Funding the Project
Pre – Launch
You have been invited to critique and to test drive our prototype website milestonesinbdmscotland.co.uk while it is in its final stages of development prior to it’s launch (as milestonesscotland.co.uk.) Be assured on two scores: that you incur no charges with us, and that your co-operation and comments will be appreciated.
If you are responding to an email from us you should know that yours is an email address we have had from a Milestones supporter. One given to us in response to a request for ‘ trusted friends,’ known or believed to be involved in family research, who might be curious about our Milestones project and attracted to investigate it. Perhaps even to test drive the site by registering a Brief Profile.
If you are intrigued, read on and please use the site confident that no fees or charges are sought. If it does not appeal, you are free to pass your invitation on to someone you think might find it of interest – and please accept our apologies for bothering you.
While not conceived to make a profit the project must generate income sufficient to cover the costs of setting up and running the website and offering payment to those presently volunteering.
Post – Launch
Our plans for the long term funding of the project will be influenced by the vews expressed by trusted friends and others.
Advertising. We have approached a number of organisations to point out the potential value of Milestones to them. Responses have been lukewarm, understandably. As the site expands, however, we are confident that some will come to recognise what Milestones can offer to them, to their members, staff, shareholders. We are confident that the site, once established, will become attractive to a range of niche advertisers. See FAQ, Funding the Project.
Our policy will be to keep advertising discreet.
We will hope for and look to Patrons to fund improvements to our services suggested by them or customers. See FAQ, Services.
Supporters. A belief in Milestones Objectives is shared by those involved in setting up and running the project. Some of these supporters have provided modest loans and occasional donations; others have become become sustainers. It is not esssential to be a customer of the site to make a donation.
Donations. In the registration forms which customers complete there is an option, not an obligation, to donate. Figures from £5 to £50 are suggested. A similar form is available for individuals and to organisations who support our objectives.
Given that there is no charge for entries we will encourage donations in recognition of help from our team. Particularly when it comes to Enhancing the Profile where a moderator has assisted a customer with a lengthy Eulogy or Obituary or where the wording of an Appreciation has had to be agreed.
Sustainers. We have adapted and adopted the novel idea of sustaining the website. Sustaining might be a temporary expedient if, as we trust, once well-established, the site attracts niche advertisers. Sustainers, customers of the site or simply supporters, are invited to make a regular annual payment to help maintain the site. We will encourage customers to offer an annual sustaining donation on a significant date of their choice. Our founding partners and supporters are all sustainers.
Good Causes. Ever-optimistic we have made plans for the sharing of any profit in excess of running costs to be shared with Good Causes. See FAQ.