EBA Inaugurates Charitable Foundation

Charitable Foundation Sponsors Founders Fundraising Campaign and Plans Inaugural Fundraising Gala

A. Karen Hill

The New Charitable Foundation of the Energy Bar Association is inaugurating its Founders Campaign by soliciting contributions from law firms, energy companies, and individuals to endow a fund to support a wide variety of charitable activities including energy internships for qualifying students, educational grants and scholarships, volunteer community service projects such as weatherizing low income housing, and financial support to needy individuals and non-profit organizations for utility bills and other expenses. In addition, the Charitable Foundation is planning its first fundraising gala, a cocktail reception in conjunction with the EBA Mid-Year meeting at the Renaissance Hotel on December 4, 2003.

The Board of Directors of the Charitable Foundation recently selected My Sister’s Place, a shelter serving women and children escaping domestic violence, and Habitat for Humanity, as the two recipients of the funds raised at the upcoming gala.

The Charitable Foundation is a non-profit Section 501(c)(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to the Foundation are generally tax deductible to the donor.

The Energy Bar Association and the Foundation of the Energy Law Journal completed formation of the Charitable Foundation late last year, under the leadership of Paul Nordstrom, past president of the EBA, and Richard Morgan, past president of the Foundation of the Energy Law Journal. Its purpose is to engage in both energy-related and general charitable activities through financial contributions and volunteer services by the members of the Energy Bar Association and other benefactors. Initial financial support for the Foundation was provided by the EBA, its members and its members’ organizations, as well as the Foundation of the Energy Law Journal.

The Charitable Foundation encourages involvement and sponsorship by EBA members and their employers in the following activities:

• Volunteer in the Foundation’s service activities;
• Participate in the Foundation’s standing committees;
• Provide a financial contribution to the Foundation;
• Co-sponsor the Foundation’s annual gala fundraising events; and
• Make a two-year financial commitment to the Foundation by participating in the Founders Campaign.

The Kickoff Founders Campaign is seeking pledges and contributions to the Foundation at or above certain thresholds over a two-year period (2003-2004), as shown below:

	Platinum Founder – contributions of $20,000 and above
	Gold Founder – contributions of $10,000 and above
	Silver Founder – contributions of $5,000 and above

Individuals may become Individual Founders for contributions of $2,000 and above over the same period. Founders will receive permanent recognition by the Foundation for their generous support during the Foundation’s start-up, complimentary tickets to the Foundation’s first two annual gala events and other benefits.

Ms. Hill is on the Board of Directors of the Charitable Foundation of the Energy Bar Association. The Foundation’s organizational documents are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the offices of the Energy Bar Association.