The John Ben Snow Foundation Annual Report 2015 The John Ben Snow Foundation ohn Ben Snow was born and raised in Pulaski, New York, a small village north of Syracuse. JHe graduated from New York University in 1904 and soon thereafter entered F. W. Woolworth & Company. A man of vision, he was attracted to mass market sales and introduced innovative retailing techniques. He rose rapidly through the ranks from stock boy to corporate direc- tor, initially in New York, and finally in Great Britain, where he accumulated a small fortune through hard work, savings and wise investments. After retiring from Woolworth in 1939, Mr. Snow devoted the remainder of his life to building the Speidel chain of newspapers and publishing the Western Horseman. He was fond of animals, especially horses, enjoyed racing, fox hunting, polo and range riding. Throughout his John Ben Snow life, John Ben Snow shared his wealth with relatives, friends, THE DONOR business associates and fellow Pulaskians. He gave generously and freely to those persons and causes he cherished. He pre- ferred to “invest” in people, especially the young, by making available financial assistance. He also believed in improving the quality of life in Pulaski and its environs. To further these and other philanthropic causes, he estab- lished The John Ben Snow Foundation in 1948. The Foundation continues to operate under the terms of its origi- nal charter. The charter, granted by the State of New York, authorizes the Foundation to grant funds for educational and humanitarian purposes to qualified organizations. The pres- ent membership of its Board, seven in number, includes per- sons of diverse occupational backgrounds and geographical areas. The Board meets once a year, usually in June, to approve new grants and review previously funded projects. THE JOHN BEN SNOW FOUNDATION • 50 Presidential Plaza Suite 106 • Syracuse, New York 13202 • www.johnbensnow.com 2 THE JOHN BEN SNOW FOUNDATION FUNDING POLICIES GRANT APPLICATION PROCEDURES The John Ben Snow Foundation is a private foundation The Foundation is pro-active in seeking grant proposals governed by federal tax law and accordingly disburses from qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations. Additionally, the funds to tax-exempt organizations approved by the Internal Foundation accepts unsolicited proposals from qualifying Revenue Service (IRS). The geographic focus of the organizations. Foundation has primarily been Central and Northern New An initial letter of inquiry must be submitted via the York State, a policy that reflects the personal wishes of the Foundation’s online grant management system by January founder. 1st of the year in which a grant is requested. If the The mission of the Foundation is to make grants with- proposal meets the stated guidelines and priorities of the in specific focus areas to enhance the quality of life in Foundation, grant application instructions will be sent to Central and Northern New York State. Historically, the the applicant. All grant applications must be submitted via Foundation has made grants in the following program the Foundation’s online grant management system by April areas: 1st of the year in which a grant is requested. 4 Arts and Culture The Foundation may require additional information and 4 Community Initiatives possibly an interview or site visit. Any discussions or indi- 4 Education cations of interest should not be construed as a commit- 4 Environment ment by the Foundation. All complete grant applications 4 Historic Preservation are carefully considered and evaluated by the Foundation. 4 Journalism Applicants are notified in writing of the Foundation’s deci- The Foundation responds to the ever-changing needs sion by July 1st. All approved grant applicants are required of various segments of the population of Central and to sign a Grant Acceptance Agreement prior to any funds Northern New York State, especially to the needs of young being released by the Foundation. people and people who are disadvantaged either physically The Foundation will periodically consider off-cycle grant or economically. proposals between July 1st and December 1st for projects It is the Foundation’s general policy to give preference to whose timing does not fall within the standard grant appli- proposals seeking funds for new or enhanced programs, cation cycle outlined above. These proposals must be sub- one-time, short-term grants to sustain a program until mitted via the Foundation’s online grant management sys- funding is stabilized, matching grants used to encourage the tem. The funding for these proposals fluctuates yearly based participation of other donors, and “last dollars” towards a on investment performance as well as prior grant commit- capital campaign. ments. The grant seeker must contact the Foundation and obtain approval prior to submitting an off-cycle grant The Foundation will not accept proposals from individuals proposal. or for-profit organizations. Additionally, the Foundation does not encourage proposals from religious organizations or proposals for endowments, contingency funding, or debt reduction. There are no minimums or maximum grant amounts; however, most grants range from $5,000 to $15,000. THE JOHN BEN SNOW FOUNDATION • 50 Presidential Plaza Suite 106 • Syracuse, New York 13202 • www.johnbensnow.com 3 THE JOHN BEN SNOW FOUNDATION REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES BOARD MEMBERS Because the Foundation assumes that the grantee has a Jonathan L. Snow, President moral and legal obligation to account for all funds received, David H. Snow, Vice President and Treasurer each grantee is required to submit a grant report via the Valerie A. MacFie, Secretary Foundation’s online grant management system by March Angus M. Burton 1st of the year after the approval of the grant. All grant Marion Hancock Fish reports are reviewed by the Foundation. Any change in Emelie M. Williams plans must be approved by the Foundation. If a grantee fails to submit a formal report, the Foundation reserves the Ann M. Scanlon, Program Officer right to request that the grant funds be returned. Elizabeth A. Snow, Program Associate Additionally, further grants will not be considered until a final report is received. THE JOHN BEN SNOW FOUNDATION • 50 Presidential Plaza Suite 106 • Syracuse, New York 13202 • www.johnbensnow.com 4 THE JOHN BEN SNOW FOUNDATION F INANCIAL H IGHLIGHTS Year Ending: 31 December 2014 Total Assets: ........................................$ 8,558,081 Excise Taxes: .......................................$ 8,980 Investment Revenue: .................................$ 632,495 Grants Paid: ........................................$ 342,800 GRANTS APPROVED AT THE Catholic Charities-Onondaga County – 2015 ANNUAL MEETING Syracuse, NY ....................... $ 5,000 Southside Neighborhood Center Renovation *Denotes matching grant CNY Family Bicycle Giveaway Inc. – Liverpool, NY ...................... $ 1,000 ARTS & CULTURE Family Bicycle Giveaway Central New York Jazz Arts Foundation, Inc. – Syracuse, NY ........ $ 2,500 Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo – Scholarships for Summer Jazz Workshop Syracuse, NY ....................... $ 10,000 Zoo to You Program CNY Arts, Inc. – Syracuse, NY ......... $ 2,500 Arts in Higher Education Consortium Hopeprint – Syracuse, NY ............. $ 7,500 Steps to Thrive Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute – Utica, NY .......................... $ 3,000 Hospice of Central New York – 2015 Art Reach Program Liverpool, NY ...................... $ 10,000 Facility Renovation Salmon River Fine Arts Center – Pulaski, NY ........................ $ 4,800 Interfaith Works of Central Arts Education and Access Project New York, Inc. – Syracuse, NY ......... $ 25,000 Facility Renovation Society for New Music – Syracuse, NY ... $ 2,500 Composers in the Schools/Young Composers Rescue Mission – Syracuse, NY ......... $ 25,000 Food Services Center Expansion Symphoria – Syracuse, NY ............. $ 5,000 Connecting Kids with Classical Music Rural and Migrant Ministry of Oswego Co. Inc. – Richland, NY ..... $ 6,200 Syracuse Children’s Theatre – Waiting and Conference Room Chairs East Syracuse, NY ................... $ 7,500 Syracuse Children’s Scholarship Fund Salvation Army of the Syracuse Area – Syracuse, NY ....................... $ 12,500 Syracuse Shakespeare Festival – Counseling Center Expansion Syracuse, NY ....................... $ 2,500 Kids Doing Shakespeare (KIDS) Syracuse University - Falk College - Human Science – Syracuse, NY ......... $ 7,000 $ 30,300 Addressing Neighborhood Violence Yeshua Restoration Ministries, Inc. – COMMUNITY INITIATIVES Syracuse, NY ....................... $ 7,500 A Better Chance – Manlius, NY ........ $ 7,000 Job Training Fellowships Refurbish Restrooms $ 123,700 THE JOHN BEN SNOW FOUNDATION • 50 Presidential Plaza Suite 106 • Syracuse, New York 13202 • www.johnbensnow.com 5 THE JOHN BEN SNOW FOUNDATION DISABILITIES AND UNIVERSAL ACCESS HISTORIC PRESERVATION Access CNY – Syracuse, NY ........... $ 10,000 Half-Shire Historical Society – Renovate Provisions Restaurant and Bakery Richland, NY ....................... $ 3,000* Window Replacement Jim Marshall Farms Foundation, Inc. – Chittenango, NY .................... $ 2,500 Onondaga Historical Association – Increase Parking Lot Syracuse, NY ....................... $ 10,000 Website Upgrade Phase II Muscular Dystrophy Association – East Syracuse, NY ................... $ 4,000 $ 13,000 Scholarships for Summer Camp $ 16,500 JOURNALISM Syracuse University, EDUCATION School Press Institute – Syracuse,