Obadiah Browns Benevolent Fund

“Reviewed by Treasurer with copies sent to Clerk (President) and to head of Finance Committee”

“Available upon Request. Otherwise not published”

“The governing documents for the organization are a matter of public record in Rhode Island. Financial statements are not publicly published. Obadiah Brown's Benevolent Fund was established in accordance with the last will and testament of Obadiah M. Brown dated Mar. 28, 1814 and its codicil dated October 14,1822. Obadiah Brown was a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and his instructions in his will were "To receive and appropriate to benevolent purposes annually, principally for the benefit of our religious society so that it be for the Honour of Trueth, as well as otherwise spreading our religious principles where they are little known". Obadiah M. Brown died on October 15, 1822. In May of 1823, at the request of the original trustees named in Obadiah Brown's will, an act of the Rhode Island General Assembly created a public corporation "The Trustees of the Obadiah Brown Benevolent Fund". As specified in Obadiah Brown's will, all trustees are members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Trustees serve pro bono and receive no remuneration or perquisites of any kind. The fund has no employees. Other than its investment assets and bank account, the fund has no assets of any kind . The fund has no liabilities. All grants are made in accordance with the terms of the will of Obadiah M. Brown. There has been no change to the fund's basic purpose or activities since its inception in 1823.”