Obadiah Browns Benevolent Fund

“The approval of the 990 was delegated to the Board to the President, the Treasurer and the Head of our Finance Committee all of whom have reviewed and approved this filing. All Trustees are provided a copy of the 990 prior to filing”

“They were available, but nobody requested to see them.”

“The governing documents for the organization are a matter of public record. 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 March 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 renumeration or perquisites of any kind. The fund has no employees. Other than its investment assets and checking 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 fundamental purpose or activities since its inception in 1823.”

“Approved by Treasurer, The Clerk (President) and the head of the Finance Committee”