George Washington Endowment Fund Board

The George Washington Endowment Fund (GWE Fund) solicits donations, which are placed in a permanent fund whose income is used to support the committees and projects of the National Society SAR.  There are separate committees for soliciting donations, supervising the fund, and disbursing the income.  The GWE Fund was started in 1993 Feb and by early 2005 the investments were worth over $780,000.

CONCEPT:  A George Washington Endowment Funds Board was established by the Executive Committee and approved by the Trustees during the meeting of February 27, 1993.  This action following two years of work by a special Task Force which had been asked to evaluate and propose a plan for NSSAR to provide for the following:

1. Provide for the adequate financial contributions for support of unfunded and underfunded projects and for NSSAR Committees 
2. Provide for the equita ble distribution of f unds
3. Consider a United Appeal approach to minimize the number of separate fund-raising activities at the National level. 

Until the inception of the board, little funding was available to reimburse the approximately fifty (50) committees for administrative purposes or to support their activities.

The GWEFB is directed by a chairman and has both a Fund Raising Committee and a Fund Distribution Committee.

The George Washington Endowment Fund is financed by gifts from members and friends of the SAR.  Gifts contributed to the George Washington Endowment Fund may have their income earmarked for any Special Operating Fund.
 

GENERAL:  The purpose of the GWE Fund is to maintain a continuing program for obtaining and distributing funds to support all National Committee activities and projects, which are the heart of the SAR.  The endowment should grow until the corpus is adequate to support all of the approved activities and projects of the NSSAR.

Each chapter and state society is encouraged to participate.   Each Chapter and Society should appoint a chairman to coordinate the program and to maintain records of all contributors for recognition.

All gifts are important and are tax deductible under the NSSAR's tax exempt status as a 501(c)(3) organization.

Fund-raising activities are conducted at the National level during the Trustee meetings and the annual Congresses.  Chapters and Societies should establish programs to accept donations on a continuing basis.

Compatriots donating $1,000 or more are recognized as George Washington Fellows.  This amount may be paid by installments of $200 or more annually over a five-year period.

Compatriots contributing $25 to $999 annually are entitled to be known as George Washington Patriots.

Each compatriot recognized as a Fellow or a Patriot shall receive a distinctive lapel pin and a certificate denoting their status.  The Vice Presidents General have guidelines to assist chapters and societies in fund raising activities.

The George Washington Fund serves as an "umbrella" under which all gifts to NSSAR and its committees are placed.  Compatriots' contributions over the years have helped to finance a wide variety of programs.
 

GIFTS: Gifts may be in the form of cash, checks, stocks or bonds, or any other asset that you may desire to contribute. Checks should be made out to:

Treasurer General, NSSAR-GWEFB

and either mailed to your State society or Chapter Chairman or to:

Executive Director

National Society, SAR

1000 South Forth Street

Louisville, Kentucky 40203-3292

(502)-589-1776

DISTRIBUTION:  A request for funds is normally submitted by the chairman of the GWE Fund Distribution Committee.  Requests for funds to administer committees or for projects are sent to the distribution committee for approval and/or disapproval.  No more than 80% of the GWE Fund's operating income may be spent in any one year.  Any funds remaining unexpended at the end of the year are returned to the GWE Fund.  The NSSAR Investment Committee is responsible for the investment of all funds.
 

HOWARD HORNE AWARD:   The Howard Horne Award was established and approved by the NSSAR on September 26, 1998.  An award of $500.00 and a gold streamer will be given to the State Society which has the highest ratio of new George Washington Fellows to the State Society's active membership at the start of the year.

The award shall be computed from the period 01 April to 31 March each year.  Judgement shall be by the George Washington Endowment Funds Board.

Societies desiring to participate must submit their entries not later than 01 May each year.  The Delaware Society has funded an endowment that provides $300 per year and the GWE Fund will provide $200 per year for a total of $500.

For more information, contact:

National Society, SAR

1000 South Forth Street

Louisville, Kentucky 40203-3292

(502)-589-1776

A trifold flyer describing the George Washington Endowment Fund, with a form for making donations, is available:
 

George Washington Endowment Fund Pamphlet