[DIYbio] Re: [biocurious] Important Update from Kristina

Hi everyone,

The situation with Biocurious is different from my own non-profit, but there are enough similarities that I think it might be of general interest if I posted them here.

 

In 2004 I started a non-profit to handle my own biotech interests.  I was completely inexperienced on what it takes to run (and fund) one.  Since I had numerous people that seemed very interested, and the web was full of ways that non-profits raise money, I assumed everything would come together and work out.  Of course, it didn't.  I spent the next two years trying to stir up people's interest enough to get things done as a collaborative effort. Nope. I also spent that time trying every method I could find to get funding.  Minor successes, but in the long run, nope.  I found it was easier to get a little funding for new projects but nothing that was already underway, and certainly nothing for general operating expenses.

 

After two years, I made some decisions. 

 

1) No one gets to "help" unless they convince me that they will carry through, and also that they have a demonstrated history of getting things done.  For this they get their projects worked on.  I now have only six people, but they are very involved and have their own motivations and their own rewards.

 

2) I set up two outside companies whose sole purpose was to generate income for the non-profit, to use as I see fit.  The companies have abosolutely nothing to do with biotechnology, or even science. I don't need to report to anyone (except the IRS), and I can change my mind about priorities whenever I want to.    This decision was the best I ever made.  Plenty of cash now, and I haven't asked for, or needed, a donation for several years.  It takes some time to run the silly companies, but not nearly as much as I used to spend writing applications for tiny grants.

 

Anyway, I see the story of Biocurious and I get it, really, I've been there. Funding issues can be very trying, and attempting to motivate people when they didn't show up with their own motivation can be worse.  My advice would be to expand only as much as you have (good) people to tend to things, and look for more stable long-term sources of money if if they are unrelated.  I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

 

Stacy