By Darian Neubecker, Trustee and Treasurer
The Royal Oak Civic Foundation is an IRS approved 501(c)3 charity. We were created by the City of Royal Oak, which approves our board of directors. Beyond that, we operate independently and professionally.
Because we are linked to the city, we have relationships with its departments and staff. We listen to them to identify their wishes and can make sure they fulfill our grant requirements. This relationship benefits both the city and the foundation.
Our professional, hands-on board of directors raises money, approves and monitors a budget monthly, approves all grants and assures that we meet all legal obligations. Board members are all top-notch volunteers with a diverse set of professional backgrounds that were recruited by the foundation. They come from industries or professions that give the subject matter expertise the foundation needs: Finance, nonprofit management, government, law, marketing, charitable giving. Most importantly, most board members live or do business in the Royal Oak community whose foundation they oversee so the success of the foundation is core to them.
We have other capabilities In addition to individual giving and grantmaking.
- In addition to the Community Benefit Fund we receive and distribute donations donors make directly to the projects they cherish.
- Foundations that can only donate to 501(c)3 recipients can help the city by granting through the foundation. The foundation received and disbursed a $250,000 grant from the Erb Family Foundation for our arboretum: planting trees, building paths and providing equipment and resources used by the Royal Oak Nature Society.
- We accept and assure accountability for major gifts to the city. In the coming years the foundation plans to work with the city to identify a significant capital improvement project and launch a campaign to fund it.
- We will work individually with donors who desire to make a legacy gift to the foundation. Your tax advisor will recommend the best strategy to meet your personal financial needs while maximizing the benefits to the city.
All donations to the foundation are deductible to the extent allowed by the Internal Revenue Service.
