21st Century Non-Profits

Perhaps you're growing tired of receiving merely "intangible religious benefits" you get for the donations you make to your religious organization. Perhaps you feel the tax deduction alone is not worth it.

You're a 21st century consumer, darn it, and the warm fuzzy you used to get from dropping some coin in the Salvation Army bucket just doesn't cut it anymore. Your dollar demands more.

If that's the case, you need to check out the California State Protocol Foundation (CSPF). As the non-profit organization that helps fund the California governor's overseas trips, you can help him maintain the lifestyle he enjoyed as a Hollywood movie star, before the vow of poverty Californians forced on him as a public official.

In addition to your tax-deduction and increased inner peace, you can feel secure in the knowledge that your contribution will be entirely discreet, as non-profits are not required to disclose their donors. Your gift will be entirely between you, the governor, and your god.

Plus, you "might" (wink, wink!) be able to "meet" (access) him personally if the governor's schedule permits (if your gift is big enough). This would be the perfect time to share your thoughts on how the state allocates contracts, grants, and other financial benefits.

This donation is also beneficial to the Californian taxpayers, as it relieves them of the burden of paying for the governor's travel expenses abroad. Of course, it also means the state treasury will never have seen the money in the first place, and that there's less accountability, but why should you cede control over your money to bureaucrats whan you already know exactly how you want to spend it?

Since 2003 the governor has refused his salary of $206,500. How has he been getting by? In its generosity, the CSPF has made over $3 million in donations. ¹ Can you say you're doing your part?

*****

For more details, check out AP reporter Steve Lawrence's article from the September 30, 2007 Redding, "All expenses paid: Funding for leaders' trips questioned."