Donating “to 5WF, for 5WF” …

What does that mean?

Well, it is exactly what it sounds like. As any nonprofit organization, we have operational costs from which we are unable to escape … although in our case, these costs may be slightly different from our counterparts.

As a core tenant to our nonprofit, wherever possible we seek to secure donated or Pro Bono services or products for the cause. However, in cases where this is not possible, or is not permitted, we must pay.

Through your generous donations “to 5WF, for 5WF” you are helping support us to function at the basic level.

To begin, as strange as this may sound, we’d like to make it clear to all our donors what you are not contributing to support.

You are not donating to support:

• Large salaries – we don’t have any, we are all unsalaried volunteers, including our Board!
• Large or multiple offices – we don’t have any, we are remote working and only have a small office in Amsterdam.
• Tax – we are tax-exempt, however we do have to engage accountants and auditors to ensure compliance with regulatory authorities.
• Any of the equipment or services we provide for the species – this is where 100% of funds generously donated to a species are spent on that species.
• Jollies, retreats, and corporate jets! – 5WF is a fantastic place to work, but there are limits!

However, your generosity does help us with:

• Rent for a small office in Amsterdam, with occasional shared co-working and meeting space.
• Utilities. Not so much the standard utilities, but the internet connections and remote worker electricity where we are not entirely solar yet.
• Outside specialist communication and marketing expertise for fundraising.
• IT infrastructure – essential software we are unable to secure by donation or discount, hosting fees, licenses, computers and communications equipment which we are unable to secure by donation.
• Office supplies – although small because we are remote working and paperless.
• Insurance – specialist insurances, professional and public liability insurances.
• Accounting and auditing services – hiring accountants or auditors to comply with Dutch laws regarding nonprofit financial reporting and transparency.
• Banking and finance costs.
• Legal fees – such as for taxes, compliance, permits, and licenses.
• Fieldwork planning, research and assessment; especially where external scientific expert input is required.
• Field staff and volunteer recruitment and training; especially for remote locations.