The Feb. 17th rally in Washington, D.C. (and solidarity rallies) are 501(c)(3) events.
The following is a checklist of steps to help you ensure your event will qualify for reimbursement from your Chapter or Group advised fund at The Sierra Club Foundation.
1. Track expenses and any offsetting revenue collected from participants.
The main expenses that can be reimbursed include expenses for items such as transportation, permits, food, and educational materials. The expenses are reimbursable MINUS any fees or donations you collect. Supporting documentation, such as receipts, invoices, or volunteer reimbursement forms will need to be submitted to Chapter Funding for reimbursement. Keep track of and submit an accounting of all revenue as well.
Chapters and groups can support other Sierra Club entities with 501(c)(3) funds by requesting a transfer of funds from their Foundation account. Send an email to chapter.funding@sierraclub.org to request a transfer.
2. Make sure the event is open to the public, and not just Sierra Club members.
3. Don’t actively recruit members (although it is acceptable to hand a participant a membership brochure if asked).
4. Use the factsheets and educational materials already provided and approved by Compliance Review.
The 501(c)(3) messages and asks are here: http://action.sierraclub.org/site/DocServer/ClimateLegacyPolicy.pdf?docID=11921. If you are creating new educational materials, you must send them in to compliance.review@sierraclub.org in advance of production to ensure they qualify as 501(c)(3).
5. Don’t discuss or encourage participants to take action on any pending or proposed legislation.
6. Contact Catherine Butler or Aye Aye Swe at chapter.funding@sierraclub.org or 415-977-5771 with any other reimbursement questions you have.
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