What is the Foundation?
The Jaycees of Wisconsin Foundation, Inc. is tax exempt corporation organized in 1968 to serve as a resource to both local chapters and the Wisconsin Jaycee organization. Membership is made up of local chapters of the Wisconsin Jaycees. The Foundation runs on a calendar year with each new year starting on January 1st. The Foundation Board of Directors are elected by the membership at the Foundation’s Annual Meeting held at Fall Convention. Officers of the board are elected at the Foundation’s organizational meeting held in November of each year.

What are the dues and how are they used?
Each chapter is assessed a $20.00 annual dues. This money is used to offset the Foundation’s grant program; however, dues anticipated will not be adequate to cover the costs of this program. Dues payment should be made to the Jaycees of Wisconsin Foundation, Inc. by July 1st. Chapters will not be able to vote at conventions unless they have paid their Foundation dues.

The Mission and Vision of the Foundation:
Mission: The Mission of the Jaycees of Wisconsin Foundation, Inc. is to ensure that the local community service objectives and philosophies of the Jaycees continue to flourish throughout Wisconsin.

Vision: By focusing on our commitment to the philosophies of the Jaycee movement, the Jaycees of Wisconsin Foundation, Inc. provides leadership and personal development opportunities for all Wisconsin citizens by supporting projects across the state.

The Foundation is organized into committees. They consist of:

Building and Grounds – The Wisconsin Jaycee Chapter Service Center, known as the Steve Little Memorial Building, is owned and maintained by the Foundation. Monies collected from the Wisconsin Jaycees for rent is used for maintenance and improvements. Additionally, each month the Foundation will make a contribution to the Wisconsin Jaycees to support their educational and charitable activities.

Finance – The Finance Committee oversees the investments of the Foundation’s assets. It is also responsible for overseeing the financial well-being of the Foundation by assisting the treasurer with collection of dues, preparation of tax documents and development of future financial policies.

ID College/Education – This committee serves as a resource for the educational projects of the Foundation. Education is one of the primary components of the Foundation’s charter. This committee is currently looking for new educational programs to participate in.

Grants – A grant is an outright gift from the Foundation to provide financial assistance to community organizations for their charitable and educational projects. Grant applications are accepted twice a year – from January 1 to February 28 and June 1 to July 31. Applications consist of completed CPGs detailing the entire project and how it is being funded.

Pass Through – The Foundation, unlike Jaycee chapters, is eligible for an exemption from sales tax for appropriate projects. Chapters can apply for a Pass Through and, if approved, can benefit from a sales tax savings as well as the ability to promote donations which would be tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Projects that are charitable or educational may be eligible as a Pass Through project.

The Endowment Fund – Established in 1986, this fund exists for the purpose of having a continuous source of funding for the valuable programs of the Jaycee movement. All contributions to the Endowment are placed in a segregated account with only income from the assets being used to help ensure the continuation of the Jaycee Movement.

Scholarship – In 1993, a $500 scholarship was established and named to honor Denise Bertucci (The Denise Bertucci Memorial Scholarship) who was an outstanding Jaycee who died in 1992 after a courageous battle with cancer. The scholarship is awarded from candidates throughout Wisconsin. They must be 21 years of age and enrolled as a full-time student after a break in their education.

In 1998, The WI JCI Senate and the Foundation joined together and created the Jim Nehrbass Memorial Scholarship program. Jim was a longtime, outstanding Jaycee who not only ran for National President, he was a founder of the JCWF Endowment Fund. Two $100 scholarships are awarded from candidates throughout Wisconsin who then go onto to compete for $1,000 scholarships from the United States Jaycees Senate. They must be graduating from high school and enrolled in an accredited institution of higher learning.

Public Relations – The Public Relations Committee exists to help spread the word about the Foundation and its activities. The committee works hard throughout the year putting together news releases, State Mailing articles, and Project Fair Booths at conventions and State programs.

By Law Review/Long Range Planning – As in every corporation, a review of our By-Laws is completed every year to keep current with our needs. This committee is also working towards a three-year plan to better prepare the Foundation for the future.