Hi CFH - Great questions! A few thoughts for you...
Quoted from cfh:so is the MoP set up as a 501c3 non profit? As in, is that done? Or is it awaiting approval, as in the paper work is submitted?
Museum of Pinball, Inc. is a non-profit corporation in the state of California, and we are in the process of being recognized under the 501c3 statute of the Internal Revenue Service. Having run non-profits for the past 15 years, it is not unusual for a non-profit to begin operating while the recognition from the IRS is "in process."
As with most non-profits and museums, employees will need to be paid - including an executive director. Every sizeable museum (and non-profit) has paid employees, and there is nothing odd or questionable about that. For a non-profit to be successful, it must be run quite similar to a business. For example, MOCA in Los Angeles is a non-profit, but there are numerous employees and a strong leadership team that is paid to guide and run the organization. Once again, nothing unusual here.
Quoted from cfh:Also has a 501c3 there is often some "community advantage" to make it a 501c3. Will money be donated to a cause? If so, what cause? Or are all monies made just for product/facility upgrades and maintenance?
In the case of a museum, the community advantage is the experience of the museum and the events of the non-profit organization. The same is true of the Museum of Pinball. While there has been discussion of supporting other non-profits as well, the main focus is on being a successful museum - similar to the focus of any museum that exists in the world.
Quoted from cfh:I guess i'm asking for a mission statement. couldn't find one on the website.
While we haven't crafted a specific mission statement, we have posted lengthy explanations of the reason for the museum - both on the Kickstarter page as well as our website.
Quoted from cfh:is the 18 acre building purchased by Weeks? it sounds like it is, but i think it would be good to know that it is actually his. Is there a mortgage that needs to be paid down? Also was the 18 acres bought by the non-profit (probably not, if it's not approved)? And if you're a 501c3 yet the 501c3 does not really own the property, then is Weeks "leasing" the facility essentially to himself?
Yes, John Weeks has purchased the building, and there are monthly payments. He has a short-term lease for 80,000 square feet of the building to another for-profit business and 40,000 to the non-profit (Musem of Pinball, Inc.)
Quoted from cfh:What are the proposed hours of the MoP? Say will it be like PHoF and open everyday? Or is it a weekend only thing like say CP Pinball?
In the beginning, we plan to be open to the public every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with special events held Monday-Thursday.
Quoted from cfh:What is the status of the 500 games? are these "barn projects" or all fully done and restored? Who does the repair work? Is Weeks a capable repair person, or more of a management kind of guy?
The 500 games are currently in storage units in Beaumont, Redlands, Palm Springs, and Long Beach, California. Most all the games are in working condition, and John prides himself on buying games that are beautiful and functional. Having owned arcades in the past, John is committed to a high-quality experience for both pinheads and the general public. Not only have we had numerous people already volunteer to be part of our ongoing tech team, we also plan to hire pinball techs to be on the museum staff. Although the Museum of Pinball is a non-profit, it must be run like a for-profit business in order to go the distance.
Quoted from cfh:What are the time frames estimated on the project? "Done in early 2014" doesn't really say much, i would like a better time line with what needs to be done, and when it will happen, and at what cost? For example, how is the $150k that is being raised proposed to be allocated to the building upgrades?
As noted on the Kickstarter page, the estimated timeframe for the Grand Opening is January or February 2014. You'll also note on the Kickstarter page that there is a list of "stretch goals" indicating what improvements will be made based on the amount of money that comes in.
We have done our best to go above and beyond to be straight-forward and above-board in laying out this project. At this point, we aren't asking for "donations" as a non-profit. As with other non-profits who receive contributions via Kickstarter, we aren't giving a donation receipt in return, because Backers are receiving a "reward" for their contribution.
We are happy to answer questions to bring clarity. As with the launch of any non-profit museum, there are costs associated with doing business, and we are honored that many people are choosing to get behind the vision of expanding the passion of pinball to the masses - not only in southern California, but around the globe.
Thanks,
David Trotter
[email protected]
Museum of Pinball
www.museumofpinball.org
Newport Beach, CA
