Esperanto-USA is a 501.c.3 non-profit corporation. Under this designation, the IRS regulations give us certain benefits and requirements. The main benefits are our tax status and participation in programs for non-profits. The regulations also include how we spend our money and that financial reports must be made in English.

The membership approved our 2020 budget at the Landa Kongreso 2019 in Boston and after many years of having a deficit, we anticipate a positive net balance. This improvement is primarily due to relocating our office. The budget starts in January 2020 and is our best estimate of our revenue and expenses, but there are no guarantees. Having been the Treasurer for a year, I can say that the Board takes the financial operation of E-USA seriously. (Please note that the Board members receive no financial support including LK registration, transportation and meet monthly via Zoom and work on individual projects between Board meetings.) All expenses are for the maintenance of E-USA and support of Esperanto efforts.

Membership dues are an important part of funding what we do. We hope that your membership is of value to you and we want you to know that it is a significant contribution to the Esperanto effort in the USA.

In the past few months we started a fundraising effort called Esperanto in USA with the funds going entirely to USA Esperanto programs — especially for youth. This was to take advantage of a 100% generous match offered by the Esperantic Studies Foundation of donations up to $15,000, to give us a total of $30,000. This mission was entirely run by Board members and has had limited success – we are still quite short of the $15,000. (You’d be surprised how much time and effort it takes to ask for money.) If you haven’t already contributed and would like to, go to the ESF site.

Be assured that the Board takes your membership seriously and is constantly considering how to make E-USA better serve you. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions please feel free to contact me or any other Board member.