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What measures are in place to protect the investments of OTW members?
The OTW is a non-profit organization, subject to laws and regulations dictating its fiduciary responsibilities to conduct activities in a manner that upholds the public trust. The OTW is scrutinized not only by its members and fans outside the organization, but also by the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the State of Delaware, where we are incorporated. There are a number of additional safeguards in place. Volunteers with financial oversight are required to agree to a Conflict of Interest policy outlining their responsibilities to the OTW’s finances. Misuse of OTW funds would violate this policy and be grounds for removal from the organization as… Read more
How does the OTW protect donor information?
The OTW must collect certain information (such as name, address, etc.) from donors to comply with US financial regulations. Given the prevalence of fans using pseudonyms in their fannish life, this information will be held closely by the OTW and is only available to the OTW’s Treasurer and members of the Development and Membership committee. Completely anonymous donations can only be made in cash.
Who profits from the OTW?
In a fiscal sense, no one. The OTW is a non-profit organization, so any revenue the organization takes in goes to support the work the organization does. The OTW is entirely run by volunteers and does not currently have any paid staff.
How can I donate to the OTW? Can I donate if I live outside the United States?
The OTW is able to accept donations from all over the world via online donation or by mail. Refer to our donation form or our Donations and Membership FAQ for more information. If you have any questions about donating, contact the Development and Membership committee.
Who decides what the OTW spends money on?
The Board of Directors is ultimately responsible for the decision of how the OTW spends its money as part of their fiduciary obligation to the organization. The Treasurer is responsible for creating and implementing a budget which outlines how the OTW plans to spend money in a given year. The Board then reviews and votes on approving the budget. For unplanned expenditures that weren’t part of the year’s budget, they are reviewed by the Finance committee and the Treasurer and if they are over a certain monetary threshold, they will be individually voted on by the Board.