Who benefits from the Imaging Foundation?

The Imaging Foundation work benefits other nonprofit, educational and environmental organizations, local community groups, and various grassroots organizations with related goals to protect the earth.   The Imaging Foundation reaches out to organizations needing images to help facilitate public awareness of the environment and its marvelous creatures with an overall emphasis on protecting the earth and ecology.

What is the purpose of the Imaging Foundation? Why was it founded?

Leaders at the Imaging Foundation believe that video and still images are essential elements in both education and environmental advocacy. Rarely do budgets support professional imagery acquisition. These images are vital to captivating a student audience. By providing this service to a range of individuals and organizations, the imaging Foundation plays a pivotal role in the success of their missions.

How Does the Imaging Foundation support its mission?

Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. Their contributions in both time and funding have kept our organization growing. Special programs such as our Internship Program have found independent funding sources. Foundation expeditions are supported by the cumulative funding of the team and we are currently seeking government and private grants and donations.

What percentage of my donation goes towards salaried personnel?

None. The Imaging Foundation is completely run by a volunteer staff who receive no pay for their work.

How do I donate?

There are many options if you would like to donate to the Imaging Foundation. You can donate equipment, air miles, time, talent, in-kind gifts, and of course money. You can even help fund the Imaging Foundation by making purchases through Amazon.com. Direct donations can be made through PayPal, by check, or through Missionfish. Click on DONATIONS in the menu on the left or HERE to see the multitude of options and where to send your donations.

What is Missionfish?

Missionfish is an eBay program designed to help non-profit organizations. A percentage of the sale price is donated to your designated non-profit. Click HERE for more information.

Community Selling - Lets eBay sellers donate proceeds from items they sell to your organization. It's safe and easy to donate proceeds from an eBay sale to IF. Just list your items with eBay Giving Works.

Direct Selling - Turn just about any goods or service into funding for the IF mission by selling on eBay! The eBay Giving Works ribbon will help your items stand out.

What is PayPal?

PayPal is a secure online payment service. Click below more information and for a convenient link to make a donation via PayPal.

How will my monetary or in-kind donation be used?

The Imaging Foundation has several ongoing projects related to its core mission.   Currently, these include a hands-on, interactive display with High-Definition videos specifically about Cocos Island off the coast of Costa Rica, sponsorship of student expenses for either of the internship programs, further production of short subjects (such as the video about the Marine Corridor between Cocos Island and the Galapagos Islands), or ongoing expansion of the high-quality photo and video database.   More information about specific programs can be found throughout the Donors and Funding section of the website.    Any donations can either be allocated towards a specific program or to the general funding of all the programs.   Please contact the Imaging Foundation office to discuss targeted donations if that is your preference.

Is my donation tax-deductible?

Your individual tax advisor should always be consulted for specific situations. The Imaging Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 organization. Therefore, monetary donations are usually 100% deductible. Other donations, such as technical or diving equipment, is deductible based upon the market value.

How can I check the status of Imaging Foundation as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization?

You can contact our office to request a copy of our Articles of Incorporation. E-mail us at info@imagingfoundation.org or telephone +1 310-458-0210 and you can receive a copy via e-mail or fax.

Do I receive a receipt for my donation?

You will be sent a letter at the beginning of the calendar year. This document will stipulate the value of your donation.

When will I receive confirmation of my donation?

Upon receipt of your donation, a communication will be issued confirming its receipt.

Can I participate in an expedition to see my donation at work?

Yes, one of the best ways to become an ambassador for the mission of the Imaging Foundation is to join an expedition either as a tourist or to become an even more active part of the working team.   What we've found from past expeditions is that even people who did not start off as part of the working team become excited about the conservation of the unique destinations and they develop a strong desire to help out with many different tasks during the expedition.  

Visit the EXPEDITION section of the Volunteer section to decide which type of expedition is best suited to you. Make your reservation and help "make a Difference" in our future.