From: John Grochowski <jgrochowski@ephraim.org> Date: Mon, 3 Aug 2020 12:18:34 -0500 Message-ID: <CAOxuWTqJcdy4pBN-N-hcG0NFjo8957ev+rbV1FvhnNYZzW+q+Q@mail.gmail.com> Subject: Re: Policy for Donations "in memory of"
Hi David,
We do not have anything written specifically on memorial donations, but we
do have some general written policies on donations that might help.
Attached are the Gift Acceptance Policies that we drafted. Anything not
mentioned has traditionally been handled at the discretion of the Executive
Director or Board.
Most memorials and honorariums that we receive are not designated and
simply go into our general operating fund. Some donations are designated
towards things such as building maintenance, programing, or curation. If a
donor requests funds go towards a very specific project, it is really up to
the Director and Board to determine if that project meets your mission and
is something you are able to undertake at the time. If it isn't, then you
would either have to try to convince the donor to direct the funds
elsewhere, or refuse the gift. Unless the donor is asking for
something completely outrageous though, we always try to
accommodate their wishes.
We recently had a deceased person direct funds to us. The daughter asked
that some of those funds be used to purchase a memorial bench for our front
lawn. In this case, we felt the project was in line with our mission and
could easily be done, so we made it happen for the family. We also have a
donor that specifically funds the landscaping at our office.
In cases where an individual gives money directly to the family and then
the family sends us a check, we record those as gifts from the
individuals with a note that they gave directly to the family.
Regarding significant life events, I am not aware of our organization
making any contribution or purchasing something. One of our Board members
passed away over the winter and as a staff we mailed a condolence card, but
no gift was given to the widow. Generally, our board members would also
collect money amongst each other to give a gift or purchase flowers, rather
than have it come directly from the organization. If you absolutely want
to send something from the organization in honor of a board member, you
probably would want to consult with your lawyer just to make sure there is
no issue doing so.
*John M. Grochowski, CTA*
Director of Operations
Ephraim Historical Foundation
3060 Anderson Lane, PO Box 165
Ephraim, WI 54211-0165
(920) 854-9688
ephraim.org <http://www.ephraim.org/>
*Ephraim...Where Door County’s Past Lives Today*
On Thu, Jul 30, 2020 at 7:53 AM David Totten <djtotten@earthlink.net> wrote
:
> Our society, like most, gratefully receives unsolicited memorial donation
s
> in honor of, or in memory of, a deceased. We consider these funds were
> given to advance the mission of the society and to be used solely at the
> Board of Director’s discretion.
>
>
>
> Occasionally, we encounter a situation where the deceased family thinks
> otherwise, and lobbies to direct funds to a purpose they have in mind. Th
e
> problem may become further complicated if the original donor’s ch
ecks are
> made payable to the deceased family, and the society receives the sum fro
m
> a check drawn on the deceased family’s account.
>
>
>
> This is a delicate situation, particularly when the deceased has long
> rendered time, talent, and other support to benefit the society.
>
>
>
> We are seeking guidance on this issue. Do you have a written policy in
> place? Comments appreciated.
>
>
>
> An ancillary issue arises over whether there is to be a group
> acknowledgement of significant life events affecting, say, a board member
,
> and if so, what is the funding source? Providing flowers for a funeral is
a
> good example.
>
>
>
> Do you have a policy in place? Again, your comments are solicited.
>
>
>
> David Totten
>
> President, Board of Directors
>
> New Berlin Historical Society
>
> djtotten@earthlink.net
>
> Web: newberlinhistoricalsociety.org
> <http://www.newberlinhistoricalsociety.org/>
>
> Facebook: New Berlin WI Historical Society
>
>
>