does raising money for charity count as non-commercial under "creative commons" license?

Question

I've been writing a blog for a while that combines images from Flickr which are licensed under creative commons (non-commercial) with select quotes. After several requests, I'm now considering turning it into a book of sorts, via Lulu.com.

Because of the license terms and spirit of what I'm doing, I'm not looking to make any money from this personally. However, it seems it could be a good opportunity to help a charity.

Would it be allowable under the terms of the creative commons license for me to charge say $1-2 extra on top of the cost from Lulu for printing/shipping, with the full extra amount going to a nominated charity?

Answer 1

The terms of any Creative Common license are set forth in the license, and each has specific things that are allowed and forbidden.

Generally, you are not allowed to charge extra above printing/handling/shipping costs -- but you can solicit donations to charity as part of the transaction. Thus, you can sell the book for $10, but if the buyer wants to pay $12 you'll donate the extra to charity. That's allowed under most Creative Commons licenses.

But also check your local state/country regulations for collecting money for charities.

Answer 2

Here in the Western countries, you cannot just collect money. So you must have licence to do that. Mostly organisation having this kind of license and they get first permission before doing or asking donation to the people. And their mission is to help people especially in poor countries like Africa and India, or in their project and also if there is disaster like earthquake ,typhoon etc. If you have permission then you can ask for donation to the public. Like holding a box mark with donation and some pictures and just say donation for children. You can just stand on the shop or street where mostly people passed there.You must ask permission to in the shop if they allow you or not. You can collect old things, then you can sell it in the flea market. You can do also concert or dinner fund raising. Envite all the people you know.

Answer 3

But be prepared to prove that the full extra amount going to a nominated charity. Keep careful and detailed records. You can be audited. In the US file with the IRS the first year documenting this.

Answer 4

It might work if you form a non-profit organization, register it with the state's Attorney General's office of charity supervision, and receive IRS recognition of its charitable status, say, 501(c)(3).

Otherwise, you are at risk that some state or federal law will be interpreted as meaning your actions are for your own personal opportunity, and not charitable, as you claim, and you will be personally responsible for paying everyone back.