The Fandom Fund

[highd.livejournal.com]

This has been on my mind since Across the Pond needed donations a few months ago.

I have been thinking about starting a Fandom Fund. An organization that would be there with not only funds but information to help fans that run sites dedicated to their chosen fandom. I am thinking about using our fandom as a pilot program, then spreading out as people find out about the fund.

Over the last few years a few of the QAF fan fic sites have had to reach out to the fans for help to keep our archives alive. It's been awesome seeing us come together in this way. I was also thinking about other fandoms and if they had these issues sometimes, and that we all could benefit by having an organization to go for help. So I was wondering if anyone would be interested in helping with this project.

I don't think a lot of help will be needed at first, but let me be honest help is always good to have. Knowing it's a fandom effort would make it an even stronger force for help. I can generate the Pay Pal link myself and create the community, some graphic help would be great. I am concerned about some issues such as the law behind donations, taxes and how to distribute the money, even though I am just starting out with QAF donations philosophy needs to be taken seriously.

If someone is donating from the Buffy fandom do we make sure those funds go to specific Buffy projects? Do we do the same if someone from the QAF community donates? Or do I set up the fund to collect donations into a big pile and divvy it up as requests come in? Those two paths are very different, and I would want to get that question answered first.

I love Queer as Folk and it's fandom so much.  I also know that people in our fandom fan other things just as hard, if that is possible :)  If you would like to help or think that this is a good idea please comment here.

If you have suggestions or would like to contact me through PM feel free.

I would like to thank the mods of this site for allowing this post! Thanks guys.

Comments

[vlredreign.livejournal.com]

While the hosting bit is somewhat true, it doesn't explain why sites such as Skyehawke, The Silver Snitch, The Hex Files/HP Fandom, Forever Fandom, and Adult Fan Fiction dot net have ginormous archives that have NC-17 fics posted. It seems to me that the issue has to do with people outside the US trying to host sites. I know for a fact that the old PSA (Potter-Snape Archives) site was taken down and switched over to a US maintainer because the original maintainer was in Australia, and had to remove it when they re-instituted the Blue Laws.

[netlagd.livejournal.com]

I can't really speak to other fan fic sites, I'm only following QAF, and we know what's been happening with our archive sites.

Hosting sites are virtual for the most part - the actual data centers can reside if countries other than where the hosting company manages the site - thus is the way of the world.

Regarding the Australian example - mileage varies from hosting company to hosting company. Quite frankly, I'm betting that they are probably not worrying much about a fan fic archive and are likely to turn their head. That is until someone kicks up a fuss and management has to oil the squeaky wheel, or otherwise contend with what might be perceived as bad publicity or something that may threaten their business.