Magazine Summary
Fund for UFO Research QUARTERLY REPORT
Summary
The Fund for UFO Research's Q4 1988 report highlights Dr. Bruce Maccabee's TV appearances discussing Gulf Breeze sightings and the launch of a fundraising effort for Stanton Friedman's MJ-12 research, aiming for $16,000 and having raised $8,365 by year-end. The report also details ongoing abduction research projects by Budd Hopkins, Dr. Richard Haines, and Dr. Rima Laibow, including proposals for an educational videotape, a crisis center, and a conference on PTSD. Financials show total assets of $13,483.33 and expenditures of $4,218.80 for the quarter, with donations significantly increasing income.
Magazine Overview
This document is the Quarterly Report from the Fund for UFO Research, covering the period of October to December 1988. It details the organization's activities, research projects, fundraising efforts, and financial status.
Key Activities and Research Projects
Media Appearances and Public Outreach
Dr. Bruce Maccabee, Chairman of the Fund for UFO Research, was featured on two national television shows discussing the Gulf Breeze UFO sightings. He appeared on NBC's "Unsolved Mysteries" on October 5 and on Seligman Productions' "UFO Cover-up?...Live" on October 14. The latter was a live broadcast from a studio near the White House, which, despite an estimated 40 million viewers and over 75,000 phone calls, received minimal media attention.
Fundraising for MJ-12 Research
A significant focus of the quarter was fundraising for Stanton Friedman's MJ-12 related research, with a goal of $16,000. By the end of December, $8,365 had been raised, bringing the total committed amount for this research to $10,310.69. Whitley Strieber's Communion Foundation has pledged a matching grant of $5,000, which is expected to help complete the fundraising effort by the first quarter of 1989. Contributors of $50 or more will receive a copy of Friedman's report.
Abduction Research Support
The Fund is also supporting Budd Hopkins' abduction research, which requires financial assistance for clerical help due to a large volume of correspondence. A major sponsor has agreed to contribute to this effort. Several other abduction research projects have been submitted:
- Dr. Richard Haines proposed creating an educational videotape for abduction researchers and clinical psychologists, with an estimated cost of $20,000.
- Dr. Rima Laibow proposed an abduction "crisis center" with a hotline for emotionally disturbed individuals, to be staffed by trained personnel and run by a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
- Dr. Laibow also proposed a conference for clinical psychologists and psychiatrists to examine the abduction phenomenon, particularly its connection to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a condition identified in Vietnam veterans. This conference could cost several hundred thousand dollars.
The Fund is entertaining proposals for research into government secrecy and abduction cases, and interested parties can request a grant proposal form.
Scientific Collaboration
An initiative was launched to gather signatures from scientists who support the conduct of UFO research. This project is a collaboration with the Center for UFO Studies and the Mutual UFO Network, coordinated by Fund Associate Howard Hoffman.
Available Publications
Several papers by Dr. Maccabee are now available. "The Scientific Investigation of Unidentified Flying Objects" offers an exhaustive discussion of Project Blue Book Special Report #14. "The Fantastic Flight of JAL 1628" by CUFOS details the Japan Air Lines sighting of November 17, 1986. Additionally, a previously unpublished paper, "An Analysis of an Anomalous Image Found in a DMSP Weather Satellite Photograph," describes a UFO resembling a car without wheels. "The Mundrabilla Incident" by Keith Basterfield, investigating an Australian vehicle interference case, is also available, supported by a $1,000 grant from the Fund.
Treasurer's Report
Financial Overview (4th Quarter 1988)
- Total Assets: $13,483.33 (compared to $5,469.11 at the end of Q3).
- Checking Account: $11,229.41
- Savings & Loan: $1,524.45
- Dreyfus Account: $729.47
- Expenditures: $4,218.80 (compared to $4,749.56 at the end of Q3).
- Mail Services: $3,227.85
- Grants/investigations: $0 (compared to $1,153.82 in Q3)
- Supplies: $27.22
- Phone: $175.27
- Other: $788.46
- Income: $12,374.73 (compared to $3,157.70 at the end of Q3).
- Donations: $9,422.90
- Sales: $2,890.90
- Interest: $33.93
Financial Commentary
Despite a healthy bank balance, the report notes that over $10,000 is committed to MJ-12 research and over $1,000 to abduction cases, leaving less than $3,000 for general operating expenses and other research projects. Supporters are asked to contribute at least $5.00 to offset printing and mailing costs for the Quarterly Report.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The Fund for UFO Research consistently supports rigorous investigation into UFO phenomena, including sightings, abductions, and potential government involvement. The organization actively seeks funding for specific research projects and collaborates with other UFO research groups. The editorial stance emphasizes the importance of scientific inquiry and the dissemination of findings through publications and reports. There is a clear focus on providing detailed information on cases and research, often making previously unavailable reports accessible to the public.
Although the Treasurer's Report indicates a very healthy bank balance as of the end of 1988, we should point out that more than $10,000 has been committed to MJ-12 research, and over $1,000 is earmarked for research into abduction cases. That leaves less than $3,000 for general operating expenses as well as other research projects.
Key Incidents
Dr. Bruce Maccabee appeared on the TV show 'Unsolved Mysteries' which featured the Gulf Breeze UFO sightings.
Dr. Bruce Maccabee appeared on the TV show 'UFO Cover-up?...Live' which featured the Gulf Breeze UFO sightings.
An anomalous image was found in a DMSP weather satellite photograph, described as a 'UFO' resembling an automobile without wheels flying above the Earth's surface.
The Mundrabilla Incident, an Australian vehicle interference case, was investigated with a $1,000 grant from the Fund.
The Japan Air Lines sighting JAL 1628 became public knowledge in late December.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Dr. Bruce Maccabee's media appearances in Q4 1988?
Dr. Bruce Maccabee appeared on the national TV shows 'Unsolved Mysteries' (NBC) on October 5 and 'UFO Cover-up?...Live' (Seligman Productions) on October 14, both featuring the Gulf Breeze UFO sightings.
What was the main fundraising effort during this quarter?
The major effort was to raise $16,000 for MJ-12 related research by Stanton Friedman. By the end of December, $8,365 was raised, with a committed total of $10,310.69, and a promised matching grant of $5,000 from Whitley Strieber's Communion Foundation.
What abduction research projects were submitted to the Fund?
Projects included Dr. Richard Haines' proposal for an educational videotape, Dr. Rima Laibow's proposal for an abduction 'crisis center' with a hotline, and a conference for psychologists and psychiatrists to review the abduction phenomenon and its connection to PTSD.
What is the financial status of the Fund at the end of 1988?
The Treasurer's Report shows total assets of $13,483.33 and total expenditures of $4,218.80 for the quarter. While the bank balance is healthy, over $10,000 is committed to MJ-12 research and over $1,000 to abduction cases, leaving less than $3,000 for general operating expenses.
In This Issue
People Mentioned
- Dr. Bruce MaccabeeChairman
- Stanton FriedmanResearcher
- Whitley StrieberCommunion Foundation
- Budd HopkinsAbduction Researcher
- Dr. Richard HainesResearcher
- Dr. Rima LaibowResearcher
- Howard HoffmanFund Associate
- Keith BasterfieldInvestigator
Organisations
- Fund for UFO Research
- Seligman Productions
- Communion Foundation
- Center for UFO Studies
- Mutual UFO Network
- CUFOS
Locations
- Gulf Breeze, USA
- White House, USA
- Vietnam
- Japan