Frequently Asked Questions (updated 03/25/08)

 

General information:

Q: What is the mission of the Steve Glidden Foundation (SGF) ?
 A: SGF's mission is to realize the unfulfilled promise of Steve’s life, to honor his enthusiastic and generous spirit, and to preserve his memory as a blessing to all, by creating, promoting and supporting charitable projects that embody the values that guided Steve’s brief but very full life.

Q: What does the Steve Glidden Foundation (SGF) do with the money it raises?
A: SGF supports the needs of children exposed to domestic violence, as well as those who are refugees or homeless, by providing summer camp scholarships and support for unmet healthcare needs. SGF does not operate its own summer camp or healthcare facility. Instead, we provide financial support directly to carefully selected camps and indirectly through other eligible organizations. Our focus is on helping children living in the New England area.

Q: How does the Steve Glidden Foundation (SGF) raise money?
A: We raise money through individual donations; by participating in community fairs and events; and through a variety of ongoing initiatives such as Steve-Bay (our own little charity auction site), a perpetual bottle and can redemption drive, and the sale of Entertainment coupon books. We also sell SGF shirts, mugs and tote bags through the website and at community events. Our biggest annual fundraiser is the enormous SGF Yard Sale, which in past years has generated over $10,000 in addition to being a ton of fun.

Q: How much of the money raised in any given year gets disbursed as scholarships and other support?
A: The money we give out in grants approximates what we generate in interest and dividends on our endowment. As the endowment grows, we are able to increase the amount of the scholarships. Since its beginning in 2001, SGF has provided nearly $120,000 in scholarships. For the summer 2007 season, we disbursed nearly $26,000 to three different camps and programs.

Q: The need is so great. Why focus on an endowment? Why don't you just distribute all of the money you raise?
A: We want the organizations we support and the children they serve to be able to depend on us, year after year. An endowment provides the type of security and longevity over time that the children and the camps desperately need. As of March 2008, we are over half way towards our endowment goal of $1 million. Once we reach the $1 million mark, the trustees will seek community input as we decide on next steps and possible new directions for our philanthropy.

Q: What if I want to make a donation and "earmark" it to be spent in a specific year for a specific program?
A: Most donors prefer that their generosity benefit all of our programs. That said, we would certainly honor individual donor requests, should they arise. A number of donors have earmarked their contributions to Camp Winona in Bridgton, ME, and we therefore will be able to increase our scholarship funding to honor these earmarked requests.

Q: Can I make a donation in honor of someone's birthday, anniversary, bar or bat mitzvah, confirmation, graduation or other occasion? How about in memory or someone's passing, or in prayer for their recovery?
A: Absolutely. Every donation made in honor of, or in memory of, is noted in the "Gifts and Grants" section of the website. Each honored person or bereaved family receives a personal acknowledgement from us, noting the source of the honorary or memorial contribution (but not the amount). The donor receives a copy of the letter we send to the honoree or family. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent permissible bylaw.

The SGF Summer Camp Scholarship Program

Q: Who received grants from SGF during the 2007 summer season?
A: In 2007, SGF provided grants to three organizations that enabled several dozen children who are refugees, homeless, or exposed to domestic violence, and who have a serious financial hardship, to enjoy top-quality summer day and overnight camp experiences – Winona Camps for Boys in Bridgton, Maine; Wyonegonic Camp for Girls in Denmark, Maine; and the Higher Ground program of the Newton Community Service Center.

Our grant to Higher Ground. enabled 5 promising teens to attend an intensive 2-week "Outward Bound-style" experience. At Camp Winona, a combination of earmarked and endowment funds allowed us to sponsor 11 children, selected by Camp Director Al Ordway, to attend Camp Winona.  Each spring, we ask “Uncle Al,” whom Steve adored, to select the SGF awardee.  Uncle Al selects a child who is a refugee from a war-torn country, such as Sudan, who can benefit most from a summer at Winona and who also is very “Steve-like” in personality (outgoing, friendly, enthusiastic, wide-eyed and eager to try just about anything).  Our grant to Camp Wyonegonic allowed us to provide scholarship support for one additional child.

Q: Tell me more about the inidivual children you support. What are their names, ages and backgrounds, and why do they need SGF's help?
A: If only we could act like the Jimmy Fund and other organizations that touch people's hearts with photos and profiles of the children they serve. Alas, out of concern for the safety and individual dignity of these kids and their families, we cannot do this. Each and every one of the children we help has been through way too much trauma already, be it from living in a home affected by domestic violence, fleeing from war as a refugee, or suffering indignity and disruption from homelessness. In addition, the physical safety of children (and their siblings and mothers) exposed to domestic violence could be compromised if their identities were disclosed. To the extent possible considering privacy and safety issues for the kids and their families, we are glad to share general profiles and vignettes to help our supporters understand the tremendous good that their donations accomplish.


The SGF Kid Corps:

Q: Do I have to have been a friend of Steve's to be in the Kid Corps?
A: No, not at all. Anyone can be in the Kid Corps. The youngest members are barely walking and the oldest members are in college.

Q: Can I be in the Kid Corps if I'm older than college age?
A: Not at the moment, but if you write and ask the Kid Corps to start a "Kids at Heart" division, I'm sure they'd say yes!

Q: Does it cost anything to be in the Kid Corps?
A: There is no membership fee at all.

Q: If I join the Kid Corps, do I have to take part in SGF activities?
A: Kids should only do what they feel comfortable doing and have time for. You are welcome to participate in any Foundation or Kid Corps events or activities, as long as it is OK with your parents and doesn't interfere with your schoolwork.

Q: Why do you want parents' names, email addresses and phone numbers for every Kid Corps member?
A:We want to make sure that your parents are aware of and approve of what you are doing with the Steve Glidden Foundation Kid Corps. Plus, sometimes we need parent help to get Kid Corps kids to and from events. We send an email to the Kid Corps parents every time we send an email to the Kid Corps.

Q: Aren't a lot of the kids in the SGF Kid Corps Steve's age and therefore graduating from high school? Will you be able to continue what you are doing once so many Kid Corps members go off to college?
A: We have always welcomed new Kid Corps members and hope to continue to do so. Please get in touch if you are interested in finding out more about the SGF Kid Corps or want to join!


Financial information:

Q: Is the Steve Glidden Foundation a publicly recognized, registered charity?
A: Yes. SGF is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Q: I want to make a donation but I need to know SGF's Federal Tax ID number. How can I find this out?
A: The Federal ID# of the Steve Glidden Foundation is 04-3565429

Q: How much money have you raised so far?
A: As of March 2008 we have raised over $500,000.

Q: Why are you endowing the funds you raise?
A: By creating an endowment, we can fund scholarships and other worthy activities for years and years to come.

Q: How much of what you raise goes towards salaries, overhead and administrative costs?
A: Virtually every dollar that we raise goes directly into the mission of the Steve Glidden Foundation. We have no paid staff and most of our supplies are donated. Other than the annual state filing fee of $35 plus a few bucks here and there for postage and miscellaneous supplies, we have very little in the way of expenses. We even hand deliver most of our donation acknowledgement letters to save postage!

Q: That's great, but if I donate $100, for example, how much of that actually goes to the Foundation's mission - i.e., the SGF Summer Camp Scholarship Program?
A: Steve's legacy is one of honesty, altruism and compassion. We honor his values in many ways, one of which is by handling donor dollars with the utmost of integrity. SGF Trustees cover every penny of SGF's administrative and overhead expenses (and much more) out of their own personal contributions. Therefore, 100% of donations go to support programs. In addition, a portion of SGF's funds are invested in a diversified, financially conservative and rigorously monitored manner (note: we do not allow investments in tobacco or firearms-related companies). SGF Trustees confer regularly (sometimes several times per week) to discuss and fine-tune the Foundation's investment portfolio. Every $1.00 donated to SGF generates approximately $1.04 in funds that support the Foundation's mission. We take our fiduciary responsibilities very seriously and are proud of how we handle donor contributions, and of the results we have achieved.


Donating by credit card:

Q: I want to make a donation on-line. How can I donate by credit card?
A: Donations can be made on-line either through JustGive.org or via PayPal. Click on "How You Can Help" on the left navigation bar of the SGF home page and then click on "Make a Donation" and then "Donate by Credit Card." To donate via PayPal, use our email address: sgf@stevegliddenfoundation as the payee. Call or email if you have any questions.



Do you have a question that we haven't answered? Please let us know by email at sgf@stevegliddenfoundation.org.

 

 

The Steve Glidden Foundation
PO Box 711, Newton Centre, MA 02459