Minimum $10 donation? And no PayPal? Why?

Questions and Answers : Wish list : Minimum $10 donation? And no PayPal? Why?
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Kevyn

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Message 1835407 - Posted: 11 Dec 2016, 19:04:31 UTC
Last modified: 11 Dec 2016, 19:11:45 UTC

I tried to donate $5 to Seti@Home this morning, but was disappointed to discover the site wouldn't let me, because of the minimum $10 donation amount. I am unemployed and cannot afford more right now.
It seems sad that SETI@Home is cutting itself off from the lucrative micropayment donation revenue stream, especially at this time of increased financial need.
In contrast, Wikipedia allows a minimum of $3 donations, and also enables PayPal donations, which are free when deducted directly from a bank account. Patreon allows for a minimum of $1 donation a month, also via PayPal.
I'd love to see SETI@Home do the same.

Kevyn Jacobs, SETI@Home participant since 1999
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Profile Jord
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Message 1835548 - Posted: 12 Dec 2016, 12:04:02 UTC - in response to Message 1835407.  

Berkeley will not deal with PayPal, and since the Space Sciences Lab that hosts SETI@Home is a part of Berkeley, they cannot start a PayPal account on their own (either SSL or S@H). Further, S@H is not allowed to have a separate bank account which it needs to withdraw any funds from PayPal.

None of the guys volunteering their time towards Seti can set one up either, because PayPal donations may be counted as income for them, and the payment to Berkeley may not be completely deductible from their regular income.

That said, you can use PayPal to donate, but via the GPU Users Group. See https://setiathome.berkeley.edu/sah_donate.php for details on that. You can also send a check, or donate your bitcoincs.
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Kevyn

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Message 1835912 - Posted: 14 Dec 2016, 17:30:08 UTC - in response to Message 1835548.  
Last modified: 14 Dec 2016, 17:30:35 UTC

Thank you. I made my $5.00 donation through PayPal, via the GPU Users Group.
And thank you for adding the PayPal section to the Donations page.
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Profile Schmeily
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Message 1842856 - Posted: 18 Jan 2017, 11:17:17 UTC

I think it's a pity the paypal is not possible.
I have already donated 2 times over the gpu user but did not receive my star.
This is not possible for me.
Sometimes I ask a friend if I can donate on his credit card and give him the money privately.
No good solution. There must be a possibility. It escapes seti determines some money thereby.
Greetings Schmeily
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Questions and Answers : Wish list : Minimum $10 donation? And no PayPal? Why?


 
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