The By-Laws (printable file)

(Unanimously approved by a quorum of the membership on October 17, 2006)

Membership
Funding Principles
Funds Management
Non-Member Contributions
Organizational Structure

MEMBERSHIP

The Saffron Circle is a group of multi-generational Asians committed to creating positive social change in the greater Boston Asian community. It is a member driven, donor advised fund that is by Asians, for Asians. At this time, membership with voting rights is limited to individuals only.

  • Individuals who self-identify as Asian may join the Saffron Circle by making a $250 a year personal contribution (tax-deductible) for at least two consecutive years.
  • Members may participate as much or as little in the funding process as they wish. Attendance at meetings and service on committees is encouraged, but not required.
  • All members have equal voting rights. Each member is entitled to one vote on all matters concerning the governance and funding policies and decisions of the Saffron Circle.
  • Matters requiring votes will pass if they receive they receive a simple majority (half of the votes + 1) of all votes cast in favor of the proposal. Votes are only valid if a quorum (2/3 of active members) votes. Votes may be cast in-person, or via email.
  • Member voting rights are activated once one full year’s contribution of $250 has been received. If annual contribution is not fulfilled by the date of proposal review and voting, s/he will not be considered a voting member. Members will be notified no less than 2 weeks (14 days) prior to voting.
  • In order create a fund that is accessible to the many different sectors of the Asian American community (youth, under- and unemployed, the elderly, etc.), Saffron Circle may at a later time revise the individual voting structure to a committee structure to enable broader, more equitable participation.

FUNDING PRINCIPLES

  • The Saffron Giving Circle will fund any nonprofit Asian organization or organization serving Asian populations. Non-Asian organizations will be funded only if their program specifically targets Asian populations. “Nonprofit” is defined as an organization with 501(c)(3) public charity exempt status from the IRS. Unincorporated organizations will be eligible for grants if they have a 501(c)(3) fiscal agent.
  • In line with the Saffron Circle’s own model, the fund has a particular interest in funding organizations and/or projects that directly engage members of the Asian community in making transformative, positive social change within their own community. Additionally, the fund favors collaborative models.
  • Eligible organizations will be geographically located in Massachusetts, with a primary emphasis within the greater Boston area.

  • For Asian organizations, funding will be awarded for program costs or general operating support. For non-Asian organizations, funds will only be awarded for program costs directly related to serving an Asian population.
  • There is no minimum or maximum size limit for organizational budgets. Organizations of any fiscal size (meeting the requirements) are encouraged to apply for funding.
  • Grants will be awarded once per calendar year. For any given grant cycle, the Saffron Circle may define priority issue areas and will accept proposals that focus on that area. Funding priorities and grant range amounts will be announced in the Funding Guidelines.
  • In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, grant decisions and awards will be made annually in the month of May.
  • The Saffron Circle will not fund the following:
    • Grants to individuals.
    • Scholarships or fellowships.
    • Public relations.
    • Religious organizations for religious purposes.
    • Political parties, organizations for specific candidates, political action committees and any organizations that exist to support them.
    • Government and other municipal organizations.

FUNDS MANAGEMENT

  • Pooled funds will be deposited into a fee-waived donor-advised fund at The Boston Foundation and professionally managed until they are granted to nonprofit organizations as directed by the Saffron Circle Members.
  • No funds can be dispersed or granted from the fund until its value reaches $5,000. In the event that more than $10,000 is raised, additional funds may be rolled over to the next calendar year or included for grants in the current year. The exact amount given each year will be recommended by the Membership Committee and voted on by the group.

NON-MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS

  • Individuals wishing to contribute to the Saffron Circle as a non-Member may do so. There is no minimum contribution for non-members. Those individual contributors will be acknowledged as “Friends of the Saffron Circle.”
  • Corporations or other organizations may contribute to the Saffron Circle without member privileges and rights. These types of contributors will be acknowledged as “Sponsors of the Saffron Circle.”
  • Matching donations made by a member’s company are accepted, however no additional votes are granted to the member.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

  • The Saffron Circle shall have at least six standing committees (Membership, Grantmaking, Fundraising, Governance, Communications, and Steering). More committees may be added at the discretion of the Steering Committee.
  • The Steering Committee will be comprised of the chairs of the other five committees (Membership, Grantmaking, Fundraising, Governance, and Communications). The Steering Committee will function as a quasi-Executive Committee, with the ability to commit the Saffron Circle to grant agreements, or other contracts.
  • The Membership Committee shall work on logistics and follow up of meetings and events for the members as well as recruitment new members to the Saffron Circle.
  • The Grantmaking Committee shall solicit and review proposals, conduct site visits, and make grant recommendations to the full membership.
  • The Fundraising Committee shall write and submit grants and recruit institutional membership and corporate sponsors in support of the Saffron Circle.
  • The Governance Committee shall develop policies for the Saffron Circle, including guidelines concerning membership, organizational structure, funds management, and funding priorities.
  • The Communications Committee shall focus on publicity to increase access and outreach, and maintain the web site and central contact lists.
Copyright © 2006, Saffron Circle. All Rights Reserved.