Minutes of the Board of Directors, The Special Hope Foundation

After receiving proper notice via e-mail on September 8, 2009, a quorum of the Directors named either by the Incorporator or listed in the Articles of Incorporation, constituting the Board of Directors of this Corporation, held their meeting at this time, on the day, and at the place set forth as follows:

TIME: 6:20 pm
DATE: September 22, 2009
PLACE: Special Hope Foundation Office,
2225 E. Bayshore Road, Suite 200,
Menlo Park, CA 94303

The following Directors, constituting a quorum of the full Board, were present at the meeting:

  • Lynne O’Hara, President
  • John O’Hara, Vice-President
  • Mary Wilson, Treasurer
  • Tracie Sloat
  • Carrie Jones

Excused:
Ed Hoskins, Secretary

Minutes Approved

The first order of business involved the review of the minutes from the previous Board Meeting on May 12, 2009. All reviewed and accepted the minutes.
 

Review of Existing Business

Updates from Previous Grantees:

  • PPC – Special Hope Foundation (SHF) helped fund some of their important research.  Their report was distributed, including a legislative report from Steve Lipscomb.
  • Kids Included Together – SHF funded an inclusion kit.  A brochure on the kit was distributed.  The SHF logo is displayed on the back of the brochure – with video podcast.  The objectives for this grant were met and exceeded.  Curriculum they developed was given to Lynne O’Hara as well.  All in all, they were very responsive to Lynne providing her lots of results and info.
  • New England Business Associates – results were satisfactory but their evaluation sounded like it didn’t go as well as we thought it would. Micro-enterprise funding.
  • UW Autism Center – There were questions about this project:  $109,000 grant: project costs = $25k, where is the rest of the $$?  It was discussed that we need to get the organization’s perception of how big an impact they are having on the public perception of those with special needs.  One of their projects involves virtual reality-eye tracing to detect what a person’s eyes are looking at and if they can focus on specific objects.  UC Santa Cruz had the same problem with questions about funding.  Both submitted request for extension on completing their projects.  (SHF grant agreements stipulate one year limit on using funds)
  • UC Santa Cruz – asked for two extensions on their $25k grant.  The SHF trustees discussed why is it taking so long.
  • Abilities United – Sent in a terrific update letter.  Their community program is doing great things.
  • Asha Kiran – received their funding from the Indian government which is a huge breakthrough!  On April 1 they were out of $$ but they kept their program running.  Delhi state government now paying a 24-hour clinic.  The three-year grant from SHF was leveraged and now a great SUCCESS!!
  • Special Care Society – Their newsletter was distributed.  Model being used by UAE.
  • NIAD – Their book DisabilityLand wins award!
  • ARC of SF – Their film won an award.

Committee Reports

Finance & Investments Committee – Mary Wilson

  • Mary handed several financial documents for the trustees to review.
  • Document handed out:  SHF Budget vs Actual For the year ended June 30, 2009
  • There was a brief discussion with a few questions and explanations from Mary:
  • The budget we approved included some transactions on the portfolio which didn’t happen due to economic changes in the stock market.
  • Line 4 Gain on Sale of Securities – $3mil budgeted severely skews the bottom line since we didn’t do the transactions.
    • So – bottom line of #1 was adjusted showing positive variance.  20 percent off due to line 6 – grant distributions because we approved grants in a multi-year fashion (pledge) but the real grant expenditure for this FY is less because we haven’t actually written the checks yet.
  • “Forces for Good” event skews line 47; consulting line 52 over.
  • Investment income is down off of budgeted.
  • Document handed out:  PIE CHART of assets as of June 30, 2009
    • June  2009 – $11 million, now (in September 2009) we’re up to $12 million.
    • There was a brief discussion, no questions.
  • Document handed out:  2009-10 Grant Distribution
    • Due to economy, thinking about dropping off the January meeting and ending that cycle.
    • # of grant proposals for next cycle = 11
    • # of grants for cycle after that =  ??
    • There was a brief discussion, with no further questions.
  • Also distributed: SHF Budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010
     

Grant Review

The board was asked if anyone has any personal connection to any of the following organizations: East Bay Innovations, TransAccess, Futures Explored, Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP), Mychal’s Learning Place, and The ARC of San Francisco.  No one had any connection or had been contacted by any of these organizations.

East Bay Innovations – EBI requested support to expand their Connect University program based on results gained from their initial pilot program.   The SHF trustees agreed that this was a terrific program and organization.  The Board briefly discussed the merits of this program.

A motion was made and seconded and the Board unanimously approved a grant of $15,000 to East Bay Innovations.

TransAccess – TransAccess requested support for their Mentor Services – a program that provides quality guidance and support through mentors.  Lynne distributed their curriculum (very thorough) that they developed over the last four years.  The Board discussed the merits of this program.

A motion was made and seconded and the Board unanimously approved a grant of $40,000 to TransAccess.

The ARC of San Francisco – The ARC requested funding to develop the first ever model system of health care for transition age youth and adults with developmental disabilities. The Board discussed at length the merits of this program.  Every medical student will be exposed to training about disability clients.  2ndly developing a specialty area in Disability Health – a specialty for general practitioners.  In order to be a good provider you have to spend more time with these people.

It was asked why are we doing this now when they are so well funded?  It was discussed that it is to their benefit that they can get private funders.  This has never been done before, anywhere.  They are in the second phase (research was first phase).  Now they are trying to put some legs under this research to actually get it going.  Phase 2 of a 10 phase program, or phase 2 of a three phase program?

We are in an early phase but it is strategic in helping get this going.  Impressive that they have an insurance provider – everyone is behind this effort.  Established but innovative.  It meets SHF grant criteria.

A motion was made and seconded and the Board unanimously approved a grant of $100,000 to The ARC of San Francisco.

Mychal’s Learning Place – Mychal’s requested funding of their Independent Living Experience (MILE).  This program puts people in hotels (teens) and teaches them independent living skills.  Recent progress report:  they have not received further funding commitments for this program since they sent out proposals.  They have rooms at Marriott but they didn’t have the program funds to put it around it. Can’t afford the staff.  He proposes completely changing the program.  Lynne originally recommended $10k but now they will do in-home training and then try to do hotel aspect of it.  Teaching independent living skills for these teens.  They have four participants now – will there be more? The program design wasn’t’ based on anything researched.

The Board discussed at length the merits of this program.  What to do?  Fund a program that has a project with a shaky plan (in transition); or fund a consultant to help them put together the plan; let it ride until next cycle; or not fund it at all.  Stability indicators are low here.  It seemed functional when they submitted the proposal.  Weakened structure but their Executive Director has lots of heart.  Nonetheless, the program has questionable rationale.

A motion was made and seconded and the Board unanimously turned down a grant to Mychal’s Learning Place.

Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP) — BORP requested funding to expand and improve their health and fitness program.   The Board briefly discussed the merits of this program.  BORP is a strong non-profit and they will continue to assess their activities.

A motion was made and seconded and the Board unanimously approved a grant of $20,000 to Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program.

Futures Explored, Inc. —   Futures Explored requested funding for Project Search which provides supported employment services for developmentally disabled adults in the healthcare field.  The Board briefly discussed the merits of this program.  There were some questions such as would it make that big of an impact – was this anything new and innovative? They are looking to partner with Kaiser which would be al huge boost.  Overall budget $6.5 million.

Since this is the 78th replication – is it that innovative still?  While it may not be exciting but it does serve a purpose as have some of our other grants.  It does challenge public perception, especially in providing jobs in the health care field.   Well-suited to those disabilities that repetitive detailed tasks.  

A motion was made and seconded and the Board unanimously approved a grant of $10,000 to Futures Explored, Inc.
 

New Business

It was discussed about possibly having a local grantees meeting in January 2010 in the off cycle – like the “Forces for Good” Meeting.  Great networking opportunity.  Explore opportunities to partner with another Foundation?  Disability Network?  

Lynne started a class at Stanford University on autism and Aspergers Syndrome.

SHF is now a member of Northern CA Grantmakers.  This organization has lots of resources.  Their website has lots of info and as members we get access.  Lynne can help us get set up for access and email.

Confirmed next board meeting for May 11, 2010.
 

Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the meeting, upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

________________________________________

Lynne O’Hara, President

________________________________________

Ed Hoskins, Secretary