Making CGA financially self-sufficient

[Tek7 (Legacy)]

Here's an idea I've been pondering for a few months: I'd like to make the Christian Gamers Alliance financially self-sufficient. This means that CGA would set up a small "business" (I use the term loosely) to help cover all expenses (web hosting, domain renewal, and vBulletin licensing).

Here's one idea: We start a CafePress or similar type of store, community members create and submit graphics, and all profits from store sales go to cover CGA expenses.

I also thought of introducing Google AdSense ads to the forums, but would rather go with a less conventional way of raising funds.

Does anyone else have ideas for how we could raise funds for CGA without having to ask for donations or put advertising on our forums?

 

[Atown]

cafepress is a good idea, abd should be implemented but it wont be a consistant (i.e. if everyone buys a shirt theres no reason to buy a 2nd) but that will help. for another one i guess we could.... sponsers? like we play games for microsoft and they give us money?

 

[Pilgrim]

Why would Microsoft pay us to play games? I'm pretty sure it's the other way around.

 

[Dark Virtue]

Cafe Press is definately a good idea.

I have a storefront set up if you want to take a look:

http://www.cafepress.com/darkvirtue

 

[Pilgrim]

lol, when I went to it Cafe Press was down for maintenance. Cafe Press would be a good idea, but I agree with what Atown said.

 

[theapoc]

This would be a good place to ask a question that has been on my mind.


Could the act of donating to a Christ based organization (one which you know Christ is working in)a way of tithing?

 

[TheJfreak]

Tek7 believes if i remember CGA is a ministry and all tithes should go to your local church and donating to CGA would be more of a Donation

 

[Dark Virtue]

Amazon.com also has an associate program:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html/ref=gw1_mm_2/104-3447862-6373528/?node=3435371

1. Associates drive internet traffic to Amazon.com through specially formatted links that allow us to track sales and other activity.
2. Associates earn up to 10% in referral fees on all qualifying revenue made through their links.
3. We send quarterly payment to Associates.

 

[SirThom]

Amazon.com also has an associate program:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html/ref=gw1_mm_2/104-3447862-6373528/?node=3435371

CGA already has an Associates account at Amazon. You can see it in action at a banner atop the main website.

 

[Dark Virtue]

I don't see any banner ads in the forum section, any reason there aren't any?

 

[[toj.cc]WildBillKickoff]

This would be a good place to ask a question that has been on my mind.


Could the act of donating to a Christ based organization (one which you know Christ is working in)a way of tithing?

Apoc, giving to CGA/ToJ would be more of an offering than a tithe-- something you do in addition to your normal tithe.

 

[SirThom]

They aren't integrated with the forums. Adding the amazon banner into the forums requires code modification of the files that make up vbulletin. We would loose our tech support and updates..something we are not willing to do.

We'd give up tech support and upgrades if we modify the look of the site? Sounds fishy to me.