Law Technology

Help a Good Cause - Train for Humanity

By Andrew Flusche

Behold, the power of blogs!

Leo Babauta, Mark Hayward, and Dan Clements are racing to make a difference! They’re the pilot athletes in a new humanitarian nonprofit that I’m helping with: Train for Humanity.

Here’s the skinny: Leo, Mark, and Dan are all training for endurance events (marathons and triathlons). To help make a difference in the world, they’ve founded a nonprofit to aid humanitarian causes. They’re asking people to sponsor their training by donating to Train for Humanity. The funds will then be donated to the Darfur Peace and Development Organization.

A different kind of nonprofit

Train for Humanity is officially organized as a nonprofit, and we’re seeking our 501(c)(3) determination from the IRS. I’m helping with that.

But what sets apart TFH is that we’re a no-fluff organization. We have no employees. We have no paid directors or officers. We have no rented office space. The Board of Directors meets via free conference calls. We’re serious about the cause.

When you donate to TFH, you can be sure that the money is going where it’s supposed to: humanitarian aid. You’re not making Executive Directors wealthy. You’re not paying for fancy travel accommodations so we can have posh board meetings. You’re sponsoring athletes who will give that money to the needy.

Complete accountability

To prove that we’re serious about this, TFH has a page dedicated to our public accountability. We’ll be posting our financial info for the world to see. You tell what money is donated, what minimal expenses we incur, and what charities get the proceeds. It’s that simple.

In the near future, I hope to start posting our board meeting minutes, bylaws, and other documents online as well. I hate that many nonprofits hide the ball from their donors.

Can you chip in?

If you’d like to help get this effort rolling, please sponsor Train for Humanity. Your sponsorship can go to a specific athlete, or it can be for the organization generally.

You can also help by spreading the word. Post a quick note on your blog about TFH. Add one of our cool badges to your sidebar. Send a tweet to your friends. Every bit helps.

Disclosure: I am a Director of Train for Humanity, and I am the lawyer who assisted with their formation.

Photo by mknobil

Full post as published by Legal Andrew on September 09, 2008 (boomark / email).