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No progress – February pledges to charity
🕑 Added 2022-03-23 22:46:06 +0000 UTCI am sure that some of you have been wondering about an update considering another sourcebook dropped at the end of January.
As you probably guessed from the title, this post is not about a new version of the sheet nor about new content being available. A while ago, an old employer of mine reached out for my help with some projects I had done for them in the past. I happily agreed as this gave me chance to work with some old colleagues and friend, as well as taking a break from D&D (believe it or not, it was needed).
During these last two months, this project took up more and more off my time, which unfortunately went at the expense of working on the character sheet. As a result, I have basically not made any progress during February. The upside is that this welcome change of pace has given me some time to reflect and take a step back. I got some new ideas for this Patreon and new ideas to implement for MPMB’s Character Record Sheet. More on these new ideas/changes later this week(end).
This post is instead about the fact that I really didn’t do much related to this Patreon for about five weeks other than the minimum upkeep and I feel somewhat guilty taking your money. In the past I’ve paused my Patreon when something like this happened, but this time I want to do something different. Instead of pausing, I would like to donate my net proceeds from 1 month of my Patreon to charity.
I have decided that I am going to donate all my Patreon profits¹ from February to help the victims of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Having family and friends living close to the Ukrainian border brings this issue close to home, and I would like to help.
The donation will be made to the Foundation of Cooperating Aid Organisations, a.k.a. “Giro555”, in the Netherlands². This foundation consists of 11 different charities, all of which are helping the people of Ukraine in this time of crisis.
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¹ With profits I mean the money that Patreon pays me (what Patreon charges you, minus the fees Patreon charges me), minus my operational costs for 1 month (e.g. software licences and administrative fees), and minus taxes (the biggest expense).
² Part of my reason for choosing this charity is that I can get a tax rebate on it, because it is based in the Netherlands. This means I can give more money than if I would donate to a charity abroad.
I have always tried to keep politics out of this MPMB project and I understand if you don’t agree with me on this donation. If you don’t want your February 2022 pledge to be used like this, please let me know and I’ll refund you, no questions asked.
Just send me a message here on Patreon, or an email with your Patreon username/email to patreonrefunds[at]flapkan.com
EDIT: some commenters have raised a good point that they don't mind their money going to charity, but they do mind that the money is not being used as was originally promised. I completely understand if you feel that way. After all, you could've given it to a charity yourself and then have full say in which charity it would go to. So please don't hesitate to ask for a refund for your Februari pledge if you feel this way.
Comments
PhanZero
I support the work you're doing. It wasn't much done this month, but I think of it as continuing support - for what was done and what gets done. I understand when people see it different and want that refund, but I'm totally okay with how you handle this.
Kevin Mauro
I think that’s a wonderful thing to do!
James Duke
Very happy to see you use our patronage as you see fit, and I think aiding Ukraine is a very good use for it.
Calleigh Mentzer-Tootle
I vote yes, and I hope you and your family are doing well. I love using your character sheet and can't wait to see what new features and functions you come up with after your "break".
MorePurpleMoreBetter
The issue lies somewhat with how Patreon is setup. Pledges are done in advance, paying for the month to come. Combine that with my chronic inability to plan and here we are ;) But in all seriousness, I feel guilty now, because I didn't deliver on a promise (i.e. what the money was for). I can't go back in time and change that promise, but I can choose to do something else to make up for the promise I didn't deliver on. In the past I've then paused my Patreon for the month to come, while continuing to work on the sheets. However, that is also not truly fair for anybody who paid for the previous month and cancelled during that month. In the end I just felt that considering 99% of the pledges are $3 or less, most people probably wouldn't mind if that amount goes to a good cause for a single month. And that whoever does mind is welcome to get their money back to spend how they see fit.
MorePurpleMoreBetter
I agree with you and that is exactly why I mentioned the option for a refund. And also why I mention exactly where the money is going. So that if anybody doesn't like how it is being spent, they are welcome to have their pledge back. In the end I just felt that considering 99% of the pledges are $3 or less, most people wouldn't mind if that amount went to charity for a single month.
John Public
Need a bigger like button!
Noldere
That you decided to use money you felt guilty about taking for 'anything' - rather than preventing yourself from taking it in the first place - is a problem, but it's minor enough that I'm not going to mind it.
Nathan Rule
i guess i'm in the minority. I dont like supporting someone that has a specific pledge for specific benefits and have that shifted. I would not want you to send my money to support the "Freedom Truckers" in canada on the same token. I would feel the same way if i had a 3d mini creator that is pledging to produce 10 minis a month say they didn't produce anything or the STL's but thanks for the money and i gave it away to missionaries to proselytize. However the poster above me said its your money and if that's what you want to do then that's all good for you to do what you want with it and that's fine with me and your choice.
Ross Ramsay
I give you money to support you because I like your work, as far as I'm concerned what you do with the money after that is your business. even if I didn't feel this way, I'm very happy that you are donating the money the way you are. the world needs that kind of stuff right now, very badly. Makes me feel good that not only do you do brilliant work with the sheet, but your heart is in the right place as a person, and you recognize the need out there. Thanks for doing this, and please don't feel guilty about needing a break from D&D. I'm practically fanatical about it and I need a break from it sometimes too, it's better for you and better for the work. Wishing you the best.
nat0715
Thank you for the update. It also will give time for you some time to possibly add in the newest editions as well. Thank you for choosing to donate to a worthy cause!
Erudite Barbarian
🇺🇦 More than happy for this choice! 🇺🇦
Shane Green
Great plan, 100% approved! Stay safe out there.
Elias Pitterle
🇺🇦 Слава Україні! 🇺🇦
Apolinar Padilla Junior
I love this idea!
Karl DeMunda
That is a worthy use, and I applaud you!
David Geary
A truly classy way to address this.
Matt Edwards
Awesome!
MJ
Thank you. I'm Happy to support.
Scott
Imagine being the dickhead who doesn't want you to support the charity
Templa
What a wonderful thing to do!
Darren
What Angelo said.
Angelo Sargentini
Thank you . Slava Ukraini!
