Fund for UFO Research Inc. Quarterly Report

Magazine Overview

This document is a Quarterly Report from the Fund for UFO Research Inc., covering the period of July to September 1994. It details the organization's activities, responses to significant events, financial status, and publications.

Key Events and Fund Responses

Roswell Incident Response

On September 8, 1994, the U.S. Air Force released a report identifying the debris discovered near Roswell, New Mexico, in July 1947 as part of Project Mogul, a top-secret government effort to monitor Soviet nuclear tests. This explanation differed from initial reports of a 'flying disc' and a subsequent suggestion of a weather balloon. The Fund for UFO Research immediately issued a statement challenging the Air Force's findings. They questioned the evidence for Project Mogul and asked surviving witnesses if the debris matched their accounts. Fund spokesperson Don Berliner was quoted in USA Today and the New York Times. The Fund emphasized that the Air Force report did not adequately address witness reports of the recovery of non-human bodies, thus leaving the possibility of extraterrestrial involvement in the Roswell case open.

UFO Organization Collaboration

During the annual Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) Symposium in July, the Board of Directors of the Joint USA-CIS Aerial Anomaly Federation met in Austin, Texas. The Fund is a member of this federation, alongside the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS) and MUFON. Representatives from the Fund, Eddie Bullard and Tom Deuley, were present. The federation acknowledged the Fund's contribution of a fax machine to the UFO Tsentre in Moscow.

Furthermore, a coalition of CUFOS, the Fund, and MUFON convened under the auspices of the Bigelow Foundation in Las Vegas from September 30 to October 1. These three major UFO organizations agreed on a joint statement of purpose to promote more effective UFO research and collaborate on projects of mutual interest. Funding for research will come from each organization, and potential projects should be submitted for consideration. The initiative aims to leverage the best skills from each group and foster a collaborative approach to UFO research.

Awards and Publications

Isabel L. Davis Award

The Fund reported that Leonard H. Stringfield, an author and researcher known for his work on UFOs and crash/retrieval cases, was selected by the Fund's donors to receive the 1994 Isabel L. Davis Award. This annual award recognizes long-term accomplishments and excellence in promoting rational inquiry into UFO sightings and related phenomena. Stringfield will receive $1,000, funded by donations. Two of Stringfield's status reports on his crash/retrieval research are available from the Fund.

New Publication: Government Policy on UFO Information

The Fund announced a new publication titled "Government Policy on UFO Information: Its Origins and Status," edited by Richard Hall. This is the first in a series of "Issue Papers" designed to present diverse viewpoints and opinions on important UFO research topics. The series aims to encourage rational discussion and careful analysis, inviting contributions from researchers and scholars with expertise in government, science, and UFO research.

Treasurer's Report (January - September 1994)

The report details the Fund's financial activities for the first nine months of 1994.

Income

Total income amounted to $25,999.28, primarily from donations ($13,281.53), sales ($10,513.57), postage ($1,033.03), and refunds ($965.90). Interest and a small unrealized capital gain also contributed.

Expenses

Total expenses reached $43,573.61. The largest categories were Program Services ($31,608.29), Fundraising ($6,656.43), and Administration ($5,308.89). A small Capital Loss of $3.50 was also recorded.

Financial Summary

Net Ordinary Income was -$17,574.33, and Net Income was -$17,577.83, resulting in a negative Net Income for the period. The Treasurer's Note explains that a commitment to reserve $4,000 for a documentary about the Roswell UFO crash case was deleted as a liability due to contingent funding not being secured.

Assets

Total Assets were reported as $8,014.14, comprising Checking Account ($2,387.88), Fidelity Asset Manager ($5,120.96), and Short Term Bond Fund ($505.30).

Equity

Total Equity was $8,014.14, consisting of Opening Balance Equity ($7,427.16) and Retained Earnings ($10,741.48), offset by a Net Income loss of -$10,154.50.

Liabilities

Total Liabilities amounted to $3,473.33, including various research projects such as Abduction Research (Rubtsov) ($350.00), McDonald Papers (Vaughn) ($375.00), Russian UFO History (Rubtsov) ($50.00), Shag Harbor Crash (Styles) ($1,698.33), and UFO History (Clark) ($1,000.00).

Net Worth

The Net Worth of the Fund was $4,540.81.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Fund for UFO Research Inc. consistently adopts a critical and investigative stance towards official explanations of UFO phenomena, particularly evident in their response to the 1994 Air Force report on the Roswell incident. They prioritize witness testimony and unresolved aspects of cases, such as the recovery of non-human bodies. The organization actively promotes collaboration among UFO research groups to enhance the quality and effectiveness of investigations. Furthermore, the Fund supports researchers and authors contributing to the field, as demonstrated by the Isabel L. Davis Award and the publication of scholarly works on UFO-related topics, including government policy. The financial report indicates a period of significant expenses, particularly in program services, leading to a net loss for the reporting period, though assets and net worth remain positive.