10 votes

Topic deleted by author

6 comments

  1. [3]
    Bauke
    Link
    @Deimos, did you have the same experience setting up Spectria?

    In the United States, people look at you funny if you tell them you are starting a non-profit.

    "Don’t you want to to get rich?" they ask.

    Even the bank employee indicated this was an unusual process, setting up an account for a non-profit. She had to call her manager in several times to help figure out the system.

    @Deimos, did you have the same experience setting up Spectria?

    6 votes
    1. Deimos
      Link Parent
      I don't remember running into anything like that, though I did all my incorporation and other initial setup through a law firm that specifically does a lot of non-profit work, so they were...

      I don't remember running into anything like that, though I did all my incorporation and other initial setup through a law firm that specifically does a lot of non-profit work, so they were definitely used to it. Setting up a bank account ended up being a bit of a long, convoluted process for a few reasons, but I don't remember them ever being judgmental about it or having trouble doing it.

      I've definitely found that it's important to ask specifically whether they have experience with non-profits when talking to any kind of "business service" (e.g. accountants, lawyers) because it seems relatively uncommon. I'd rather know that they've handled non-profits before vs. getting a response like, "well... no... but I'm sure we can figure it out."

      6 votes
    2. pallas
      Link Parent
      We founded a non-profit in the US some time ago, and this was certainly not our experience at all. Maybe it was specific to their bank's focus and the community they were around?

      We founded a non-profit in the US some time ago, and this was certainly not our experience at all. Maybe it was specific to their bank's focus and the community they were around?

      1 vote
  2. [3]
    Omnicrola
    Link
    I've never heard of this language, and will probably never use it. But I agree whole heatedly with this statement:

    I've never heard of this language, and will probably never use it. But I agree whole heatedly with this statement:

    At the end of the day, it is an inescapable fact that you must do what makes a profit, for the shareholders.
    The difference in incentives makes a structural difference that permeates every part of an organization.

    5 votes
    1. bloup
      Link Parent
      Somewhat reminds me of https://blog.tildes.net/announcing-tildes This is why I criticize capitalism. It’s not impossible for a capitalist business to do good things, it’s just that with any other...

      Somewhat reminds me of https://blog.tildes.net/announcing-tildes

      This is why I criticize capitalism. It’s not impossible for a capitalist business to do good things, it’s just that with any other economic agent you should never expect the agent to betray its own interests, and there are so many examples where in order for a business to do “the right thing”, they would have to betray their primary interest (profit).

      It’s all about the incentives!

      5 votes
    2. skybrian
      Link Parent
      Note that he was comparing to a VC backed business. If you're the sole owner of the business, you can do what you like, for-profit or not. Given that someone running a not-for-profit can still pay...

      Note that he was comparing to a VC backed business. If you're the sole owner of the business, you can do what you like, for-profit or not.

      Given that someone running a not-for-profit can still pay themselves whatever salary seems appropriate, I am not sure that the incentives are truly different? More revenue means you earn more, either way. Being able to accept tax-deductible donations should be useful, though.