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The Chaîne Foundation is a tax-exempt
organization established in 1993 as a vehicle for supporting culinary educational programs
in keeping with the goals of Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, Bailliage des
Etats-Unis.
The Foundation relies upon the support of every member
to carry out its work, which not only maintains the Chaîne as a leader in the culinary
arts but also reflects the wishes of the vast majority of Chaîne members. Together, we
are joined in the mutual belief that we, who are the fortunate beneficiaries of the
artistry of great chefs and the exquisite palates of outstanding winemakers, have a
responsibility to ensure that there will be great chefs and winemakers in the future. |
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How the Foundation is governed
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The Foundation is governed by a board of directors
comprised of individuals holding the offices of Bailli Délégué,
Foundation Chair, Chancelier, Argentier and the Chambellan.
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How the Foundation is supported
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The Foundation is supported mainly through the voluntary
check-off that accompanies dues notices. During the past years over 80% of Chaîne members
chose this method of support, making these funds the mainstay of the Chaîne's fund
raising efforts. The Foundation Auction, held each year at the
time of the National Council Meeting, provides another opportunity for members to
participate. Members may contribute or purchase trips, hotel stays, dining experiences,
rare bottles of wine, or high quality products associated with food and wine. Items are
listed in an auction catalog, thus providing important benefits to the corporate donor,
whose logos are used as part of the descriptive text.
Legacies specified in Wills also provide monetary support for the
Chaîne Foundation and are tax deductible.
Local bailliages are urged to encourage their members to embrace these
efforts.
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How Foundation monies are spent
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Each
year the Foundation's board of directors meets to decide how funds
will be spent. Major grants have been made to The Culinary
Institute of America, Johnson & Wales University the Department
of Viticulture and Enology at the University of California, Davis
and the American Academy of Chefs. In addition to continuing to give to the USA's leading schools, the Foundation
makes grants to educational institutions selected by local bailliages participating in the
Foundation's Matching Fund program. It also makes contributions to schools hosting
national and regional Young Chefs competitions.
Since 1996, the Foundation has made scholarship grants of
over $2,000,000 to over 60
qualifying schools.
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The term "Chaîne Scholar"
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The Chaîne Scholar program was designed to underwrite
educational expenses of especially promising professionals, our next generation of leaders
in the food and hospitality industry. The term Chaîne Scholar is
the designation given to a scholarship recipient, each of whom must meet high scholastic
standards and possess the attributes and attitudes which reflect the very best in
professional standards, dedication, and commitment.
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The Foundation's Matching Fund Program
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On January 17, 1997, the board of directors voted to
provide matching funds up to $1,000 for those bailliages that raise funds for the support
of educational institutions of their choosing that function as 501(c)(3) entities.
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Types of programs that qualify for Matching
Funds
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A bailliage might give funds, earmarked for scholarships,
directly to a school and ask the school to select one or more recipients. If the school is
local, the bailliage has an opportunity to establish close ties with the administration
and teachers. One bailliage works closely with two area schools
that have culinary arts programs. Particularly talented students are selected who join the
Chaîne in the student category of Rôtisseur. These student members often help in the
kitchen at Chaîne events. When such students are in need of scholarship help, the local
bailliage makes funds available it raises through special fund raising projects. This
program qualifies for matching funds.
Another bailliage makes available full or partial scholarships to local,
qualified candidates in financial need so that they may enroll in continuing education
courses at a particular school. The portion contributed by the bailliage is paid directly
to the school, thus qualifying for matching funds.
It is both desirable and appropriate that a student receiving a
scholarship bear a special designation, such as Chaîne Scholar.
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Bailliages and the Matching Fund Program
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Many bailliages raise funds by having fund raisers, such as
auctions, where there is sufficient value received for the contribution made that there is
no possibility of deductibility for the donor. In this case, the
funds collected may be in any form (checks made out to the bailliage, for example). Such
funds qualify for matching as long as the overall program qualifies, though individual
donors can not expect their contributions to be tax deductible.
To ensure that your members' contributions are deductible for income tax
purposes, their funds must be given to a qualified educational institution that functions
as a 501(c)(3) entity. Once this status is determined by having the 501(c)(3) provide its
identifying number, it is essential that donation checks are written to a 501(c)(3). That
can be accomplished in two ways:
In the first instance, you need only send photocopies of the checks to
the educational institution to the National Administrative Office. The Office will prepare
a check for the matching funds and send it directly to you for presentation to your
educational institution.
In the second instance, the checks (payable to the Chaîne des
Rôtisseurs Foundation) should be sent to the National Administrative Office. The Office
will return to you a check in the amount of the sum of your contribution plus the match.
You can then make the presentation to the educational institution.
In order for your members' contributions to be tax deductible for income
tax purposes, it is imperative that your members' checks should not be made out to the
Chaîne or to your bailliage. Neither the Chaîne itself not your bailliage is a qualified
501(c)(3). Donations funneled through either the Chaîne or the local bailliage will not
be deductible for personal income tax purposes.
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Benefits to bailliages that have a Matching
Fund Program
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Such programs visibly demonstrate our commitment, at all
levels, to the education of those in the culinary arts, viticulture, and the hospitality
industry. The existence of a formal program creates a strong bond
between a bailliage and its professional members, providing professional members a strong
incentive to support the Chaîne and the local chapter.
Scholarship recipients are often willing to demonstrate what they have
learned to members of the bailliage.
Bailliage members have the opportunity to get to know the scholarship
recipients and are in a good position to identify and encourage qualified individuals to
compete in the Chaîne's Young Chef Competition.
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The Matching Fund Program Application Process
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Information about the process may be obtained by contacting
the National Administrative Office.
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