What is the Chaine Foundation?
The Chaîne Foundation is a tax-exempt organization that was established in 1993 (and reincorporated in New Jersey in 2008) with a goal and a purpose of providing scholarships to deserving culinary and oenological students, which is in keeping with the goals of the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, Bailliage des Etats-Unis.
The Foundation’s grants to culinary and oenological students provide welcome financial aid to our young confreres who will someday be staffing the restaurants and hotels we enjoy during our Chaîne and Mondiale events. At this early stage of their careers, even a few dollars can ease financial strain allowing them the peace of mind to passionately pursue their studies.
How is the Foundation funded?
The sources of revenue for the Foundation are limited. Currently, the Trustees depend primarily on the $25 check off boxes on the annual Chaîne dues notices. During the past decade approximately 80% of Chaîne members each year choose this method of support, making these funds the mainstay of the Chaîne's fund raising efforts.
These voluntary contributions from our members, our annual auctions and the occasional grant or bequest have historically been the principal funding sources. All donations are tax deductible. Yet, member contributions cannot provide enough to fulfill the needs, and the Foundation cannot give away more than it has. As a result, some innovative approaches for obtaining additional contributions and participation are in development.
The Chaîne Foundation depends on a continuing replenishment of funds to maintain its level of distributions and to be able to meet the increased need for financial assistance. In 2010, the Bailliage of the Chaîne of the United States will celebrate its 50th Anniversary. The Foundation Trustees along with the assistance of National Argentier Hal Small are promoting a 50th Anniversary endowment fund from all sectors of the Chaîne membership. With significant generosity, the Foundation can reach new levels of security ensuring long-term financial health for this Foundation that demonstrates the largesse and support of the Chaîne. Further, legacies specified in Wills and other estate planning documents (such as trusts) also provide monetary support for the Chaîne Foundation and are tax deductible.
The Foundation Live Auction, held each year at the time of the Grand Chapitre or National Council Meeting, provides another opportunity for members to participate. The 2009 “very” Grand Chapitre to be held in New York City will debut the first-ever online auction replacing the silent auction tables at the meeting. The purpose of moving the silent auction into the communication age is to offer the auction items to all members of the Chaîne, not just those fortunate enough to attend the Chapitre. Meeting attendees will have the opportunity to use onsite computers to actively bid while in New York City. Members may contribute or purchase trips, hotel stays, dining experiences, rare bottles of wine, or high quality products associated with food and wine, dining and travel related activities. Items will be listed in an auction catalog placed online as well as in the welcome packets at the time of check-in at the Chapitre office, thus providing important benefits to the corporate donor, whose logos are used as part of the descriptive material.
The Foundation relies upon the support of every Chaîne 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, and have a responsibility to ensure that there will be great chefs and winemakers in the future.
How are Foundation monies spent?
Each year the Foundation's board of directors meets to decide how funds will be spent. Chaîne scholarships have been made to The Culinary Institute of America, Johnson & Wales University, the Court of the Master Sommeliers and the American Academy of Chefs. The Chaîne Scholar program was designed to underwrite educational expenses of especially promising professionals, our next generation of leaders in the food, wine 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.
The Trustees of the Foundation have reaffirmed their commitment to providing scholarship disbursements to the Bailliage matching program and scholarship support for the Chaîne based Commis and Sommelier competitions before allocating monies to culinary institutions.
Since 1996, the Foundation has made scholarship grants of well over $2,000,000 to more than 60 qualifying schools.
What is the Foundation's Matching Fund Program?
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. Subsequently, the Foundation provided a second program matching up to $2,500 raised during a regional Assemblage.
A Bailliage may give funds, earmarked for scholarships, directly to a school and ask the school to select one or more recipients or a Bailliage may designate the student in financial need to receive the scholarship. Up to $1,000 will be matched by the Chaîne Foundation. An Assemblage is eligible for $2,500 in matching funds.
In other words, the Foundation makes grants to educational institutions selected by local Bailliages or regional Assemblages by participating in the Foundation's Matching Fund program. Historical annual totals for these two Foundation distribution programs approaches $20,000.
What program qualifies for the Matching Fund Program?
Funds must be given to a qualified educational institution that functions as a 501(c)(3) entity or has a 501(c)(3) Foundation. Once that status has been verified, the Board of Trustees will determine the eligibility and whether a grant is to be made. Delivery of a photocopy of the organization’s articles of incorporation, tax exemption letter from the Internal Revenue Service (and all modifications and/or amendments subsequently communicated), and the taxpayer identification number for the entity are considered essential for making the determination. Donation checks are written to the 501(c)(3) entity.
In order for Chaîne members’ contributions to be tax deductible for income tax purposes, it is imperative that your members' checks should either be made out to the institution’s 501(c)(3) or the Chaîne Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3). The Foundation can only send checks to a 501(c)(3) entity. Neither the Chaîne itself or a local Bailliage is a qualified 501(c)(3) (they are typically tp1(c)(7). If a Bailliage gives money to a non 501(c)(3) entity, the Chaine Foundation cannot, by law, send a matching check to that institution. Donations made through either the Chaîne (not the Foundation) or the local Bailliage will generally not be deductible for personal income tax purposes.
What is the Matching Fund Program Application Process?
So that your members' contributions are deductible for income tax purposes:
- All their checks should be made payable to the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Foundation and should be sent to the National Administrative Office, c/o Clyde Braunstein, 285 Madison Ave. Madison, NJ, 07940-1099. 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.
- If the checks are written to the 501(c)(3) educational institution or its 501(c)(3) foundation, you need to send photocopies of the checks to the educational institution to the National Administrative Office. The National Administrative Office will prepare a check for the matching funds and send it directly to you for presentation to your educational institution.
- If their checks are written to the local Bailliage or to the non 501(c)(3) part of an institution, such funds qualify for matching as long as the overall program qualifies as a 501(c)(3), though individual donors cannot expect their contributions to be tax deductible.
What are the benefits to Bailliages that participate in the Matching Fund Program?
- If the school is local, the Bailliage has an opportunity to establish close ties with the administration and teachers.
- 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 Jeune Commis (Young Chef) Competition.
Information about the process may be obtained by contacting the National Administrative Office. The contact information is as follows:
Confrérie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs
Chaîne House at Farleigh Dickinson University
285 Madison Avenue
Madison, NJ 07940-1099
Phone (973) 360-9200.
Email: chaine@chaineus.org
How does the Foundation support the Jeune Commis and Sommelier programs?
Historically the Foundation annually contributes $75,000 designated for student scholarships to schools hosting national and regional Jeune Commis/Young Chefs competitions.
How is the Foundation governed?
The Chaine Foundation is administered by seven (7) voting Trustees. Currently the Board of Trustees also receives the advice and council of Foundation Committee Members. With the addition of two more Committee members, the plan is to have all ten (10) Chaine regions represented, provide input, and contribute to the Foundation. The Chairman of the Board and President is Shelly B. Margolis, from Philadelphia, PA. The Vice Chair is Michael S. Parmet from Houston, TX. The other Trustees are Dr. Barbara Breitbart of Sedona, AZ, , Bertrand De Boutray of Seattle, WA, Sandra Moran of Naples, FL, Dr. Marcelo Oben of Mayaguez, PR and Irwin Weinberg of Cincinnati, OH. Advisors to the Board are John Burris of Spring, TX, Greg Eisenmenger Merritt Island, FL, Robin Jacobs of Mountainside NJ, Isabella Overend of Nassau Bahamas, Dr. Garrett Saikley of Honolulu, HI and Harold S. Small of San Diego, CA.
Contact information
For more information, contact us at:
Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs
The Chaîne House at Farleigh Dickinson University
285 Madison Avenue
Madison, NJ 07940-1099
Phone 973.360.9200
Email: chaine@chaineus.org