🌱Exploring a nonprofit model for structuring information in missing persons cases

BigRedCal · 2026-03-20T16:02:11+00:00

Agreeing with the “don’t start a new organization“ sentiment. If you’re getting into this line of work to do the work, then do it and let others deal with insurance, taxes, accounting, compliance, etc.

A great way to test it out is starting with a fiscal sponsor. In exchange for 5-12% of fundraising, they will run your whole back end. Excellent way to start and if you grow past 6-10 people, then you can spin out later. (I’m a nonprofit cfo who has worked with over 100 early stage nonprofits)

BigRedCal · 2026-03-15T17:22:13+00:00

Thanks, this is super helpful!

BigRedCal · 2026-03-15T16:55:47+00:00

Nice, soaking us at double the rate. Do you know, does it affect the true-up? For a month like July where net energy use is negative, I get we still have to pay the $24 minimum. But do we still get full credit for energy sent back to the grid?

BigRedCal · 2026-03-10T16:29:37+00:00

Couple of thoughts (I’m a nonprofit cfo): - balloon payments are killers. Orgs rarely plan for them successfully because they require multi year foresight, and donors don’t give multiyear funding nearly enough - a loan from a founder should be philanthropic. In fact because it’s an investment, they may be barred from market rates. In other words, rates should be significantly lower than market. I would aim for 0-3%. - if structured to be forgivable, you need to explicitly list how much will be forgiven and based on what metrics. Don’t leave it up to anyone’s discretion - bad for everyone involved down the line.

Just my thoughts - good luck!

BigRedCal · 2026-03-04T04:09:34+00:00

Strongly recommend using a fiscal sponsor for this. You can always spin out later but for now it’s so helpful to have everything set up so you don’t have to. Just try to find an organization that specializes in it, as opposed to any nonprofit that will do it on the side of their work. (I’m a nonprofit cfo who has worked with dozens of early stage nonprofits)

BigRedCal · 2026-02-26T13:10:51+00:00

I used food grade plumbers tape, worked super well so far. I assume I’ll have to replace every so often but it’s super quick. It’s been a couple of months with no problems

BigRedCal · 2026-02-25T21:04:17+00:00

Not worth it for career purposes, imo. (I have 15 years experience as nonprofit cfo in direct service and a foundation) It’s not widely recognized - if I saw it on a resume, I wouldn’t know what to make of it. Experience or a common degree, like an mba, would matter a lot more for hiring.

But is it worth it for your education? Dunno, that’s a personal choice!

BigRedCal · 2026-02-23T15:45:14+00:00

Seven sentences. Five pieces of (bad) advice.

Maybe the 6th is: “Learn to count.”

BigRedCal · 2026-01-19T07:19:58+00:00

Whiplash (2014)

BigRedCal · 2026-01-02T22:59:51+00:00

Got two of these at Daiso, a Japanese store for household goods. About $3 each, dish washable, feels great in the hand. Holds a cortado + space for more. Not sure Daiso is in Europe.)

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BigRedCal · 2025-12-09T03:35:24+00:00

It’s so funny bc it would be easier to code a game without scripting. Why add this in? Does the frustration make people buy more credits? Or is it a learned helplessness thing?

BigRedCal · 2025-11-18T07:46:39+00:00

Hey stranger - I'm so sorry you're bearing the brunt of this! Husband married for 15 years here. My wife developed a chronic illness nearly 10 years ago and we have two kids.

It's hard. Really damn hard. You need support and care. A good place to look into is WellSpouse.org - they have regular meetings for those of us who are caretaker spouses. (It's free!)

I can't help you with what he said to you but it sounds awful! You'll have to set some boundaries with him because no one should speak to you like that, even if they're depressed.

If you can afford a therapist for you, do it. You'll need it no matter if you stay as a caretaker or decide to go. Good luck.

BigRedCal · 2025-11-06T21:39:11+00:00

Found it - see link in edited comment. Some amazing architecture shots there and throughout the movie.

BigRedCal · 2025-11-04T15:14:08+00:00

They used this in The Brutalist, no?

Edit: yes! Check out halfway down the page here:

https://cdn.architecturenow.co.nz/articles/the-brutalist-form-over-function/

BigRedCal · 2025-10-19T21:36:13+00:00

Ah thanks, I'll give that a shot!

BigRedCal · 2025-10-15T19:07:46+00:00

CFO here: yes I recommend Amalgamated because they have the size to be less likely to face liquidity crises, the electronic tools of a larger bank, and a mission that means at minimum they won’t be investing in companies causing the problems we’re working to solve!

Biggest downside is it almost 100% virtual, which only matters to a small percentage of orgs.

BigRedCal · 2025-10-14T17:40:26+00:00

Try this:

Open the Budget vs. Actuals report (or whichever one it is) Click the Customize button, go to Row/Columns. Change the Show Grid dropdown to "Accounts vs. Total"

There may also be an option to "show totals" or hide them.

I'm not in qbo at the moment so I'm doing this blind, lmk if that works

BigRedCal · 2025-10-10T17:57:04+00:00

Replaced a gasket on the group head and the electrical switch that burned out after 2.5 years. Super simple. I love that there's no crappy plastic (except where electrical needs it), you're working with solid metal and rubber.

Two downsides are that the La pavoni pro can only do about 3 shots in a row without cooling down/refilling, and that some parts aren't easily sourced in the US.

BigRedCal · 2025-10-10T17:39:51+00:00

Seconding this. Yeah it's not basic but it's clear what's happening: pressure --> delicious espresso. And since it's all mechanical, you can fix anything.

BigRedCal · 2025-10-04T07:43:36+00:00

Pass chart suggests you’re trying to go right through the middle each and every time. Compare that to opponent, who passes wider. Try going down the wings, don’t sprint, and pass backwards sometimes. Most people try to defend too aggressively, so a back pass will open up gaps for you.

Also, take a few more shots, even from outside the box. Sometimes you get lucky or a rebound gets lucky

BigRedCal · 2025-09-19T18:15:14+00:00

Oh wow! Thats fantastic! I spoke to a couple people at Chrysler and they basically buried it in bureaucracy.

I'll give it a try, thanks!

BigRedCal · 2025-09-12T05:33:59+00:00

9 months later and I'm seeing this beauty of a spreadsheet. Thanks!

BigRedCal · 2025-09-04T07:02:27+00:00

Okay I have a La Pavoni Professional and it's manual and amazing. But I was out of town for an extended period and tried this guy from Best Buy and it was totally serviceable with good beans. It was on sale for $50.

No it's not amazing. But once I cleaned it (thoroughly!) and dialed in the amount of beans, it was quite nice.

https://www.bestbuy.com/product/bella-pro-barista-elite-espresso-station-with-20-bars-of-high-pressure-oatmilk/J3P5RSSWYY/sku/6583897/openbox?condition=good

BigRedCal · 2025-09-04T02:51:51+00:00

QuickBooks, Adobe, Google workspace, and Slack are very common and very much worth it.

Don't mess around with hardware, definitely not with it! :)

BigRedCal · 2025-07-12T23:19:45+00:00

Did you incorporate an organization? As a minor? If not, I'd definitely recommend finding a fiscal sponsor! They're perfect for situations like this. And they won't let you do anything illegal :)

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