The Leota Braun Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Endowment funds are funds to be held in perpetuity by the Foundation and from which the income will go to the support of specified purposes of the endowment on a permanent basis. These are permanent funds that will be supported by the endowment rather than be dependent upon continuing contributions.

Pass-through funds will be collected as charitable contributions by the Foundation for the benefit of specific causes or projects in the involved communities. The intent of these funds is that they will be established temporarily for the completion of a specific project or series of activities.  Eventually these funds may be completely exhausted upon completion of the intended activities.

Named endowment fund may be created by a donor, created as a memorial to a person or event, or created for a cause or for specific beneficiaries. These funds will carry the name of the donor, honoree, or beneficiary and must grow to an amount that will guarantee their permanence within a period of ten years. Donors should contact the Foundation for current specific requirements to establish this type of fund.

The Foundation maintains both endowment and pass-through funds in several fields of interest to benefit various areas of the communities it serves. Donors may make contributions in any amount to any of these funds at any time. Field of interest funds are defined on the following pages.

The Community Development Fund exists to help fund projects that improve, protect, beautify, and/or preserve a community's architecture, history, landmarks, parks and recreation, business climate, general safety, tourism, and environmental features and attractions. This fund may support projects including, but not limited to, construction, renovation, procurement, advertising, expansion, and research. Grant requests must demonstrate a benefit primarily to the general community with any benefit to specific individuals, organizations, or business being merely incidental to or necessary for the completion of the desired project or activity.

The Cultural Enrichment Fund may be used to promote and finance activities commonly considered to be fine arts. Examples might include, but not be limited to, musical concerts, drama, plays, and art shows. The funds may be used to attract participants to the community, and to purchase and improve land, buildings, and equipment for use by local non-profit organizations. The income can be used to promote concerts, plays, shows, and other activities that enhance the enjoyment and availability of fine arts in the Foundation's service area.

The purpose of the Education Fund is to improve the literacy level of all ages of the population of the community.  The proceeds may be used for instructional personnel, facilities, books, equipment, and supplies necessary to enhance the educational experience. Education at all levels and for all age groups may benefit from this fund.

The Environment and Conservation Fund will direct benefits to projects that improve the general quality of life through preserving and improving natural environmental conditions within the service area of the Foundation, Grants may be available for such projects as pest control; flood control; improvement of streams and waterways; nature preserves and parks; species protection; wildlife management; emergency warning systems, procedures, and devices; educational programs; tourism and educational activities related to the natural environment; preventing or eliminating environmental hazards; and research involving local environmental issues.

The Foundation ís General Fund shall provide for the daily, efficient, and recurring operations of the Foundation including such needs as statutory, licensing, bonding, and legislative requirements; memberships, fees, professional meetings, and subscriptions for the benefit and growth of the Foundation; travel and meeting expenses approved by the Board of Directors for the official business and benefit of the Foundation; promotional and advertising expenses; contract fees for the services of outside consultants, accountants, and legal advisors; rental expenses connected with the Foundation's operations and meetings; maintenance and operational expenses associated with property owned and/or administered by the Foundation; taxes; and expenses resulting from the solicitation of funds or bequests.

The Fund for Handicapped and Special Needs may be used to assist persons with handicaps and other unusual physical or mental situations to enhance their quality of life. Examples for this fund's consideration might include ramps and other accessibility equipment that enhance mobility or access to buildings and other sites; transportation and housing for persons with special needs and their families; and food, clothing, and shelter for those who have lost their physical belongings because of various casualties or disasters.

The Health Care Fund is maintained to assist improvement of and additions to health care opportunities for residents and institutions of the communities served by the Foundation. Grants will be made for such purposes as health care facilities and equipment upgrades and improvements, education and procurement of personnel for various health care fields, providing for medical relief in disaster and other public emergency situations, funding research, and other areas as deemed worthy by the Board of Directors. Beneficiaries of this fund shall be located in the geographic area served by the Foundation, be firmly and/or legally committed to locating within the area, or be of service to a significant number of persons who reside in the general service area of the Foundation.

The proceeds of the Parks and Recreation Fund will be used for the financing of public parks in the communities.  Funds may be expended for such things as land purchase, infrastructure installation and improvements, buildings and building improvements, installation and maintenance of athletic and recreational facilities and equipment for the benefit of the general public. The fund may finance projects including park benches, landscaping, and other items to make the park areas pleasing and functional for the enjoyment of the general public. This fund may also help finance  professional or non-professional, recreational activities and sporting events that benefit community groups or causes.

The Research Fund will offer grants to those individuals, groups, companies, or institutions who intend to use the results of their research for the betterment of the service areas of the Foundation. Such studies may be related to infrastructure, environment, business development, environmental issues, health care issues of the population, education and educational projects, and/or demographic data where results will be used for some form of community improvement. Grant requests submitted must demonstrate that the results of the research will be used most significantly for community improvement, rather than mostly to benefit an individual, group, business, or specific charity.

The Scholarships Fund is for scholarships, loans, and grants for individual students to aid them in attending post-secondary educational programs. It may include payments for tuition, books, fees, transportation, room, and board to attend colleges and other recognized educational institutions. Scholarships and other financial aid for special events will also be considered.

The Foundation will help fund the sponsorship, promotion, and operation of community and area special events as approved by the Board of Directors including, but not necessarily limited to, parades; picnics; festivals; sporting events; art, historical, literary, musical, theatrical, and similar cultural events; holiday-related activities; and other events involving significant numbers of citizens from the general public. The Foundation may support county, state, national, and international events when it is in the best interests of the Foundation or its service area to do so.

The Foundation will consider involvement with projects, events, and activities not otherwise included in its Field of Interest, Pass-Through, or Named Endowment Funds when the Board of Directors determines that the intention is in the general interest of the community, is charitable in nature, is legally acceptable, and is in accordance with the general principles of the Foundation