• Chapter Ally Grants will be awarded to Chapters in amounts up to $5,000
• Up to 25% of the grant (maximum $1,250) may be used to support a Volunteer Initiative

Goals of the Program

• to engage PLUS Chapters and members in the mission of the PLUS Foundation
• to promote the good will of PLUS members and the professional liability industry
• to provide financial support (and broaden the giving base of the Foundation) to organizations with missions similar to that of the Foundation
• to encourage and support giving and volunteerism by the PLUS community
• to promote the Foundation to PLUS members and their local communities

NonProfit Beneficiary

• Must be a free-standing 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation with a sound reputation and history of success. New organizations with little experience, pools of money collected without corporate oversight, or a project that is part of the government are not preferred.
• Non-partisan, not closely religiously affiliated, nor discriminate in any way (other than based on need) as to who is eligible for the benefits provided. Choose organizations that nearly everyone, regardless of their personal affiliations and beliefs, will be comfortable supporting.
• Primary mission of organization must provide services that address the needs of individuals or populations that face obstacles to securing a job or maintaining or advancing in the workforce.

Volunteer Initiatives

• Funds and volunteer events and activities will be completed by the last day of December 2021
  • Eligible expenses which are inclusive of the grant include: meals and transportation for volunteers, supplies for activity, or other items pre-approved by Foundation
  • Ineligible expenses include: travel costs, event fees (fundraising dinners, golf outings, ), photography, any items not considered in-kind donations left with the charity, or any items not approved by Foundation staff. Always check with the Foundation office!
• If requested, T-shirts for volunteers will be provided by the PLUS Foundation

Charity Vetting Process & Approval

Each Chapter applying for an Ally Grant must engage in a process which achieves the following:

• Uses a selection process that is led by, involves, and is approved by all members of the Steering Committee; the nonprofit partner should be approved by the committee in an official vote, noted in minutes
• Does reasonable research to assure that the recommended charity is reputable and meets the program’s general eligibility requirements

Chapters are not mandated to apply for an Ally Grant.

Additional Fundraising

Some Chapters inquire about raising additional funds or collecting items for their nonprofit partner. The PLUS Foundation Board of Directors has established these parameters.

• All additional fundraising activities must be approved by the PLUS Foundation.
• Additional fundraising will be limited to one Chapter event per This can be for cash, items or both.
• All cash and items collected go directly to the All donation checks must be made out directly to the charity. The Foundation or PLUS will not collect and redistribute money.
• Cash and items can only be requested from individuals, not from Company “sponsorship” of events or activities is not appropriate.

When cash or items are collected there must be some Foundation related function happening at the event (ex. Women’s Leadership Network event, check presentation, volunteer event, etc.). Educational events that are PLUS-specific only, are not an appropriate place to collect for charity.

2021 Key Deadlines

• • March 31, 2023: Deadline for PLUS Chapters to apply for a Chapter Ally Grant.
  • December 31, 2023: Grant funds must be disbursed, and volunteer initiatives completed.