Press Release: Exopolitics Institute gains 501(c)(3) tax exempt status
March 27, 2007
[Kealakekua,
HI] I'm delighted to announce thant t the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has formally
approved the 501(c)3 application for the Exopolitics Institute. The IRS has classified
the Institute as a public charity. The IRS letter is available online at: http://www.exopoliticsinstitute.org/IRS-Ruling.pdf
. There are a number of benefits stemming from this favorable ruling and I'd
like to spend a little time elaborating on each of these and their significance
for those doing exopolitics research.
First, the ruling means that all
contributions to the Institute are tax exempt. This will be an incentive for individual
donors who support the Institute's goals to come forward and make significant
contributions. While it is common for individuals to make large contributions
in support of political campaigns without gaining tax exemption, it is uncommon
for large contributions to be given to non-profit organizations that do not have
tax exemption status. From experience, potential donors don't take a non-profit
organization seriously until it has 501(c)3 status. The IRS ruling helps the Institute
overcome this barrier so we can seek support by those with the necessary vision
and funds to support the Institute's goals.
Second, and most importantly,
individuals can now apply for grants from a number of large private foundations
to fund various projects that have exopolitics significance. We have a number
of very talented individuals in the Institute doing pioneering exopolitics research
and/or education and/or public advocacy that has important public policy implications.
We can now, for example, approach private foundations supporting greater government
accountability and transparency to fund exopolitics research into various project
such as classified documents dealing with extraterrestrial life/UFOs, suppressing
knowledge of advanced civilizations, and/or the suppression of whistleblower testimony.
Alternatively, we can approach foundations interested in promoting world peace
to constitute round table discussions on important policy questions concerning
extraterrestrial life and the development of space weapons, etc. Also, we could
approach foundations interested in alternative energy to support projects concerning
extraterrestrial technologies hidden from the public,
Success in gaining
grants from large foundations comes from persistence and having clearly defined
goals, research methods, the right personnel, and an institutional home that can
support projects. With 501c3 status, the Institute is now in a position to offer
institutional support for those desiring to get foundation grants and requiring
an institutional home. Applying for private grants is time consuming. Collaboration
with those who have experience in writing grant applications is essential. I have
had some success in the past with raising grants from the private foundations
and will be happy to assist anyone thinking of a project that they would like
to find a grant for. I recommend members of the Institute to seriously consider
the benefits of developing project proposals and sending these off to various
private foundations. Public perceptions are shifting and with it the chances of
getting significant funding for worthy exopolitics projects grows.
Finally,
much of the struggle we all face in exopolitics research is a public perception
issues. 501(c)3 status shows that an independent government agency considers the
Institute a bona fide non-profit educational organization. This will help others
take the Institute more seriously as an organization that can contribute to informed
public debate and education on extraterrestrial life. For example, the fact that
one or more grants officers will have to evaluate any project proposal from the
Exopolitics Institute will help educate professionals about the serious exopolitics
issues that need to be addressed.
I thank all those that have supported
the Institute in its foundation and continued growth, and assisted in various
projects, promoting conferences, supporting the Exopolitics Journal, and participating
in the certification program. I especially thank those that have donated funds
or joined as Institute members. Your memberships support myself and others involved
in establishing the Institute as a center for exopolitics research and activism.
I look forward to the future opportunities collaboration will create
as the Institute establishes itself as a 501(c)3 organization tackling serious
public policy issues concerning exopolitics.
Aloha,
Michael Salla,
Ph.D
Founder, Exopolitics Institute
www.exopoliticsinstitute.org
