The Earl Wentz Projects

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Is my contribution tax-deductible?

Yes! Your contribution is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. That means that when you give to support The Earl Wentz Projects and receive no goods or services in return for the gift, 100% of the amount you give is tax-deductible.

Can I make a contribution by check or do I have to use my credit card?

Contributions can be made online easily using your credit card. If you prefer, you can mail a check to us. Just be sure you make it payable to Fractured Atlas and write in the memo line "In behalf of The Earl Wentz Projects." Click here for our mailing address.

Are you eligible to receive a matching gift from my company?

Yes, in most cases, we can accept and process matching gifts from businesses whose employees make a contribution to Fractured Atlas in behalf of The Earl Wentz Projects. However, matching gift programs have their own rules about the charities and programs they will support and their rules trump our willingness to accept the gift. Please check with your Human Resources department and then contact us with any specific questions you may have.

What is Fractured Atlas?

Fractured Atlas is a non-profit organization based in New York City. They serve a national community of artists and arts organizations and help to facilitate the creation of art such as the music of Earl Wentz.

Fractured Atlas helps artists and emerging organizations like The Earl Wentz Projects function more effectively as businesses by providing access to funding, healthcare, education, and more, but honors our individuality as a project, leaving us free to achieve our goals and objectives in an organized, legitimate, and business-like way. Fractured Atlas has reviewed and approved our mission, project plan, and budget.

For more information: Visit the Fractured Atlas site.

Why go through an organization like Fractured Atlas? Do I have to donate through them?

Fractured Atlas already has 501(c)(3) ("non-for-profit") status. That means that your contributions in behalf of The Earl Wentz Projects are tax-deductible.

Quite simply, the cost and time involved in getting 501(c)(3) status for emerging organizations like ours is prohibitive. Working with Fractured Atlas is a first step in the usually multi-year process of getting our own 501(c)(3) status as an independent organization and lets us get going now with our important work.

It also assures that your contributions are safe and will go towards getting the music of Earl Wentz out to the world. Fractured Atlas only releases funds to The Earl Wentz Projects against legitimate project expenses in the budget we've submitted to them.

You must make your contributions through Fractured Atlas if you want to receive a tax-deduction!

Who administers the money I donate? Who controls the funds?

Your contributions to Fractured Atlas in behalf of The Earl Wentz Projects are held in a restricted fund that has been specifically established to support The Earl Wentz Projects. In compliance with IRS regulations, Fractured Atlas retains full legal ownership and control of the funds.

The project itself is under the direction of William Watkins with the assistance of advisors, including the Rev. Jason Radmacher, pastor of John Street Methodist Church in New York; Ralston Turbeville, an attorney; and other musicians and technical advisors.

Fractured Atlas only releases funds to The Earl Wentz Projects against legitimate project expenses in the budget we've submitted to them. The funds can only be used in this way.

Where can I view more pictures of Earl Wentz and his career?

There are hundreds of pictures of Earl Wentz with highlights of his multi-faceted career available at www.EarlWentz.com. One of our project goals includes updating and organizing those pages to make navigation and viewing easier.

Where can I get recordings of Earl's music?

There are currently three CDs in print with Earl's music. More are in the pipeline. CDs are most-readily available through Sixpence, Inc.

Can I hear sound clips of his music?

There are some clips available on our "Our Priorities" page. One of our project goals is to add more clips to the EarlWentz.com web site as a cataloguing and marketing tool.

The priorities for the first year are clearly spelled out. What about beyond that?

We have a well-thought out business plan that covers our goals and strategies as well as our projected budget. Thanks to the generosity of one of our supporters, an attorney, that's been refined and polished. With your help, we can accomplish our goals!

Here's a quick overview of what we are aiming for down the road:

Year Two Our second year will be devoted to seeing through to completion the submission of the initially-selected works for either publication or performance, while updating the database and website to reflect additional performances of the works of Earl Wentz. We will assist with and monitor marketing and fundraising initiatives of producing organizations that choose the selected works, expand our contacts in those arenas, and select additional works to move forward, building on the information in our database.

Year Three We anticipate performance and publication of the initially-selected works will be well underway. We will be engaged in the submission, marketing, and performance of additional works specifically selected from our database in Year Two. Building on the knowledge and contacts gained in Years One and Two, we will explore additional venues to move the music of Earl Wentz forward, including demo recordings of selected works for marketing purposes as well as full professional recordings for sale. This information will be added to our website with recordings available to assist in marketing the works of Earl Wentz as well as for purchase.