General Fund at FTDNA
Family Tree DNA, the test lab for the BLANCHARD-DNA Project, has recently established a General Fund for their Surname Projects. Those interested in supporting DNA testing for participants in a particular project at FTDNA can make contributions by visiting the "self-explanatory" Contribution Page atwww.familytreedna.com/contribution.html.
Here is how it works.
a. Contributions can be made by PayPal, check or credit card. Complete the information on the "Contribution" page, including the name of the Surname Project at FTDNA that you wish to support, your name (or anonymous, if you prefer), the amount of your contribution and information concerning your method of payment.
b. FTDNA collects/disburses the money and keeps a log on the Project Group Administrator's page.
c. The Group Administrators tell FTDNA to which kit (project member) the funds should be applied.
Contributions received in the early days of the BLANCHARD-DNA Project were very helpful in getting the project underway. FTDNA's offer to manage a General Fund for their Projects is very much appreciated and will remove the burden of this responsibility from the project Administrators.
As a bonus, FTDNA is offering to make a "Matching Gift" in conjunction with the launch of their General Fund. During the month of October, they will match dollar for dollar the contributions to a Suname Project General Fund, up to a total of $200.
The conditions for using the FTDNA matching dollars are:
a. no more than $25 that has come from FTDNA can be used per test,
b. FTDNA matching gift can be used only for new kits,
c. FTDNA contributions from the matching gift need to be used before the
end of this year, as they will expire on 12/31/04, whether used or not.
This is a great opportunity to help us continue the expansion of the BLANCHARD-DNA Project so if you are interested, please make your contribution before the end of October.
Fletch Blanchard