GREATER WESTERN RESERVE COUNCIL ENDOWMENT FUND AND THE HERITAGE SOCIETY

CASE STATEMENT: ENDOWMENT, THE FUTURE OF SCOUTING IN NORTHEAST OHIO

An overview of the endowment program and the Heritage Society of the Greater Western Reserve Council, Boy Scouts of America, Warren, Ohio WHAT IS AN ENDOWMENT PROGRAM? An endowment program, whether for Scouting or any other organization, is a plan for the future. Basically, contributions are made to the endowment program in one or more funds, the funds are invested, and the earned interest from those investments may be used for operating, capital, or other purposes as determined by the Board of Directors. In some instances, an endowment fund is restricted to a specific purpose, in which case the propotion of the interest earned in that account is designated for a specific purpose by the Board. The Greater Western Reserve Council has a number of endowment funds, most of which are restricted for a specific purpose. Scholarships/Camperships - Daniel Beard/Jack Daniels Fund; the C.W. & Mary Kay Byers Fund, and the Coleman Campership Fund. Maintenance/Capital Improvements- the Stigwandish Fund, the Coleman Fund (used for the Coleman-Miller Service Center), and the Stambaugh Fund. Operating- the W. D. Packard Trust, the Joe Taucher Memorial Fund, the A.D. Stambaugh Fund, and the general endowment fund. GIVING TO THE ENDOWMENT FUND- There are a number of ways to make a gift to an endowment fund. Gifts may take the form of cash or securities, deferred gifts such as leaving a portion of an estate to the Council to more complicated methods of giving such as annuities and charitiable remaining trusts. It is the policy of this Council to encourage all potential donors to consult with their own tax advisor prior to making any gift to the Council’s endowment fund(s). REGULATION OF THE ENDOWMENT PROGRAM- The Council’s endowment program is implemented through the Vice-President of Endowment. The Vice-President appoints a Committee to assist in the implementation of the endowment program. This includes recommending to the Board the retention of professional advisors to oversee the investment of the funds. The investment of the endowment funds is governed by a document known as the Investment Policy Statement (IPS). This document is developed by the Endowment Committee in consultation with the professional advisors. The IPS guides the professional advisors and the depository banks in the investment criteria as developed by the Committee. The current IPS, as revised, was adopted in October, 2004, by the Board. Under the current IPS, up to a maximum of five percent (5%) of the total interest earned by the investment of the fund, is utilized at the direction of the Board for capital, operating, and special projects for the good of the youth of Northeast Ohio. ANNUAL ENDOWMENT PLAN- The Endowment Committee is responsible for implementing an “Annual Endowment Plan” (Plan). The Plan is developed and adjusted yearly by the Council staff to reflect changing endowment and giving practices, and the needs of the Council. The Plan, developed over the past few years, encompasses the following, and, as noted, is revised each year: Publication of an Endowment newsletter four (4) times per year. The newsletter is mailed to approximately 2,900 individuals, businesses, and Foundations; it is also posted on the Council’s web site. Various mailings are made periodically to specific populations within our data base, eg. Eagle recipients, Silver Beaver Awardees, etc. Outreach - our outreach efforts, other than mailings, entail a number of different methods. We hold at least one major event each year, and we ask our Heritage Society members to host get togethers. In 2005, we hosted a trip for 24 of our volunteers to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. We have made efforts to re-engage the current members of the Heritage Society as well as the members of the Council’s Board. We have a number of brochures, forms, and information pieces available for use in explaining endowment and deferred giving. THE GREATER WESTERN RESERVE COUNCIL HERITAGE SOCIETY An individual or organization that makes any contribution to one or more of the Council’s Endowment Funds is recognized by membership in the Heritage Society. A contribution may be in the form of cash, securities, or a deferred gift. At present, there are four types of recognition for those that make a gift to the Council’s Endowment fund. The levels are a combination of local, Regional, and National recognition levels:

	JAMES E. WEST FELLOWSHIP ENTRY LEVEL - a minimum $ 1,000 gift for each individual to be honored, in cash or securities (such contribution does not diminish or replace that individual’s annual Friends of Scouting gift). BRONZE LEVEL- a minimum gift of at least $ 2,500 in cash or securities. SILVER LEVEL- a minimum gift of $ 5,000 in cash or securities. GOLD LEVEL- a minimum gift of $ 10,000 in cash or securities. PLATINUM LEVEL- a minimum gift of $15,000 in cash or securities.
WILLIAM D. BOYCE SOCIETY - Named after the gentleman that brought Scouting to America, theWilliam D. Boyce Society was created by the Greater Western Reserve Council to recognize an individual or organization that makes a deferred gift to an endowment fund in any amount up to $ 100,000. There are four levels of giving in the William D. Boyce Society: EMERALD LEVEL- $ 5,000 to $ 24,999 RUBY LEVEL- $ 25,000 to $ 50,000 SAPPHIRE LEVEL - $ 50,001 to $ 74,999 DIAMOND LEVEL- $ 75,000 to $ 100,000
	THE 1910 SOCIETY -Membership in the 1910 Society is conferred when an individual or organization makes a gift or pledge in cash, securities, land, or other property over a five year period. There are four (4) levels of giving in the 1910 Society: Ernest Thompson Seton, a $ 25,000 minimum gift: Seton was a nationally known artist and naturalist, author of the first official American Scout handbook. Daniel Carter Beard, a minimum $ 100,000 gift: Beard was the first Chairman of the National Court of Honor, national Scout Commissioner, and author of many well-known books and stories for youth. Theodore Roosevelt, a minimum $ 500,000 gift- first Chief Scout Citizen, first Vice-President of the B.S.A., and a President of the United States. Waite Phillips, a minimum $ 1,000,000 gift- one of B.S.A.’s first benefactors, donor of almost 130,000 acres of land in New Mexico, which became Philmont Scout Ranch
	FOUNDERS CIRCLE - The Founders Circle level recognizes deferred gifts to the Endowment program. Gifts on a deferred level may include, but not limited to, a bequest via a will or codicil to a will; a trust document (Uni-trust, annuity trust, or lead trust), a gift of a life insurance policy, or a gift of a BSA annuity or to the BSA Pooled Income fund. There are four (4) levels of membership on the Founders Circle level: BRONZE LEVEL – a minimum $ 100,000 commitment SILVER LEVEL- a minimum $ 250,000 commitment GOLD- a minimum $ 500,000 commitment PLATINUM- a minimum $ 1,000,000 commitment

THE FUTURE... At a time when certain revenue sources, such as United Way giving, have decreased substantially in the last number of years and as people, organizations, Foundations, and businesses are being asked to contribute to a large number of organizations, the Greater Western Reserve Council deems a strong endowment program to be critical to the funding needs of the Council. A strong endowment program, manifested by committments from our supporters and members, will certainly be critical in replacing lost revenue. As of early 2007 the Heritage Society numbers 126 individuals, organizations, Foundations, and businesses. The gifts range from small ($ 50.00) to potentially millions of dollars, either by direct cash gifts or deferred gifts by many different mechanisms. It is critical to the Mission of the Greater Western Reserve Council, to serve youth with an outstanding program and to provide a critical need in building character and values in each new generation, that an aggressive endowment program be an ongoing part of our fundraising efforts. An endowment program that satisfies the long-term and short-term needs of our supporters, and allows them to see a legacy in their own lifetime, is critical to our growth and our Mission. The Board, volunteers, and staff of the Greater Western Reserve Council, Boy Scouts of America, are available to assist any individual or organization that wishes to help us fulfill our long-term commitment to our Mission through a gift to the endowment program. We can assist by providing information and other documents for use in selecting the most advantageous method of leaving a legacy. Should you require assistance, or wish to receive information, please contact the Greater Western Reserve Council Scout Service Center at 4930 Enteprise Blvd. NW, Warren, OH 44481; 800-234-7268.

HERE IS HOW TO HONOR A FORMER OR CURRENT SCOUTER?

DO SO WITH A JAMES E. WEST FELLOWSHIP!

An integral part or the Greater Western Reserve Council’s Endowment program is to promote and expand the James E. West Fellowship Awards. Named after the first Chief Scout Executive, the James E. West Award is a national recognition for those who contribute $ 1,000 or more in cash or securities to the GWRC Endowment Fund. This gift cannot diminish or replace a Friends of Scouting contribution. Though the West Fellowship is a national program, all of the money stays in the Council!

Organizations, troops, packs, or a group of individuals, may honor one of their own, whether departed or living, with a James E. West Award. The person so honored then becomes a West Fellow and a member of the Heritage Society. Since 1993, just under $ 50,000 has been contributed to the Endowment program through James E. West Fellowship Awards.

The funds contributed to the James E. West Fellowship Award program stay in the Greater Western Reserve Council, to serve your scouts through scholarships, financial assistance, capital improvements, and the operation of our three camps.

Here is an opportunity to honor one of your own and to help out Scouting in northeast Ohio!

YES, I WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
THE GREATER WESTERN RESERVE ENDOWMENT PROGRAM.

Please use the form above or email Keith Douglass, Greater Western Reserve Council, 4930 Enterprise Blvd. NW, Warren, Ohio 44481. Thank you.

THE FOLLOWING ENDOWMENT FUNDS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED BY THE GREATER WESTERN RESERVE COUNCIL
FUND	PURPOSE
Stigwandish Endowment	Maintenance and Capital Improvements
W. D. Packard Trust	Operating
Coleman Service Center Endowment	Maintenance and Capital Improvements
Daniel Carter Beard/Jack Daniels Endowment Fund	scholarships/camperships
CW & Mary K. Byers Campership	Camperships
Coleman Campership Fund	Camperships
Joe Taucher Memorial	Operating
A.D.Stambaugh Fund	Operating
Stambaugh Endowment	Maintenance and Capital Improvements
Council General Endowment	Operating

For further information call Keith Douglass, Development Officer, at the Council Service Center, 800-234-7268, ext. 20.