<< return to OTHER CLUB INFORMATION

 Bequests for The Heritage Fund

The Heritage Fund (HF) Committee

In 2009, the MGC established the Heritage Fund (HF), a fund created by donations and bequests from its members and friends in order to honor other members, family, friends, and/or pay tribute to the work of the club.

In 2021, an ad hoc HF committee was created to define the Fund’s goals and procedures. In May 2022, the HF became a Standing Committee under Bylaws Article III Section II Board of Directors.  

It is understood that a) HF projects are intended for a significant project outside the realm of the Civic Improvement awards; b) HF grants are not meant to be annual  and will be made available when sufficient funds have accumulated in the HF account; c) no HF moneys will be used for MGC or awardee’s operating expenses; and d) proposals for HF funds will be in accordance with the objectives of the MGC as stated on page one of the Yearbook. 

The maximum amount of the award/s available is based on the balance of this Fund on July 1 of the FY when the Award is granted minus the minimum account balance of $2,500. Thus, the current balance available as of June 1, 2024, is $33,383.09.  

Members’ donations and/or bequests will be acknowledged annually in Dig This. 

Grant Proposal Submissions and Guidelines

Any Millbrook Garden Club Active Member who is not a Member of the HF Committee may initiate Heritage Fund grant proposals at any time. 

The process for initiating a HF grant proposal is the following: 

MGC Active Member will contact the HF Committee Chair to discuss the suitability of a project. Then, on the majority approval of the HF Committee, the proposing member and required seconder may submit their grant proposal in PDF format to the current HF Committee Chair with the following information: 

  1. A narrative of the project, including specific needs and impact on the community/: served by the organization;

  2. A complete budget, including time-line for completion and identification of other sources of funds (if any) to create and/ or maintain project; 

  3. Photographs, as well as a relevant selection of brochures, newsletters, and/or publications, which add scope to the project and the organization;

  4. A mission statement of the organization and its website address, if available;

  5. Current proof of the organization’s IRS 501(c)(3) status;

  6. Current audited financials of the organization, if available;

  7. Information relating to corporate governance of the organization, members of board and supporting members, such as a current annual report.

When the HF Committee deems a proposal worthy of a two-thirds vote, the proposal will be presented during the April to November Membership Meeting schedule to the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, and the Membership for a vote. A two-thirds vote at every level is required to approve the grant.  

Completed Proposal Submission

After assembling the items listed above, the proposer should email the grant proposal PDF to the Chair of the HF Committee: Alison Granucci at AlmaGentiana@icloud.com.   

Proposals may be submitted any time during the fiscal year.

BEQUESTS

Members have raised questions regarding how to include the Millbrook Garden Club in their wills. Below are examples of such language, which was suggested to us by a Trusts and Estates lawyer of a major New York City law firm, and which is used by a well-known New York City non-profit, organization. This language is for informational purposes and only acts as a guide.

PRE-RESIDUARY BEQUEST

I give the sum of ___________XXXX Dollars ($_________ ), to The Millbrook Garden Club (an IRC Section 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization) The Heritage Fund, to be used for general purposes.

RESIDUARY PROVISION

I give all the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, real or personal, of whatever nature and wherever located, to which I am in any way entitled at my death, including any legacy or devise which may lapse or be invalid or for any other reason fail to take effect and any disclaimed property under I.R.C. 2518(b) (but excluding any property over which I have at my death any power of appointment or disposal, it being my intention not to exercise such power by this Will) as follows:

______percent ( ___%) thereof to The Millbrook Garden Club (an IRC Section 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization) The Heritage Fund, to be used for its general purposes.