"I'm what the world considers to be a phenomenally successful man. And I've failed much more than I've succeeded. And each time I fail, I get my people together, and I say, "Where are we going?" And it starts to get better." - Calvin Trager
Saturday, August 21, 2004 Did you know that it costs $45 to do a wire transfer of money overseas?
Well, I didn't ... but it does (at least through Bank of America) ... so I'm having to rethink my idea of just providing people who want to donate to All Souls Episcopal Church and Child Development Center in Buduburam with the account information and have them do a wire transfer! I was going to send them $50 to test the system, but the nearly 50% going to bank fees kind of dissuaded me there.
Next step is seeing if we can set up an account with the diocese (or barring that, with a parish) where we can collect money and then wire it over when we have enough that it makes it economical to do so. Here's the question I need to get an answer to from someone who knows nonprofit tax law. Can people give money to a nonprofit in America (like a church) and get the tax deduction and then have the church turn around and send it to a related church overseas? It seems to me ... especially since they are both Episcopal churches and since the Liberian Episcopal Church is in close relationship with the American Episcopal Church, that this wouldn't be illegal in any money-laundering sort of way.
It certainly SHOULD be legal ... but since when is tax code about what SHOULD be legal! Anyway, if you've got any insight into this, please comment away. On Monday, I'm going to try to find out if anyone at the national church office has a clue on this one (and also call the guy who does my taxes ... two years and no audits ... must know something about clergy taxes!)
Oh, if you haven't already, go to Nicole's blog and read about her "fish with a death wish" nearly ending itself by leaping down a drain. It's a great read ... especially if you know and love Nicole!
| Mike at 8/21/2004 08:52:00 PM
EGR resources and connects the church to embrace what one person, one congregation, one diocese and one church can do to make this mission of global reconciliation happen.
Want to find out more ... check our our website at www.e4gr.org.
"Christ's example is being
demeaned by the church if they ignore the new leprosy,
which is AIDS. The church is the sleeping giant here.
If it wakes up to what's really going on in the rest
of the world, it has a real role to play. If it doesn't,
it will be irrelevant."
- Bono
Episcopalians for 
