Slog - Comments on Foolproof: Dead and Gone http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/foolproof_is_dead_and_gone Foolproof, the decade-old nonprofit that presented speakers and comedians (including Bill Clinton and Sarah Vowell) and sponsored forums at Town Hall, has folded. Board president Sheryl Harmon said financial problems stemmed from overreaching in programming (bringing high-priced speakers like Garrison Keillor to high-priced venues like Benaroya Hall and the Paramount), a long-term $300,000 deficit, and trouble with the IRS. Of the first, Harmon said: "There were errors—when you're throwing that kind of money into speaker fees and programming costs, there's nothing left over for marketing or anything." The result was expensive, under-attended evenings. Of the second and third, Harmon said... Copyright 2008 Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:12:25 -0800 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 16:54:52 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by ticket holder I am a ticket holder to two $75 events. After a discussion with Town Hall, I was sent a letter from Ms. Harmon to take a tax deduction but I would rather have my $150.00.

Foolproof was a great idea and was implemented well until their difficulties. I wish we could raise the funds and bring back a 2.0 version.

]]> ticket holder http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/foolproof_is_dead_and_gone#c776624 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/foolproof_is_dead_and_gone#c776624 News Tue, 07 Aug 2007 13:32:26 -0800 Comment by Supporter I think Foolproof really did a disservice to their supporters by keeping all this so hush-hush. I suspect ass-covering was more important than 'dignity'. Glad I raised the question yesterday about 'whatever happened to Foolproof'. Now we know. Thanks, Brendan. You seem to have more confidence in the community than the Foolproof board did.

]]> Supporter http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/foolproof_is_dead_and_gone#c777015 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/foolproof_is_dead_and_gone#c777015 News Tue, 07 Aug 2007 21:11:24 -0800 Comment by um Are you kidding? Would YOU send a press release if the IRS was after you?

]]> um http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/foolproof_is_dead_and_gone#c777071 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/foolproof_is_dead_and_gone#c777071 News Tue, 07 Aug 2007 23:00:24 -0800 Comment by Supporter I'm an officer and boardmember of a non-profit and, if we were to be disbanding, we would certainly proactively explain why to the public and, in particular, to our members. And, from the looks of it, Foolproof's issues with the IRS wound up being fairly minor. The other issues appear to have had the fatal impact. I think it's a good cautionary tale for any other group who looks to fill the hole left by Foolproof's demise.

]]> Supporter http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/foolproof_is_dead_and_gone#c777240 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/foolproof_is_dead_and_gone#c777240 News Wed, 08 Aug 2007 08:45:57 -0800 Comment by bobby That's too bad. I enjoyed their speakers.

]]> bobby http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/foolproof_is_dead_and_gone#c777908 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/foolproof_is_dead_and_gone#c777908 News Wed, 08 Aug 2007 16:54:52 -0800