More About The Neyer Foundation: Guiding Principles and Funding Guidelines

The Neyer Foundation was started in 1991 in an effort to give back to the community that has allowed Al. Neyer, Inc. and its affiliated companies to have so much enduring success.  It is a private, 501 (c) 3 foundation, funded primarily through annual contributions of a percentage of the profits of Al. Neyer, Inc.

The Neyer Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees made up of two owners of Al. Neyer, Inc. (past or present), who serve one three year term, and three non-owner employees of the company, who serve for one two year term.  The trustees who serve must be off of the board for one year before they can be selected to serve another term.

The Foundation accepts requests from any interested 501 (c)3 agency, but concentrates its giving in four main categories and three more automatic classifications.  The categories and the proportion of the total distributions for the year are:

Primary Humanitarian Needs:

This category covers the most basic human needs of food, clothing and/or shelter.  Groups receiving support from this category answer an immediate threat to the life and health of the people they serve. (25%-65%)

Secondary Humanitarian Needs:

This category is concerned with positively impacting mental or physical health and wellness which is not necessarily required for the preservation of life.  Groups receiving support from this category provide opportunities for self-improvement, self support, and self-sustenance.  (5%-25%)

Community:

This category focus is on cultivation, development, education and improvement of the cultural climate of our community and its amenities – things like recreation and arts are funded in this category. Groups receiving support from this category generally ensure the entire community benefits from its initiatives. (15%-35%)

Education:

This category covers furthering the ability to educate and improve education in our community.  Groups receiving support from this category have education as its primary mission.  Additionally, matching gifts of employees and retirees to educational institutions is covered. (10%-35%)

The next three classifications of gifts are equally important, but require less of the trustees’ evaluation because general parameters for giving have already been established.  Requests funded from each of these three categories are reported in whichever of the above four categories they fit.  In this way, total giving in a category can be accurately tracked.

Matching: 

The Neyer Foundation matches its employee’s, and Neyer family retiree’s, donations to educational facilities.  The amounts are $500.00 per institution per year, with a maximum of $2,000.00 per employee per year.   (0%-15%)

Staff Meetings: 

In an effort to encourage a spirit of volunteerism among its employees, as well as to support the groups they support, the Neyer Foundation grants $250.00 to a charity selected at random from those nominated by ANI employees at the monthly staff meetings. A group can be drawn only once within a calendar year. 

Memorial:

At times, it is appropriate for the death of a friend of the company to be noted with a contribution to a charity of their choice.  These gifts generally do not require the prior approval of the board.

Within the above outlined categories, the Neyer Foundation typically receives a number of applications for funding in each quarterly funding cycle.  The trustees evaluate each application against the following criteria:

1)      conformance to the overall mission of the Neyer Foundation

2)      validity of the request

3)      confidence in the requesting organization to use the funds wisely

4)      intensity and urgency of the need

5)      advocacy by someone at Neyer on behalf of the request

Point five warrants elaboration.  In an additional effort to support the charitable endeavors of our prime benefactor, Al. Neyer Inc., employees’ and to recognize the value they bring to our community beyond their professional contributions, special consideration will be given to requests that have the personal endorsement of employees or other friends of the company.  It is by no means guaranteed that all of these requests can be funded, simply an assurance that a patient ear will be given to requests that have earned the respect of the people we trust.

It is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees that the funds of the Foundation, along with additional contributions from Al. Neyer, Inc. and other sources, will continue to be carefully invested and shepherded to promote the Foundations growth to a size where it can make even more meaningful contributions for the good of our community and its people. To achieve this vision, the trustees will approve contributions totaling at least 5% but not greater than 10% of the Foundation’s beginning year assets unless otherwise approved by the shareholders of Al. Neyer, Inc. The trustees will consider all previous long-term commitments in the contribution targets. 

Please email us to request public financial data on The Neyer Foundation.