1. Comment #70256 by Socrates on September 14, 2007 at 3:35 pm

WOOT! Finally. I'm adding the Richard Dawkins Foundation to my list of favourite charities, along with UNICEF and Free the Children.

Is it too much to hope that this could change the world? We'll soon see.

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2. Comment #70257 by The_Stone on September 14, 2007 at 3:37 pm

Excellent!

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3. Comment #70259 by Joe_OD on September 14, 2007 at 3:40 pm

Congratulations!

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4. Comment #70260 by pete on September 14, 2007 at 3:43 pm

Yay!

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5. Comment #70261 by Northern Bright on September 14, 2007 at 3:44 pm

Fantastic news - congratulations!

Looking forward to finding out more about how we can support it (in addition to the obvious financial way, of course!)

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6. Comment #70262 by NotWithoutMyMonkey on September 14, 2007 at 3:46 pm

Funny, I'd just commented on charitable giving in the discussion below this one. Perhaps this might be a third to add to my list along with Medecins Sans Frontieres and WSPA.

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7. Comment #70263 by Devolution on September 14, 2007 at 3:49 pm

Awesome. Now we just have to work on taking away the tax exempt status of churches in the US, and treat them like the corporations they truly are.

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8. Comment #70264 by the_blur on September 14, 2007 at 3:51 pm

Does this mean I get a tax receipt for my monthly donation?

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9. Comment #70266 by konquererz on September 14, 2007 at 4:01 pm

Is it to much to think that atheists can actually change the world for the better? I hope so, I plan on giving to this charity as soon as I can.

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10. Comment #70268 by steve99 on September 14, 2007 at 4:07 pm

This is very good news. Congratulations.

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11. Comment #70269 by Philip1978 on September 14, 2007 at 4:16 pm

To quote from Blackadder

Permission to shout bravo at an annoyingly loud volume?

Philip

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12. Comment #70270 by kaiserkriss on September 14, 2007 at 4:29 pm

Try again..(after having one of my posts disappear on me on another thread)... WOOOO HOOOO!!
Now the same for Canada and the other Colonies in the English speaking world. jcw

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13. Comment #70271 by baal on September 14, 2007 at 4:29 pm

Wonderful! Congratulations! I'll look forward to donating very soon.

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14. Comment #70272 by _J_ on September 14, 2007 at 4:45 pm

Fantastic! Congratulations! :D

[Does a little dance, makes a little love, gets down tonight.]

Am happy.



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15. Comment #70273 by Smythe on September 14, 2007 at 4:46 pm

Congratulations, next stop Canada! (I hope)

Soon enough all of the 'religious people donate more than atheists' people will have to find another platitude to hide behind.

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16. Comment #70275 by Barbara on September 14, 2007 at 4:48 pm

Very good news! Congratulations!

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17. Comment #70276 by mcadamsdj on September 14, 2007 at 4:52 pm

Excellent! Can't wait to give ya'll some $$$!

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18. Comment #70285 by The_Stone on September 14, 2007 at 5:56 pm

Now I you can say "Take That!", and you wont have to pay taxes.

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19. Comment #70288 by Russell Blackford on September 14, 2007 at 6:11 pm

Great news!

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20. Comment #70290 by foxfire on September 14, 2007 at 6:14 pm

YAY!!! Now I gotta find out if I can deduct donations made this year in months before RDF received the tax exempt status. One wonders if RDF had been a (christian) "faith-based" non-political organization, that the tax-exempt process might have been much shorter and less expensive. Maybe the Feds need to check that RDF wasn't actually supporting some radical Al Queda cause (snicker).

!!!!YAY TO RDF!!!!

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21. Comment #70291 by thelivingbrian on September 14, 2007 at 6:18 pm

Congrats! I look forward to an updated RDF store.

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22. Comment #70292 by Mudskipper on September 14, 2007 at 6:23 pm

Congratulations to everyone who has worked so hard on this! Woot I say!! How long has this been in in progress? woot!!

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23. Comment #70294 by Kubenzi on September 14, 2007 at 6:47 pm

awesome

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24. Comment #70295 by Cregaune on September 14, 2007 at 7:00 pm

Gawd! (sorry). This really has the opportunity to put the cat among the pigeons! It's great to see that the RDF has managed to get charity status but, I'm sorry, this post is destined to turn into a rant.

I know I'm in danger of ruffling quite a few feathers here but there's nothing I can think of that's more likely to get my goat than the subject of charities. Depending on your perspective politically/economically, you may share my view that charities have a dubious role to play in any healthy society. The whole charity industry plays on emotions rather than practicality. If, and it's a big 'if', you agree that the purpose of a charity should be to alleviate human suffering, then one has to wonder why charities who specialise in sending children on holidays should necessarily attract more contributions than ones who specialise in helping people get off drugs or ...erm...um....help people to cast off the yoke of religion.

If there's a genuine need for extra monetary support for deprived children or furry animals, and that support justifies tax dollars/pounds, then let the government of the day contribute taxpayers' money directly to those causes rather than subsidising the hugely inefficient charity industry.

In the UK (as elsewhere) we have a charity industry that plays to the heart strings. We have mainstream TV shows (e.g. as I speak, 'Celebrity' Who Wants to be a Millionaire and Big Brother etc. etc.) where nine times out of ten the 'celebrity'-nominated charity involves children or cute furry animals.

I wish RDF nothing but success in the medium term, but wouldn't it be marvellous for those of us who despise the charity industry, if someone were to be wheeled out next week on 'Celebrity Who Wants to be a Millionaire' declaring their nominated charity to be the Richard Dawkins Foundation? The BBC/ITV switchboard would light up with complaints and then maybe the whole question of tax-exempt status for charities, in general, might raise its handsome head.

I live in hope!

Other Comments by Cregaune

25. Comment #70296 by Delphine on September 14, 2007 at 7:02 pm

Hooray! That is great news.

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26. Comment #70300 by flyingscot on September 14, 2007 at 7:45 pm

I am delighted to read this great news.

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27. Comment #70301 by MikeJ on September 14, 2007 at 7:57 pm

Very happy to hear this!

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28. Comment #70302 by br0k3nglass on September 14, 2007 at 8:10 pm

Most excellent news! A round of beers for all!

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29. Comment #70316 by Janus on September 14, 2007 at 11:24 pm

Great!

Can I donate even though I live in Canada?

My guess is I can, but I won't get tax returns or anything.

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30. Comment #70317 by homeopathic_koolaid on September 14, 2007 at 11:26 pm

Wonderful news, I read about it in the Phayrngula blog.

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31. Comment #70319 by John the Atheist on September 14, 2007 at 11:41 pm

I'm truly honored to put my money where Professor Dawkins' mouth is.

Honored.

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32. Comment #70321 by eXcommunicate on September 14, 2007 at 11:43 pm

How did I know someone (Cregaune) would come along and pee in our Wheaties? ;) Anyway, I think this is a good development. Just to let everyone know - applying for tax exempt status is not just as easy as filling out a few forms. Can't wait to see what comes of this! :)

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33. Comment #70322 by Flagellant on September 14, 2007 at 11:43 pm

This is excellent news. My hazy understanding about UK charity tax law is that an organisation undertaking 'political' activity cannot have charitable status. Watch out for the resulting opposing campaign, not necessarily 'charitable', (lol) to have both RD Foundations declared 'political', as well as 'nasty to god.'

I'm sure that this has been thoroughly examined, though. It would be tragic to find that, as a result of having achieved charitable status, there was some restriction on religion- , religiosi- , and faith- bashing.



Religion - an activity for consenting adults in private

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34. Comment #70323 by JohnnieCanuck on September 15, 2007 at 12:02 am

Janus, as a Canadian taxpayer, if you have any income that is taxed in the States, you can apply the donation against that.

For example, owning dividend paying shares in a US company will do it.

It is all done on your Canadian return. The tax programs like QuickTax know how to do it.

Other Comments by JohnnieCanuck

35. Comment #70328 by Robert Maynard on September 15, 2007 at 12:54 am

Faaaantastic.

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36. Comment #70331 by acidhouser on September 15, 2007 at 1:25 am

Congratulations! What a great start to the weekend.

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37. Comment #70333 by Logicel on September 15, 2007 at 1:29 am

Splendid, marvelous, terrific news! Though many charities leave me cold, the mission statement for this one, emphasizing education, research, and promotion of science does not. This is an idea whose time has come.

Congrats to all who worked hard at getting charitable status approval.

Other Comments by Logicel

38. Comment #70338 by Hugo on September 15, 2007 at 1:35 am

Great news to start the weekend!
I hope it will be a beacon of reason in the world!

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39. Comment #70341 by Moridin on September 15, 2007 at 1:50 am

Congratulations and thank you for the hard work. One small step for RDF, one giant leap for mankind.

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40. Comment #70345 by pauliej on September 15, 2007 at 2:31 am

Hurray! Congratulations! And well done to those involved!

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41. Comment #70346 by hammersteen on September 15, 2007 at 2:38 am

A seriously important step forward and a responsibility to be handled with care. I am confident it will.

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42. Comment #70356 by elfinabout on September 15, 2007 at 3:44 am

Fantastic, heartwarming, inspiring news - congratulations to Richard and all involved! :o)

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43. Comment #70360 by Darwin's badger on September 15, 2007 at 4:10 am

Grat news - congratulations!

Oh, and Philip? Permission granted. :)

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44. Comment #70364 by Prufrock on September 15, 2007 at 4:43 am

Excellent news, at last recognition of the worthiness of the need to spread reason, science, education - sanity.

Cregaune:

We have to play in the game we are in and not the game we would like to be in. Charities are about ensuring good causes can flourish and this seems like recognition that this is a good cause - it certainly needs to flourish.

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45. Comment #70367 by Darwin's badger on September 15, 2007 at 5:27 am

Of course, I meant great news. *shuffles off in embarrassment*

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46. Comment #70371 by charlieallery on September 15, 2007 at 5:47 am

Excellent news. Congratulations!

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47. Comment #70373 by VanYoungman on September 15, 2007 at 6:29 am

Agreed. Well said Prufrock.

Now we have to come up with some creative ideas how to send this wonderful foundation money. e.g. when Veronique or Norther Bright come up with one of their gems, someone responds "That's a $10.00 idea!" and then all of us who agree go to Pay Pal and send 10 bucks to the foundation. This will encourage people to send in great ideas while raising thousands for the Foundation.

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48. Comment #70377 by toomanytribbles on September 15, 2007 at 6:42 am

congratulations. this is hopeful news.

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49. Comment #70404 by kev_s on September 15, 2007 at 10:49 am

Very good news.

Cregaune: while I agree with much of your post, "they" gets lots of tax breaks and have load of money to push "their" agenda.
Charity status for richarddawkins.net is a small step to level the playing field.

VanYoungman: Nice idea, but surely the contributors here do not need a money incentive to do it. Best anyone using this site can do is fill out a direct-debit/standing order with as much as you can afford so there is a constant, reliable source of income to fund whatever initiatives need funding.

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50. Comment #70412 by BigJohn on September 15, 2007 at 11:40 am

Holy crap, Cregaune, if you think for a moment that the government, any government, can do a better job at charity, or anything else besides starting wars, than private companies, you need to check your facts. Governments are the epitome of inefficiency. Not only that, they take my hard earned money and give it to charities that I do not want to support, like christian churches, for example.

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