The Columbia Trust of the DAV National Service Foundation ensures that strong services
and the DAV’s legacy of hope are extended and evenly distributed to veterans across
the nation.
What began in 1996 as an initiative by the DAV Department of Colorado has become
a stalwart resource that ensures Disabled American Veterans’ services and special
programs are available nationwide.
Within the DAV National Service Foundation, the Columbia Trust exists as a “restricted
fund.” Chapters and Departments contribute to the Trust from funds that are obligated
to be spent for service.
One of the most successful functions of the Trust is its role as a catalyst bridging
resources from well populated Departments and Chapters in need.
Within the DAV National Service Foundation, The Columbia Trust exists as a “restricted
fund.” Chapters and Departments contribute to the Trust from funds that are obligated
to be spent for service.
The use of the Columbia Trust funds is limited to the purpose for which they were
collected — service to veterans and their families at the local levels. No other
use is permissible.
Chapter and Department leaders are encouraged to identify unmet needs and develop
unique and creative projects to serve disabled veterans in their communities. When
funds from the Trust are necessary to initiate or maintain programs, Chapters and
Departments are encouraged to apply for grants.
Applications are reviewed by members of an Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee
includes one member from each District of the DAV’s National Organization. This
arrangement provides each geographical area within the DAV representation in the
decision-making process with a voice in the expenditure of funds from the Trust.
The Committee reviews the grant requests and recommends spending funds for specific
purposes. The National Service Foundation’s Board of Directors is the final arbiter
of the grant and acts to affirm, reject or modify the Advisory Committee’s recommendations.
Grants are not awarded to Chapters and Departments that exceed the asset accumulation
limitation spelled out in DAV’s National Bylaws. Chapters and Departments that show
an ongoing ability to meet their proposed service obligations are ineligible.
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Here are some questions others have asked about The Columbia Trust:
Who’s in charge of The Columbia Trust?
Overall supervision of The Columbia Trust is provided by the Board of Directors
of the DAV National Service Foundation, which is separate from the DAV’s National
Organization. Each geographical DAV District is also represented on the Trust’s
Advisory Committee. The Foundation’s Administrator provides day-to-day management.
Furthermore, the DAV National Director of Voluntary Services participates in aspects
that bear on Transportation Network and Hospital Service Coordinator Program activities.
How can I know the Advisory Committee will view a program as “service?”
Service projects aimed at directly assisting disabled veterans and their families
will be considered. Common sense prevails. Experienced DAV members should be able
to recognize “service to disabled veterans” when they see it.
If my Chapter or Department made a proper determination of a service-oriented
project, how can I anticipate whether it will be approved?
Two issues must be considered. First, the proposed program must be a needed service,
and the Advisory Committee must recognize it as such. Then, a determination is made
as to the requesting Chapter or Department’s actual need for the funds, in whole
or in part. In the case of a Chapter, the determination will depend on its finances
as reported on the Annual Financial Report as well as the finances of its Department.
In the case of a Department, it will depend on its reported financial circumstances.
If a Chapter can afford to fund part of the service – or its Department can afford
to do so – the Trust may grant less than what was requested. In instances where
a Chapter or its Department is in the financial position to fund the service in
full, the grant will be denied.
You say grants for Chapters and Departments that haven’t complied with National
Bylaws Article 18, regarding expenditure of excess accumulated funds, are not approved.
What does such expenditure involve, and what is “compliance?”
When a Chapter or Department’s liquid assets exceed three times the expenses of
their last fiscal year, they are in violation of Article 18 of the National Bylaws.
They are required to spend the excess for service, bringing their accumulated funds
into compliance with Article 18. One way to use excess funds for service is a donation
to The Columbia Trust.
If budget history shows an ongoing ability to meet proposed service obligations,
you say a grant will not be forthcoming. What does this mean?
A Chapter or Department does not need a grant when it is consistently able to meet
the costs of its budgeted service programs without calling on its accumulated liquid
reserves. Such a Chapter or Department should participate in The Columbia Trust
by making a contribution. When figuring costs for service, please remember that
these costs do not include spending on fraternal costs, administrative expenses,
or overhead.
If a Chapter or Department requests a grant but previously has made a contribution
to The Columbia Trust, will it be considered?
Of course! The Chapter’s or Department’s current needs and current financial situation
will be examined and taken into consideration. Grants are based solely on current
need, without regard to past contributions to the Trust.
How can the membership be assured that The Columbia Trust fund will be administered
fairly?
Full financial details of the Trust’s activities are included in the DAV National
Service Foundation’s Interim Reports and audited Annual Report. Further, the Board
of Directors of the National Service Foundation is required by law to act in good
faith as fiduciaries to carry out the purposes of The Columbia Trust. Generally,
the Trust accomplishes the transfer of funds for service projects from prosperous
DAV Chapters and Departments to those Chapters and Departments in need. Here, granting
Chapters and Departments are those who have surplus funds, in excess of those reasonably
needed for its own service programs; on the other hand, the grantee Chapters and
Department will not have such funds.
Will The Columbia Trust fund any programs of the DAV’s National Organization?
It is not the purpose of The Columbia Trust to fund programs of the National Organization.
The National Service Program and all other national service activities continue
to be financed through donations from the American public.
Are Auxiliary Units and Departments eligible for grants?
No.
How can we help fellow disabled veterans throughout the nation?
Chapters and Departments who enjoy a surplus of excess funds can help underserved
veterans across the country by channeling excess funds through The Columbia Trust
to Chapters and Departments who need funds to maintain basic service programs. Checks
can be made payable to:
The Columbia Trust
DAV National Service Foundation
3725 Alexandria Pike
Cold Spring, KY 41076
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The Columbia Trust is about creative generosity and providing the means to help
others.
It targets our funds where the need is greatest -- to support the services DAV Chapters
and Departments provide for disabled veterans and their families.
The Columbia Trust allows us to share who we are and what we have. It enables us
to both give and receive. It provides the means to fulfill our mission of building
better lives for America's disabled veterans and their families.
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