Lagrange County Community

“When the draft copy is received from the cpa firm, the foundation's office staff forwards a copy to the audit committee for review. The audit committee is comprised of the executive director, the executive committee and a local cpa, who is not on the board of directors and has no relationship with the foundation, other than volunteering to serve on the audit committee. These individuals may contact the cpa directly with questions. The audit committee submits a verbal report to the executive director, who shares the report with the executive committee. The executive committee then makes a recommendation to the board for their approval. The board also receives a copy of the return prior to filing with the irs.”

“All employees and board members are required to complete a conflict of interest policy annually. Additionally, they are required to complete and sign a disclosure statement that enumerates all professional and personal affiliations to any/all organizations. The office manager reviews the signed statements. If there is a conflict, the member(s) abstain from voting. All of this is documented in the board minutes.”

“The staff gathers prior or current year (whichever is available or most current) information from the following: (1) compensation summary for indiana community foundations from indiana philanthropy alliance, (2) council of foundations grantmakers salary and benefit report, (3) indiana department of workforce development occupations & starting wages report and indiana economic growth region and (4) northeast indiana community foundation region of 11 counties do a regional survey of salaries and benefits of all staff. This report is not done every year, but when available is very useful. The preceding documentation is presented to the executive committee along with the proposed budget. The committee reviews the data and makes a recommendation to the independent board and the independent board approves/rejects the proposals. A copy of the board minutes, compensation summary reports and proposed budget (with salary proposal) are kept for records.”

“Lagrange county community foundation, inc. Makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements available to the public immediately upon request through the foundation's office. Additionally, the financial information is made available in its annual report, which is distributed to the public by mail, electronically and made available on the foundation's website.”

“The mission of the lagrange county community foundation is to inspire and sustain generosity, leadership and service. We connect donors to charitable causes, award grants and scholarships, and support community initiatives to enhance the quality of life in lagrange county.”

“Lagrange county community foundation manages the community impact grants program, a competitive grant award opportunity which provides funding to 501(c)(3) organizations serving lagrange county. Eligible organizations also include government organizations, such as parks, schools and libraries. Grants can be used for project expenses, capital expenditures, capacity building needs, equipment, program expenses and operational expenses. The grants advisory committee reviews applications and makes recommendations to the board of directors. Final decisions are made by the board. The board also reviews community needs and issues; they may award a grant proactively without a recommendation by the grants advisory committee. Community impact grant recipients must sign a grant agreement and submit a final grant report at the project's end. If the grantee wants to use funds differently than presented in the grant agreement, they must request a modification. If the grant is used differently than its intended use, the foundation has the power to request a full refund of the grant.”