[nfbmi-talk] gift fund from mcb policy manual

joe harcz Comcast joeharcz at comcast.net
Wed Sep 8 14:27:13 UTC 2010


 

GIFT FUNDS

The Michigan Commission for the Blind may accept contributions or gifts in cash or otherwise from individuals, associations, or corporations. Contributions and gifts shall be expended as provided by law, in the same manner as monies appropriated for implementing the purpose of this act. The donor of the gift may stipulate the manner in which the gift shall be expended within the guidelines of this act:

A. The Michigan Commission for the Blind is responsible for the agency's gift fund, which is a special account into which gifts, bequests and donations may be received. The purpose of the gift fund is not to relieve the state and federal governments of their responsibilities, but to provide funding for the enrichment of the program. The Michigan Commission for the Blind will insure that priority shall first be given to available state and federal resources. The gift fund may be utilized to capture state, federal, or other funding sources. The purpose of the gift fund is to enable the Michigan Commission for the Blind:

1. To meet certain program goals and objectives which are not otherwise met.

2. To match against additional federal funds

3. To utilize for the acquisition of equipment or special maintenance purchases.

4. To provide a stipend to graduate and undergraduate student interns or practice students who are assigned to work with the Michigan Commission for the Blind staff, with a priority given to those who are blind.

B. To promote the goals and objectives of the gift fund, the Michigan Commission for the Blind State Director or his designee shall have discretionary powers to develop, implement and expend the gift fund monies for this purpose through the public media or other public relations activities.

Procedures

A. The person making the request shall be known as the applicant and the request for the allocation shall be known as the application. The applicant must include all requested information on the application, and show that reasonable efforts have been made to secure funds from other sources or agencies.

1. An allocation from the gift fund may be either in the form of a cash outlay or the direct purchase of services, supplies, materials and equipment to fulfill the request.

2. Any individuals on their own behalf, or that of their group or program, may complete a written application requesting gift fund monies.

B. Applications shall be processed through designated or appropriate Michigan Commission for the Blind staff in accordance with current Michigan Commission for the Blind and Department of Labor and Economic Growth guidelines. The designated or appropriate Michigan Commission for the Blind staff shall maintain a file of all applications received and the final dispensation of each application, and shall insure that all transactions are processed in accordance with this policy, the Department of Labor and Economic Growth and the State of Michigan.

1. Routine applications under $3500 shall be processed within 30 days. Requests exceeding $3500 shall be processed within 60 days, to allow adequate time for Michigan Commission for the Blind Board approval.

2. The gift fund shall not be utilized to reimburse Michigan Commission for the Blind staff or other individuals and agencies that have expended their own personal resources without following the previously stated procedure.

3. The designated or appropriate Michigan Commission for the Blind staff shall be responsible for providing recognition to individuals or groups who have donated to the fund.

C. Appeals may be started within ten working days of the notification date that the application was disapproved. Appeals may be filed in written format, on tape or in Braille. Applicants shall be notified of the final decision regarding their appeals within 30 days of the filing date.

1. Appeals for disapproved applications of $250 or less shall be directed to the Michigan Commission for the Blind State Director or his designee for a final decision.

2. Appeals for disapproved applications over $250 shall be directed to the Michigan Commission for the Blind Board for a final decision.

This policy was approved by the Michigan Commission for the Blind Board at its November 12, 1982 meeting.

 



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