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Why be Federated?

 

 

 

 

 

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Being “federated” means being part of a united group of entities, such as states, regions, and national organizations that maintain a degree of independence while working under commonly shared missions and interests.  In our “garden club world: States and Regions are components of a federation called National Garden Clubs, Inc.  All are 501(c)3 not-for-profit organizations with their own officers and bylaws.  Under Internal Revenue Servce (IRS) guidelines, 501(c)3 organizations enjoy certain tax benefits: they do not pay federal or state income taxes and donations to 501(c)3 organizations are tax deductible to the individual donors. 

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However, in order to maintain the 501(c)3 status, such organizations must comply with a number of IRS regulations as to its operations, including the filing of annual information returns with the IRS and ensuring that its operations continue to be for the charitable purposes outlined in its bylaws initially filed with the IRS in its application for this special status.  Community Foundations and related entities, the The Federated Garden Clubs of Nebraka, Inc. (FGCN), Rocky Mountain Region, Inc. (RMR), and National Garden Clubs a (NGC) are all examples of public charitites which emjoy the benefits and obligations of being tax-exempt entities under IRS 501(c)3 regulations.

As noted above, one of the requirements of a 501(c)3 organization is to ensure its’s operations are for the charitable purposes outlined in its bylaws.  When foundations and related organizations have grant programs to support it mission and purposes, it must ensure that such grants strictly adhere to charitable purposes. Otherwise the organization’s tax-exempt status could be revoked.  Accordingly, almost all Foundations and other 501(c)3 orgainization have adopted policies which provide that their grant programs will only be made to organiztions which are 501(c)3 organizations.  This policy ensures the grantor organization that the grant will not jeopardize its tax-exempt status.  Accordinly,  if a local garden club is not a member of FGCN and does not hold its own 501(c)3 not-for-profit status, it is not eligible to obtain a grant from an organization such as  Community Foundations that has a 501(c)3) status. 

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Community Foundation Grants: There are over 2,180 foundations in Nebraska, with the Nebraska Community Foundation serving as a network of over 2000 fund leaders throughout the state.  Community grant foundations are grant-making public charities that support local nonprofits and improve the lives of people in a defined geographic area. When applying for a grant from community grant foundations, the club must be a 501(c)3 or a member of a 501(c)3 like FGCN.  If the club is not a member, it cannot legally receive such a grant without jeapordizing the grantor’s 501(c)3 tax-exempt status.  Most grantor’s will not run that risk.

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An Eastern District example of this scenario took place several years ago. Plattsmouth Garden Club (PGC) applied to the Plattsmouth Community Foundation for a grant to help replace the damaged Blue Star memorial on Webster Blvd.  Under its governing documents, Plattsmouth Community Foundation would only make such a grant to a 501(c)3 organization.  Accordingly, it was initially believed that PGC was not eligible since it was not a 501(c)3 organization.  However, a grant request to the Plattsmouth Community Foundation was made by FGCN (PGC member Donna Rouch was FGCN president at the time) for the PGC Blue Star Memorial project.  The fact that FGCN was a 501(c)3 organization satisfied Plattsmouth Community Foundation officials and the grant was made.  There have been similar grants provided to PGC by PCF since that time, all relying on the 501(c)3 status of FGCN to be eligible for the grants.

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Other Grant Opportunities:  Federated Garden Clubs of Nebraska, Inc. and the National Garden Club, Inc. are 501(c)(3) organizations which have programs for grants and support to local clubs and club projects.  Examples:

FGCN Grants:
Annual Scholarships, $1000.
Annual Community Civic Development Awards, $350.

NGC Grants:
National Disaster Grants, up to $5,000.
Plant America Community Grant, up to $2,000.
Ames Tools Grants, $250 in tools
Espoma Grants, $250.
Operation Wildflower Grants, up to $500.
Scholarships, $4,500.
Youth Pollinator Garden Grant, up to $200.
Youth Work Awards, $100.
Youth Smokey Bear & Woodsey Owl Poster Contest

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Nebraska clubs have had success in applying for grants under these programs.  For example, Ogallala Garden Club has applied and received Scholarships of  $1,000 for each two Keith County students and a student from Lincoln, also received a  $1000 FGCN scholarship.  In addition, one of Keith County FGCN scholarship winners also received a $3,800 Scholarship from National Garden Clubs (NGC) on top of the FGCN $1.000 scholarship.  Garden Club of Garden County received an NGC Plant America Grant of several hundred dollars to beautify an intersection in downtown Oshkosh, NE.

Personal Growth: FGCN and NGC schools offer continuing educatio opportunities through webinars, YouTube videos, home study units, programs, and projects. After completing each school, NGC Schools provide consultant certificates in environmental, landscape design, gardening, and flower shows. NGC schools are offered in " in-person,” Zoom, or hybrid formats.

Recognition: Many member clubs receive recognition for jobs well done through FGCN and National Awards, such as Member Award of Honor, Award of Excellence for Regions and States, Presidential Citations, and Local, State, and Regional awards. Some awards include certificates of merit, including monetary awards.

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Community Service: Garden club members are active, concerned citizens involved in their communities as caretakers, gardeners, and responsible stewards who conserve, preserve, and protect our air, water, forest, land, and wildlife.  They are a force for good!

Botanical Center Admissions: Many wonderful botanical gardens and arboretums throughout the USA will provide free or discounted admission to visitors from states affiliated with them.  Be sure to ask if FGCN or NGC qualifies.   

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Value for Your Membership:  Compare the value of items offered, such as scholarships and others listed above, from the FGCN and NGC.   Local clubs benefit from joining the Federated Garden Clubs of Nebraska, Inc.  Add monies that a club may have the opportunity to receive and compare them to the cost of membership. The members should be impressed.  Remember, to receive FGCN grants, you must be a member of FGCN and Submit Applications for them!. Federated Garden Clubs of Nebraska, Inc. is here to help you if you need assistance with the process. 

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