501(c)(3) Update

Today is the day!!!!!!!!!
We will be submitting our IRS form 1023 for tax exempt recognition or 501(c)(3) status... TODAY.
Hurrah for the wildlife, here we come. I feel like a gallant knight off to the rescue.
Now on to the next hurdles of fundraising, initial website development, and the validation tour of South African conservation projects.
THANKS Y'ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Russ

I snapped this of Russ working on the 1023 app!

Hunting Leopard - BBC Story

Half of the large mammals in South African Game parks are gone!

This is sad news, however, together we can help.

Please do 3 things now:
1. Share this with your friends on Social Media like Face Book and Twitter (use 'Share' links on the right)
2. Follow us on Twitter @Nikela_Wildlife
3. Become a fan on Face Book 

READ - Half of the large mammals in South African Game parks are gone!

Getting Connected with You

With the World Cup shoving South Africa on the global stage our Twitter followers have sky rocketed this past week.  Going from a mere 6 to closing in on 100, thanks to Michael Butler, a Social Media Strategist with M3 New Media. 
Today we talk to our third web design and development company in our search for nonprofit pricing yet a website with the capability of serving our envisioned global community of wildlife lovers.   Know a good web developer?  Please send me their contact information.

Whistle While We Work!!!

It is exciting to see things progressing here at Nikela. After spending many weeks slogging through the legal, ethical, IRS, State, and business matters at hand, it is great to be talking to real people about real problems and finding real solutions. Thanks to all who are helping to bring this charity forward.
The web site and tour of South African opportunities are the next big projects. Each will cost between $12,000 to $15,000 and need to be accomplished this year. We are pursuing many options but if you have any ideas of who to approach for these funds we would appreciated it. Mostly they are those who have a special place in their hearts for South Africa and its wildlife and children.
Thanks
Russ Harris

Zooming Along...

Here we are at the end of June!
What we've accomplished to date:
- 501(c)(3) application
    - In its second review with our CPA
    - Legal counsel found for a final "once over"

- Business Plan

    - Met with SCORE counselor
    - Written Plan progressing nicely
    - Fussing and discussing over the details with Russ

- Finding those GIVERS

- Qualifying the RECEIVERS
    - Finally found way to create a fillable AND savable PDF form for the application
    - Three conservation efforts waiting for the application

- Merchant Services lined up 

- Website design meeting with TradeMark Media next week
- Social Media

    - Getting comfortable with Twitter

    - Making new connections via LinkedIn
    - Got Russ started with LinkedIn

Goals for next month:
- Submit 501(c)(3) application
- Complete Business Plan
- First Serious Fundraising
- Outline and book trip to South Africa

Take a look... Do what you can to help.

Sad photos of the living tragedy of the oil spill. My hat off to the countless men and women who are giving it their all to save the birds and their habitat.
See the photos...
Scenes from the Gulf of Mexico - The Big Picture - Boston.com