Piper Bulletin November 2009

What's the question you've always wanted to ask a funder? Send your question to editor@pipertrust.org. Staffer Phil Anthropy will answer it in the next issue of Piper Bulletin.

When I submitted a full proposal for a Piper grant, I had to list the percentage of board members who made a personal contribution to the organization and the total amount per year. I lead a small organization, and our board is not able to give a lot of money. Don't you think you are discriminating against boards whose members aren't wealthy?

Phil: The amount of money is not important; it is the level of participation that is. Virginia Piper was concerned about leadership within an organization, both staff and volunteer. When Piper trustees look at the level of commitment and support among an organization's board members, they ask for two measures: the percentage of board members who have contributed financially at any level and an aggregate total of board contributions, and the average attendance at board meetings. These provide objective indicators at a very basic level of board engagement.

How does Piper Trust determine the three-year requirement for an organization being a 501(c)(3)?

Phil: The date designated as the "effective date of exemption" on the IRS ruling letter is the date we go by. Confusion often comes in using the ruling date, also shown on the document, rather than the effective date. I encourage you to verify that the date posted on third-party verifier sites, such as GuideStar, matches the correct date. If the date is not the right one, you should contact the charity-check service and see that the information is changed on your listing.

[Send a question to Phil Anthropy…]