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COMMEMORATION FUND PROGRAM
What is the Agape Foundation?
Agape Foundation Fund for Nonviolent Social Change is a non-profit
public foundation founded in 1969 out of opposition to the war in
Southeast Asia. It was founded by pacifists, World War II conscientious
objectors, and anti-Vietnam War activists who wanted to build a
movement that seriously challenged the Pentagon and the American
culture of violence. The Foundation’s purpose is to fund nonviolent
social change organizations committed to peace and justice issues.
Unlike social services that aid and assist individuals, social change
efforts confront the root causes of social problems by challenging
the systems and institutions responsible.
What is a Commemoration Fund?
A Commemoration Fund is a fund established in the name of a specific
person or a specific ideal. Agape then makes grants in the name
of the fund to organization(s) working for peace and social justice.
The Fund can be established as a noncompetitive fund, a competitive
fund or as a combination of the two.
In the first alternative, the donor may exercise the privilege of
making nonbinding recommendations to the Board of Trustees suggesting
which charitable organizations should receive grants from the Fund.
Such suggestions or recommendations must be advisory only and Agape
must retain the final authority to determine the use and distributions
of the Fund. These grants are made to the legal, charitable and
educational work of organizations that fulfill Agape’s mission
of nonviolent social change.
In the second alternative, the Board of Trustees will select the
grantee from a pool of organizations that fit the current funding
priorities.
How does a donor set up a Commemoration Fund?
The donor sends a letter requesting the establishment of a Commemoration
Fund and chooses a noncompetitive, competitive or combined model
of granting. The deadline for receiving requests is the last business
day of the month for review at the next month’s Board meeting.
The staff and Board of Trustees then review the request and, if
approved, send a written agreement that establishes the Commemoration
Fund. Agape will establish the Fund once the donor signs and returns
the agreement to Agape.
How does a Commemoration Fund work?
The donor begins by making a gift in cash or stock to the Fund.
The donor may choose to encourage their friends and family members
to contribute to the Fund. Staff members are available to assist
with these efforts. The donor then chooses to either submit a list
in writing of suggested nonviolent social change organizations (the
noncompetitive model), allow the Board of Trustees to decide who
will receive the Commemoration grant(s) (the competitive model)
or choose a combination of these granting models. As a foundation
that depends on the generosity of individuals, we hope that a donor
will remember Agape when recommending nonviolent social change organizations.If
the donor chooses the noncompetitive model, she/he may also suggest
the amount of the grant as long as it is over $100. After staff
review of the donor’s recommendations and approval by the Board
of Trustees, staff will disburse the grants on the 1st or 15th of
the month.
If the donor chooses the competitive model, the donor may suggest
the amount of the grant as long as it is over $500. The Board will
review all applications in light of current funding priorities and
will decide who will receive the Commemoration grant. The donor
may also suggest that the Board make Commemoration grants only in
specific issue areas, e.g., environmental, nuclear abolition, human
rights, youth empowerment, etc. The Board will make these competitive
grant decisions bi-annually in April and October.
What are Agape’s funding priorities?
Agape will fund tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored
groups that address the issue areas listed below. Agape does not
fund social or direct service organizations unless they have a major
advocacy component. Agape will support the distribution of films/videos
that promote peace and social justice.
• Peace – anti-military/war and anti-nuclear (power, weapons
and waste).
• Human rights – civil rights, lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgendered
rights and women’s rights.
• Environmental protection and justice.
• Economic justice.
• Building economic alternatives, nonviolent conflict resolution,
and alternatives to gang violence.
Agape will consider grants to organizations that meet all of the
following priorities:
• Organizations that promote the use of nonviolence in their
work.
• Organizations that demonstrate a commitment to grassroots
participation.
• Organizations that integrate peace and social justice issues.
• Organizations that are located in California. However, Agape
will consider proposals from organizations in surrounding states.
How does this program benefit the donor?
• Donors can publicly acknowledge individuals and ideals important
to them.
• Donors receive a tax deduction by giving to the Fund.
• Donors need only make a single tax-deductible donation.
• Donors may choose to have Agape receive all correspondence
from the funded organizations.
What does Agape charge for the grant fund?
Agape does not charge for its Commemoration grants, however a 5%
service fee is drawn from all donations made to the fund.
What does the grant recipient have to do?
Organizations that receive a Commemoration grant must sign and return
a grant agreement. The duration of a noncompetitive grant is two
months, a competitive grant, six months. Grantees must complete
a final report describing the use of the funds. Grantees may not
receive additional funds until all required paperwork is received.
Agape will notify recipients of delinquent paperwork. Agape maintains
all records and donors may request copies.
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