[hackerspaces] will the fruits of our labors be used for good or for evil?

[Al Jigen Billings]

On 11/29/11 11:00 PM, Justis Peters wrote:
> On 11/30/2011 01:45 AM, Volatile Compound wrote:
>> Also true, but again it all comes back to terms of acceptance.  It's 
>> just as easy for the person writing the cheque to say, "nope, not 
>> going to agree to that" and withhold the funds until the clause in 
>> question is modified to their liking or removed. 
> This is an excellent reason to maintain your own ability to say "no".
>
> AFAICT, none of us need these funds, except perhaps to fund projects 
> that are larger than we would otherwise accomplish. Therefore, we can 
> choose to accept external funding only when it is a win-win where we 
> are comfortable with the terms. Until that opportunity presents 
> itself, we are happy doing creative hacks with the funds from member 
> dues and individual contributions.
>
> Think big, hack on what's in front of you, and buy your tools with 
> cash :)

I would point out that it is possible to solicit donations. I know of 
Hackerspaces that have been donated money and tools by Microsoft and 
Google, to name two corporations. These donations had no strings attached.

  My own hackerspace is finishing up our 501c3 (it is mid-process right 
now) and we plan to solicit donations from anyone willing to give us 
money for a tax write-off. You aren't limited to what you have on hand. 
Many companies, for example, will match funds donated by employees to 
federal nonprofits.

  Al