My name is Matt. A few years ago I started a non-profit organization to encourage students to pursue careers in science, math and technology. There's a tremendous shortage of engineers and scientists in the country. I thought this was a need I could help with. For awhile, I worked on it while also having a regular "day" job as a software programmer and website developer. Earlier this year, I realized the workload had become too much to have two full-time jobs, so I left my "day" job to focus on the non-profit. Of course, this isn't a good time for non-profit organizations or charities. In fact, donations and grants are almost zero at this point.
The organization is the Aerospace Research & Engineering Systems Institute, Inc., http://www.aresinstitute.org. If you visit the website and click on the "About" link, you can read more about it and there's also a link to the official IRS registration of our 501 c(3) tax-exempt status.
So, here's the situation...
Since the spring, I've put as much as I can into the company from my personal assets to keep it alive. I've sacrificed my car, luxuries like cable TV (ALL luxuries, in fact) and have even reduced my food budget to next-to-nothing. I'm actually relying on friends donations of food and household items otherwise I'd be down and out for sure.
I do NOT have any credit card debt; do NOT have student loans; have NOT lived beyond my means; and I have never bought luxury items or things not necessary to live. In short, I live within my means and sacrifice as much as I need to. I haven't been foolish by running up credit cards, buying a house or car that I can't afford or going to movies and vacations when I can't afford it. In other words, I know I'm doing the right thing and playing by the "rules" such as they are.
I'll also point out that I have been employed, full-time, since the 1990's. I still work every day, 12+ hours, and don't intend to change that.
So, no debt, full-time job, what's the problem? The problem is that I put so much into the non-profit that I am not exactly financially self-sufficient right now. Worse than that, more importantly, the non-profit (like many these days) is struggling to remain viable. There's just no money out there it seems.
Because of that, I'm turning to any resource I can find on the internet and off in order to ask the good people who are around for assistance. I'm not asking for any specific amount - $1 or $100, it's all helpful. It will help me personally as well as my company as it tries to make it through the recession as well.
If anyone out there can help, please contact me or use the PayPal Donate button on the homepage of our website. Either way works for me. I can't offer anything in return except eternal gratitude, although I wish I could do more.
Thanks so much.
