In order to receive to most effective use of the Foundation for donations made to CAHU events, all chapter donations should be received within 60 days of receipt at the event. It will then be possible to insure all checks and other donations are processed corrrectly and reflected in a timely fashion. Any contributions received after the 60 day deadline cannot be processed.
We have updated the forms on the website that will be used for the charitable events to facilitate ease of use.
If you have any problems with the process or questions, you may contact Cynthia Downing, our Executive Director or you can contact me at Word & Brown. We look forward to another great year in support of CAHU and all the wonderful causes it champions.
Jim Greth
Vice President
CAHU Foundation
Monday, March 17, 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007
Foundation Report, December 2007
The CAHU Foundation will be taking a more active role in enhancing involvement with the local operations around the state. We are delighted to present below the plans that we will be implementing that have been researched and developed by the Foundation’s Executive Director, Cynthia Downing. With Cynthia’s support and excellent strategies, we believe the Foundation will have a meaningful role in enhancing the image and visibility of our agents in California by providing charitable opportunities for involvement.
Our plans address two key areas: Enhancing the Foundation’s operations and improving its ability to assist local chapters with charitable fund raising.
Enhance operations
The Foundation’s books are now available online using QuickBooks. This allows Foundation Board members and Chapter Presidents the ability to view the books at any time. Local chapters can quickly review how much money they have on deposit for charitable purposes, and confirm check disbursement to vendors and charities. We are also researching methods to streamline and expedite disbursements by using online banking and EFT payments when applicable.
Next year, we will be developing an online system that will automate interactions between local chapters and the Foundation. This system will automatically generate the IRS required written receipts for contributions of $75 or more, and expedite the communications process between local chapters and the Foundation.
When the new CAHU Website becomes available, the Foundation will be updating the quality of its content on the site as well as providing local chapters access to “how to” Power Point presentations.
Assist local chapters with charitable fund raising
Many foundations and philanthropists offer “matching” grant programs. Under these programs, the foundation or philanthropist agrees to match the charitable dollars raised by a local organization. Some matches are one-to-one while others are one-to-two or more.
The CAHU Foundation recently joined http://www.foundationcenter.org/ and began researching opportunities that might apply to local chapters. It became obvious that numerous opportunities exist. For example, the Orange County Association of Health Underwriters (OCAHU) raises funds for Cystic Fibrosis. The R.C. Baker Foundation located in Orange, California, has a history of supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The grant application process is relatively simple: a simple letter outlining the grant funding proposals that can be submitted at any time.
If OCAHU (or any other local chapter) wants to leverage its charitable fund raising activities, the CAHU Foundation is available to help. Local chapters that desire this type of assistance should let the CAHU Foundation know which charities they support. The Foundation will then research specific opportunities that might exist. When opportunities are identified, the Foundation will prepare the grant application or funding proposal in conjunction with the local chapter President, submit it, follow up, and provide any post-grant reporting that might be required.
Charitable fund raising compliance issues
Some local chapters might not be aware of California State guidelines that cover charitable fund raising. Two separate State laws apply:
· The Non-Profit Integrity Act of 2004. This Act prohibits misrepresentations when soliciting donations
· Business and Professions Code Section 17510(a). This State law covers the solicitation of charitable funds from the public. The names of all organizations involved in the fund raising campaign must be disclosed. The percentage of funds raised that will go to charity must be stated on all fund raising literature. And, the organization cannot retain more than 50% of the funds raised for administrative purposes.
The applicable regulations are posted on CAHU's website at http://www.cahu.org/. Local chapter Presidents can call the CAHU Foundation with questions or they can visit the California Attorney General’s website at http://ag.ca.gov/charities/publications.php for more information.
Chapter Raffles
California State law significantly regulates raffles. Many local chapters are not familiar with these regulations. Therefore, the Foundation is currently exploring the possibility of registering directly with the Department of Justice to serve as an umbrella for local all CAHU chapters that want to conduct raffles within these regulations. This will increase the Foundation’s annual reporting obligations but any extra burden might be more than offset by the service it provides to local chapters. However, the Foundation first needs to determine if this is feasible before proceeding.
Our plans address two key areas: Enhancing the Foundation’s operations and improving its ability to assist local chapters with charitable fund raising.
Enhance operations
The Foundation’s books are now available online using QuickBooks. This allows Foundation Board members and Chapter Presidents the ability to view the books at any time. Local chapters can quickly review how much money they have on deposit for charitable purposes, and confirm check disbursement to vendors and charities. We are also researching methods to streamline and expedite disbursements by using online banking and EFT payments when applicable.
Next year, we will be developing an online system that will automate interactions between local chapters and the Foundation. This system will automatically generate the IRS required written receipts for contributions of $75 or more, and expedite the communications process between local chapters and the Foundation.
When the new CAHU Website becomes available, the Foundation will be updating the quality of its content on the site as well as providing local chapters access to “how to” Power Point presentations.
Assist local chapters with charitable fund raising
Many foundations and philanthropists offer “matching” grant programs. Under these programs, the foundation or philanthropist agrees to match the charitable dollars raised by a local organization. Some matches are one-to-one while others are one-to-two or more.
The CAHU Foundation recently joined http://www.foundationcenter.org/ and began researching opportunities that might apply to local chapters. It became obvious that numerous opportunities exist. For example, the Orange County Association of Health Underwriters (OCAHU) raises funds for Cystic Fibrosis. The R.C. Baker Foundation located in Orange, California, has a history of supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The grant application process is relatively simple: a simple letter outlining the grant funding proposals that can be submitted at any time.
If OCAHU (or any other local chapter) wants to leverage its charitable fund raising activities, the CAHU Foundation is available to help. Local chapters that desire this type of assistance should let the CAHU Foundation know which charities they support. The Foundation will then research specific opportunities that might exist. When opportunities are identified, the Foundation will prepare the grant application or funding proposal in conjunction with the local chapter President, submit it, follow up, and provide any post-grant reporting that might be required.
Charitable fund raising compliance issues
Some local chapters might not be aware of California State guidelines that cover charitable fund raising. Two separate State laws apply:
· The Non-Profit Integrity Act of 2004. This Act prohibits misrepresentations when soliciting donations
· Business and Professions Code Section 17510(a). This State law covers the solicitation of charitable funds from the public. The names of all organizations involved in the fund raising campaign must be disclosed. The percentage of funds raised that will go to charity must be stated on all fund raising literature. And, the organization cannot retain more than 50% of the funds raised for administrative purposes.
The applicable regulations are posted on CAHU's website at http://www.cahu.org/. Local chapter Presidents can call the CAHU Foundation with questions or they can visit the California Attorney General’s website at http://ag.ca.gov/charities/publications.php for more information.
Chapter Raffles
California State law significantly regulates raffles. Many local chapters are not familiar with these regulations. Therefore, the Foundation is currently exploring the possibility of registering directly with the Department of Justice to serve as an umbrella for local all CAHU chapters that want to conduct raffles within these regulations. This will increase the Foundation’s annual reporting obligations but any extra burden might be more than offset by the service it provides to local chapters. However, the Foundation first needs to determine if this is feasible before proceeding.
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