Draft of Pasadena Audubon Society Grants, donations, and scholarships policy

Pasadena Audubon Society is a non-profit corporation that needs to have a process for making donations to other organizations, groups and individuals that is fair, accountable and clearly defined. The purpose of this document is to outline policies and procedures Pasadena Audubon Society will follow in making unsolicited donations and handling request for donations to support various facilities, organizations or causes.

Five categories of request for funds have been used by Pasadena Audubon Society:

1. SCHOLARSHIPS – To support Pasadena Area birders, teachers, others to help attend conferences, attend classes or workshops, or study ornithology.

2. RESEARCH GRANTS THAT COLLECT DATA to SUPPORT THE CORE MISSION OF PASADENA AUDUBON SOCIETY - BIRDING, HABITAT CONSEVATION AND EDUCATION.

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3. GRANTS TO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS – For specific uses with a requirement for feedback and accountability for use of the funds.

4. UNRESTRICTED DONATIONS -- To support various deserving organizations to support their organization missions. Examples include Eaton Canyon Nature Center and Owens Valley Committee. Birdathon money raised for specific causes supported by Pasadena Audubon Society has been directed to specific organizations via this mechanism.

5. RESTRICTED DONATIONS – For specific projects or uses with a requirement for feedback. Example: Eaton Canyon Nature in a Box program supporting bird taxidermy.

Application process

Applications for Scholarships, Research Grants or Grants to Local Organizations are submitted to the Pasadena Audubon Society Board in a letter format that outlines the proposed project or scholarship with a time period of performance, a clearly identified responsible individual, a proposed budget for the donation and a justification for the requested donation. At least one Board member will serve as the sponsor for the application to facilitate presentation of the application to the board and to be the point of contact. The applicant is responsible for engaging a Board member as a sponsor. If a member of the Board is making an application they will be excused from the voting process.

At a subsequent Pasadena Audubon Society Board meeting, the application will be presented and a decision made by the Board to seek clarifications, to fund or not fund the project for a specific amount, or to defer funding.

The plan for making Pasadena Audubon Society membership aware of the program for Grants, donations, and scholarships needs to be defined but could include annual announcements at general meetings, Pasadena Audubon Society Website and in the Wrentit.