...such comments by TIGHAR that "we won't go hat-in-hand to deep pockets attached to big egos" does not help the cause as some people would consider those comments offensive. If TIGHAR is as under funded as they say, then perhaps a well organized fund raising approach to viable investors is in order.
Thank you for your advice. Perhaps your experience as a fund raiser has been different from mine. I've been the principal fund raiser for this organization for 26 years. I won't say that it has been easy and I don't think I've been very good at it. There has never been as much money as we've really needed to do everything we've wanted to do. But I can assure you that I've mounted countless well organized fund raising approaches to viable contributors (we can't solicit "investors"). I've made the mistake of accepting big donations from deep pockets with big egos. I can show you the scars. And yes, I've offended people and will undoubtedly do so again. Perhaps I have offended you. But I've found the money for ten trips to Nikumaroro without surrendering control of the organization or the project. It is my hope and intention to do so again.
I have not been offended. I am just making observations on what I see. It is just not good business policy to go around offending people that you do not really know and who could possibly benefit your endeavors.
You obviously have had success in funding the ten trips that you have made to Nikumaroro and the evidence that you have collected is very good. It is certainly not easy to organize and carry out an expedition to some remote island in the ocean as you have done ten times.
It appears that more funding would have allowed the expeditions more suitable transportation to the island and once there, faster transportation of the work parties in and around the work sites. The impression that I get from the photos and videos is that a large amount of time and energy was spend riding in motor boats and hiking with lunch boxes and equipment to and from work sites. Helicopter transportation would be very advantageous.
You should not be overly concerned about surrendering control of your organization. TIGHAR is a
registered corporation in the State of Delaware. Enter file number 2053299 to see details. The registered agent listed is Richard E. Gillespie which is you of course. Unless you decide to change the charter, then you will remain in control.
As a non profit corporation, you are allowed to receive grants and donations. Investors cannot be taken on in the traditional sense because you do not sell stock and have shareholders, however, investors can participate in a non equity basis. All donations to a non profit are tax deductible. I am sure that you already know all of this, just my observations.