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One And All

BOWBeyond Our Walls

Congregational UpdateJanuary 26th, 2014

BOW consists of two programs:1. Monthly Split Plate

2. BOW grant- awarded in MayAccording to the policy from February 2011In the spring of 2014, a new or renewed plan for BOW's continuation would be considered. A congregational vote is required for continuation or changes to BOW funding policies in 2014.

Purpose of Today’s DiscussionGive the congregation information about these two programs and their recipients.

Receive feedback and suggestions from the congregation on how to move forward with these programs.

Using the input from today, the committee and two people from finance will make a proposal to the board regarding going forward. This will be voted on at the spring congregational meeting.

Why do we have a philanthropy program?Our principles tell us to connect our worship and stewardship to a real world expression of our values. It is generosity that expresses gratitude for our abundance.

Many people feel that together our congregation’s focused donations can do more to heal the world than if we individually donate in small amounts to various charities.

UUFH is known through our work in our community. When we are searching for a minister or DRE, Beyond Our Walls shows our commitment to our community.

Beyond Our Walls Mission

The BOW Committee uses its financial resources to support UUFH members in working toward social justice and social service in the larger community.

The Committee shall: • Accept and evaluate written proposals from congregants for events/projects which will further the BOW mission. They will make recommendations to the Board of Trustees for approval.

• Publicize, promote, foster and develop ideas within the congregation to further their work.

Split PlateProcess:• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Requirements include having a member involved in the charity.

• The mission of the charity must be in alignment with UU principals. This allows for funding social justice, humanitarian relief, animal and environmental protection.

• Allows for rapid response to evolving needs (e.g. “Sandy” and the fire in Burundi)

Split Plate Recipients 2011Recipient Amount

Jan 2011 The Workplace Project $1197

Feb 2011 H2Empower $1200

Mar 2011 Planned Parenthood of Hudson $1161

Apr 2011 Housing Help $1169

May 2011 Soldier’s Project $1566

June 2011 Gay and Lesbian Switchboard $1314

July-Aug 2011

Family Service Backpack project $1317

Sept 2011 Hurricane Irene $950

Oct 2011 Burundi Literacy Project $1025

Nov 2011 Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence $1105

Dec 2011 Have a Heart Children’s Cancer Center $824

Total $12,818

Split Plate Recipients 2012Recipient Amount

Jan 2012 Huntington Food Council $1200

Feb 2012 NAACP Huntington $1565

Mar 2012 LI Coalition for Homeless $877

Apr 2012 Pederson Krag Center/food pantry $1949 (note special donation from congregant)

May 2012 Herstory Project $990

June 2012 Tri Community Youth Agency $921

July-Aug 2012 Sweetbriar Nature Center/ playground project

$921

Sept 2012 Project LEAD $992

Oct 2012 UUUNO $1121

Nov 2012 H2Empower $1420

Dec 2012 Community Food Council $2737

Total $13,772

Split Plate Recipients 2013Recipient Amount

Jan 2013 H2Empower $1587Feb-Mar 2013 CERG - Sandy Relief fund -through UUA $2054

Apr 2013 Burundi-fire relief $2499May 2013 Smile in a Bag $887June 2013 Sophia Fahs Scholarship $1237July-Aug 2013 Centre for Arts, Haiti $1469Sept 2013 Love Yourself Project $797Oct 2013 UN-UUA $988Nov 2013 Splashes of Hope $694Dec 2013 Community Food Council $2,245

Total $14,457

SummarySplit plate donations for 3 years = $38,802

75% of charities were local organizations.

Committee recommends no changes to the split plate program.

Split Plate - Suggestions and CommentsUU-UNOThe Center for the Arts

Smile in a Bag

BOW GrantThe BOW grant is awarded to a few organizations based on applications accepted in the spring.

The committee reviews applications and considers heavily: Is a congregant actively involved in the charity? Can the congregation get involved in the work of the charity? Can the charity complete the project without our support? What is their tax-exempt status?

Grants are awarded in May.

Those charities not awarded a grant may be considered for a Split Plate.

How is the Grant Money Funded?1. Funding is allocated based upon gross pledges actually paid to the UUFH operating budget in the previously completed fiscal year.

2. Funding for BOW will be allocated as the sum of the following: a. 1% of the total amount paid (see above) b. 10% of amount paid in excess of $300,000 but less than $350,000 c. 15% of amount paid in excess of $350,000

3. Unspent funds would be carried forward and available in successive fiscal years.

How much does that amount to?• 2012 amount was $7,069

Gateway Park Garden/LICAN= $1430Literacy Suffolk= $4000VIBS LGBT Outreach= $1500Sweetbriar Nature Center= $300(amount total $7230 includes a reserve left over from previous year)

• 2013 amount was $5870Give to grow Garden= $770Gateway Garden/LICAN= $1,000Holiday House Science Camp= $1,400Soldier’s Project- Women’s R&R= $2,200($500 held for Dutabare Foundation HIV/AIDS project)

• 2014 amount is $4,650

BOW builds a computer room in Ethiopia

Helen Boxwill

2007-06-23 19.08.15 - Shortcut.lnk

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Joys and Concerns• We are proud and overjoyed to support our community

with grant money. The organizations supported have specific programs that were made possible from our grants. Several organizations have relied on our continued support.

• Currently, the grant amount and the split plate are not that much different. The grant, however, does allow us to fund more than the twelve Split Plate charities per year. The grant process is more competitive.

Moving ahead….

The BOW committee proposes the following options:

Option 1:

Keep the grant program the same, and revisit it again in three years.

This will allow for adjustments in funding, with hope that our pledge contributions are up.

Option 2:

Keep the grant program as is, but make a grant to only ONE organization per year.

Option 3:

Keep funding as is, but hold on to the grant money for two years so we can give bigger grants.

This will enable us to increase both the information required on the application and the feedback requirements after the grant is awarded.

Option 4:

Eliminate grant program (keep the split plate) and revisit in two to three years to see if the economy and pledges have increased.

Moving ahead….

The BOW committee proposes the following options:

1) Keep the grant program the same, and revisit it again in three years.

2) Keep the grant program as is, but make a grant to only ONE organization per year.

3) Keep funding as is, but hold on to the grant money for two years.

4) Eliminate grant program (keep the Split Plate).

BOW GrantDiscussion

Holiday House Science CampGateway Garden/LICAN

Women’s R&R

Give to Grow GardenDutabare Foundation HIV/AIDS project

Final Notes and Feedback

Go In Peace