Statement of Purpose, Policy, and Procedure 

Statement of Purpose, Policy, and Procedure as amended on March 28, 2015 

Purpose 

The purpose of the MBT Foundation is charitable grantmaking. The Foundation serves to honor the legacy of Marcia Brady Tucker and encourage philanthropy among its members. 

Policy 

1. It is the policy of the Foundation to involve all interested Foundation members, as defined in the by-laws, in the evaluation and selection of grantees. 

2. Total annual disbursements are budgeted to meet the minimal requirements of IRS regulations. Capital gains are added to principal. 

3. Charitable contributions which are made by members of the Foundation in amounts of not less than $100 may be matched by Foundation grants, up to a 4:1 basis, at the discretion of the donor. The total amount of such matching grants shall not exceed $20,000 annually paid by the Foundation per member. The board must ratify all matching grants annually. 

4. All grants are payable in no more than three years. 

5. Priority is given to grants which exercise leverage and have a multiplying effect in a limited period (e.g. challenge grants, launching new ventures, etc.) rather than to annual operations. Member match grants are excepted. 

6. The minimum grant, other than member match, is $2000. 

7. No grants are made to individuals, and all are made to 501(c)3 registered organizations. 

8. All member grant request forms must include a disclosure of the member’s relationship with the organization and a certification that the request does not fulfill a personal pledge or financial obligation or provide any personal benefit. 

9. All members and employees are required to complete and sign the Conflict of Interest statement as adopted by the Board, update it annually, and comply with the Conflict of Interest Policy. 

Procedure 

1. All match payments are reported to the Board. In order to secure matching grants, members shall: 

a. Furnish evidence of contribution paid 

b. Submit a grant request form specifying the matching payment. 

c. Confirm tax-exempt status of agency 

2. Members shall provide completed grant forms to the Foundation office not less than 30 days prior to a Board meeting. 

3. Copies of grant request materials shall be distributed to members at least two weeks before Board meetings. Consideration of grants not included in this mail distribution shall require approval by a majority of Directors present at meeting. 

4. The member who recommends a grant is responsible for reporting to the Board upon completion of the grant payment period about the use of the grant. 

5. The Foundation will reimburse members for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in travel to the meeting and for lodging, if staying overnight is necessitated. Receipts are required for reimbursement of individual costs of more than $75. The Foundation prefers to receive receipts for reimbursement purposes, but requires them for all over $75, and for lodging. 

Lodging will be reimbursed for the night of the meeting plus one night. In those cases where a member must travel from a radius exceeding 1000 miles to attend a meeting, an additional night of lodging may be provided. Members may extend their traveling away from home for two days in addition to meeting and education days and receive full reimbursement. Longer travel away from home will reduce the percentage of reimbursement, at a rate to be provided by the Administrator in accordance with IRS policy. 

Travel expenses are to be submitted no later than 3 months after the meeting, after which they will not be reimbursed. 

The cost to travel to and from the airport or train station to the MBTF meeting location will be reimbursed at not more than a round trip taxi fare (including tip) for each member. 

6. New members must attend two (2) meetings where grants were proposed before bringing a grant proposal to the Board, and must have their first two (2) grant proposals reviewed by the Grants Review Committee prior to presentation. 

7. Any video presentation is considered to be a part of the time allocated for grant proposal presentation. 

8. A member who has a grant-related conflict will leave the room during the vote on the grant, and, if a Director, will have no vote on the grant. A grant-related conflict exists when a member is involved with the agency in a role beyond donor or alumnus or alumna.