'd know?
A member of one of the MC support groups on FB mentioned her interest in having a Birthday Fundraiser next month, and asked if anyone knew of a non-profit for this specific "disease." I gave her the MCF information. Since she is not familiar with the MCF or this forum yet, I wanted to go through the steps to initiate a FB Bday Fundraiser to see what problems (if any) she might encounter.
When typing in Microscopic Colitis Foundation one comes up as being located in Bartlett, TX. Because of this, I can only assume this is the correct one and that any money donated would definitely be going to the MCF. When Tex provided the EIN for the MCF, I was trying to find out if there was a way of knowing (through FB) if the EIN provided is definitely linked to the non-profit. Is this something you'd know?
Paula
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
Hi Brandy,
Yes we are, I send a card and a letter expressing our appreciation to every donor who provides a mailing address.
Tex
Yes we are, I send a card and a letter expressing our appreciation to every donor who provides a mailing address.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.