Center for the Study of Intelligence and Wisdom
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Budget, Timeline, and Essential Parameters
We seek to raise $5.5 million in cash and in-kind contributions to endow our Center for the Study of Intelligence and Wisdom.
We have in pledge today $1 million of in-kind contributions key to success of our endeavor, contingent on raising the remaining $4.5 million in income-generating cash. We have some funds in hand for set up expenses, and will move beyond restricted funds and contingent contributions before committing pledged donations.
We seek to generate a sustainable cash flow of $250,000/year after start-up expenses to support the following annual budget. This can be accomplished by simple interest from conservative investments if the sums above are acquired and consolidated, and larger returns may be available from socially responsible investment funds. We would like to invest in those for many reasons.
Sample Operating Budget, by percentage and based on a $250,000 top line:
| 25% | $62,500 | Associate Director, salary, and all tax and benefit costs |
| 25% | $62,500 | support for paid student interns* and public programming (* e.g. 4 fellowships @ $12.5k/yr. and 5 stipends @ $2.5k/project) |
| 12.5% | $31,250 | sponsor an annual conference on "Intelligence and Wisdom" |
| 17.5% | $43,750 | video production and distribution |
| 10% | $25,000 | facility rental, 2 phone lines, computers & ISP, office supplies |
| 10% | $25,000 | travel to international conferences and web support |
| $250,000 | total annual budget, all covered by endowed earnings |
Timeline: All funds should be secured not later than July 1, 2008. We have never "deficit spent" and do not intend to begin now.
We have also avoided the trap of endless fundraising for 25 years by being very strict about keeping that activity subordinate to mission (<10% of time & effort).
Editorial Control: Will not be surrendered to any funder or institution. Independence is quite essential for "honest brokers." We intend to be honest brokers between the official intelligence worlds and the domains of social transformers.
Compensation: The executive director of the Center and all Ground Zero board members must serve without any paid compensation by policy of the founding director and board. The purpose of that is to preserve focus on mission.
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