Anyone who knows me and has ever been around when the topic of space has come up knows that I’m a little obsessed with space and NASA. I know I’m not the only one. So once this idea stuck in my head, it’s stuck.
The Problem
The NASA Administrator is authorized by 42 U.S.C. 2473(b) to accept unconditional gifts or donations of services, money and property. However they are not allowed to solicit donations. Because of that, until now, the best way to donate to NASA has been through here.
That is inconvenient and we are sure deters many people from sending in checks or money orders.
The Plan
An simple organization whose sole purpose is to collect those monies and donate them to NASA. (I may have an accountant to help me set this up.)
A simple landing page (SupportNASA.org – yes I own it now) that enables people to donate to NASA. Money will be collected via online payment form and donated to NASA on a regular basis. Of course,
Org will be run completely off donated time and services. If money is needed that will be raised separately. Due to the simplicity of the plan I don’t think there are many administrative costs aside from money fees.
Bonus: Volunteer designers and developers will build a new donate page monthly… Because it’s cool. (Already have the launch landing page lined up. If you’re interested in grabbing a month, let me know.)
Questions:
- Does anyone see any issues with this plan? (legal, practical…)
- Will NASA be okay with this? Will they take our money?
Why?
If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.
– Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Jack Reichert 