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| Standard Name: | Church and Project Fund Standard |
|---|---|
| Relevant Standard: | Grant-Making Standard |
| Creation Date: | 8/23/2023 |
| Last Review Date: |
Purpose
Provide guidance on establishingproject and church funds.
Scope
This standard applies to all church and project funds.
Policy Supporting This Standard
Standard Statement
The Reliant Board of Directors delegates Reliant leadership the authority to approve church and project funds to further Reliant’s tax-exempt purposes by establishing these new funds, in a matter compliant with applicable laws and regulations and according to the requirements outlined below. If deemed necessary by Reliant leadership, the Reliant Board may be asked for their additional approval. The Program Team will oversee all church/project fund requests, including obtaining approvals, coordinating with relevant departments, and finalizing fund setup.
Partnership:
All church and project funds must be vetted first by the Program Team lead to confirm the church/ministry partnership with Reliant (a Memo of Understanding has been signed) and to confirm that this request is one that they believe Reliant should move forward on.
Restricted church/project funds may be requested by Reliant partners regardless of whether that partner has Reliant employees/associates. Unrestricted church/project funds may only be created for partners who have Reliant employees/associates due to the purpose of the fund.
Purpose:
Unrestricted Church/Project Fund: The Program Team will review and approve every unrestricted church and project fund request as the sole purpose of these designated funds (accounts) is to absorb leftover funds (money) from exited staff that were a part of their church/ministry (typically for residencies/internships) and use those funds to help support other staff at the same church/ministry who need assistance with raising support. Any partner within any program team may create an unrestricted church/project fund for this purpose. Exit transfers must follow the order of eligibility (outlined in Exiting MTD Funds Transfer) for exit funds distribution.
Restricted Church/Project Fund: The Director of Organizational Affairs will review for approval every restricted church and project fund request to confirm the purpose of the fund is in alignment with Reliant's tax-exempt purpose. If secondary approval is deemed necessary by the Director of Organizational Affairs, it will be sent to the Chief Financial Officer. If the purpose varies too greatly from the normal purpose requests or from Reliant's original tax-exempt purpose, Reliant Board approval may be deemed necessary.
The Director of Organizational Affairs will also confirm that the proposed budget categories included on the restricted church/project fund request for fund distribution through grants are in alignment with the fund purpose given.
If the sole purpose of a church/project fund is to support the funding of a Designated Grantee, the name of the Reliant project fund must be the church/project name and not the name of the Designated Grantee. Contributions given to the church/project fund are not considered personal gifts for the Designated Grantee. All contributions are the sole property of Reliant Mission; Reliant’s desire is to honor the donor preference of the contribution but Reliant has complete discretion and control over the use of the donated funds as part of our 501(c)3 status.
Projected Amount:
Required approval related to the projected amount of the church/project fund is as follows:
- Funds projected to receive under $25,000 annually are approved by the Director of Organizational Affairs.
- Funds projected to receive between $25,000 and $100,000 annually require approval from the Director of Organizational Affairs and the Chief Financial Officer.
- Funds projected to receive over $100,000 annually require approval of the Reliant board. The Director of Organizational Affairs will create a request for board submittal.
Reliant does not hold the fund to this pre-approved projected amount, it is simply used as a boundary for initial approval of the fund.
Fundraising:
Any Reliant employee/associate may raise funds on behalf of a church/project fund.
A U.S. citizen who is not a Reliant employee/associate must become an associate with Reliant in order to raise church/project funds on behalf of Reliant. Associates are eligible to submit church/project fund reimbursements and grant requests.
Foreign nationals may raise support as an affiliate fundraiser for a church/project fund on behalf of Reliant under the conditions that the foreign national:
- Work alongside an existing Reliant partnership.
- Be identified and vouched for by a Reliant worker or church/ministry partner.
- Complete an assessment and application that is reviewed and approved by the Program Team.
- Be vetted using the OFAC Watchlist Verification.
- Complete training for raising church/project funds on behalf of Reliant and be officially deputized.
- Complete a dual solicitation agreement (Dual Solicitation) if raising funds for both Reliant and another organization.
| Note |
|---|
Foreign nationals may raise funds on behalf of the church/project fund and do not receive an individual MTD fund number. |
Roles:
The Reliant Point Person is either a Reliant employee/associate (preferred) or if the partner does not have employees with Reliant, a vetted individual from the church/ministry assigned to run point as the main contact for the church/project fund. The Reliant Point Person receives and distributes monies on behalf of the church/ministry to any Designated Grantees. All church/project funds are required to have an individual assigned as the Reliant Point Person.
The Authorized Signer(s) is the individual(s) who is authorized to approve transfers, reimbursements, grants, and other payments from the church/project fund. The names of the Authorized Signers may be found on the Accounts Payable Signing Authority List.
The Designated Grantee(s) is a foreign national receiving monies distributed from the church/project fund.
Approval:
All approvals including approval from the Reliant board must be received prior to church/project fund creation.
Project funds whose sole purpose is to fund Designated Grantees will not be officially created until the Designated Grantees associated with the fund have been approved.
Approval authorizes the solicitation and receipt of any funds for the approved recipient’s projects. Designated contributions generally will be honored, but Reliant shall retain full discretion over the ultimate expenditure or use of those contributions and retains the right to discontinue funding at any time.
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