PASCO foundation

The PASCO foundation was established in 2002 as a response to continuing PASCO’s tradition of being an excellent community partner. The foundation’s mission is to support charitable giving and community involvement by encouraging employee contributions through payroll deductions. 100% of all donations collected are directed to the employee’s charity of choice.

The foundation also sponsors periodic campaigns to collect articles of critical importance, such as food and clothing, on behalf of local community service non-profit agencies. Through our Caring Corner, we have collected coats, canned goods, packaged foods, greeting cards, books, etc. to assist with the everyday needs of our local non-profit agencies.

STRUCTURE:

The foundation is structured as a separate 501(c)(3) entity from PASCO with its own Board of Directors, accounting system, and banking services. PASCO corporation contributes all overhead costs involved in administering the foundation to enable 100% of all donations to be distributed to the community.

The foundation uses two formal committees to fulfill its intended purpose. The Administrative Committee oversees general programs, manages fundraising and enrollments, and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding program implementation.

The Needs and Allocations Committee (N&A) performs an extensive process of on-site interviews with prospective recipient agencies to ensure that funds are used per grant direction, that the organization is fiscally responsible, and that the dollars make a verifiable impact in our community. This process is coined “responsible philanthropy” and is considered a best practice in our area.

PROCESS:

Annual fund raising campaigns within the company provide revenue for the foundation to distribute into the community. Since 2002, PASCO and its employees have donated over $500,000 for allocation to a wide variety of agencies throughout the community! Approximately two-thirds of our employees support the foundation through their personal giving.

Employees may “designate” or direct their contributions or elect their funds be managed through the foundation’s Community Fund. After the N&A Committee (normally 12-14 employees) has processed all the funding requests from the agencies, completed their interviews, and finalized fiscal responsibility audits, a voting process determines a recommended allocation of the community funds. The recommendation is taken to the Board of Directors for presentation, discussion, and approval.

REQUESTING FUNDS:

Agencies from local counties which wish to be considered for PASCO foundation funding must send a current 501(c)(3), most recent Tax Form 990, and an agency pamphlet. When allocating funds to approved agencies we look to balance the distribution among services for children and youth, services for the homeless, hungry, and disaster victims, and services for the elderly and disabled. Over the past five years we are proud to have funded agencies such as these:

• A Touch of Understanding
• Agency for Hearing
• Diogenes
• Friends for Survival
• Gold Country Telecare
• Head Trauma Support Project
• Roseville Home Start
• Law Enforcement Chaplaincy/Placer County
• Lazarus Project
• Linkage to Education
• The Senior L.I.F.E. Center of Loomis
• Ride to Walk
• Riding High Equestrian Program
• River City Community Services
• Seniors First Friendly Visitors Service
• Sierra Family Services
• Society for the Blind
• St. Vincent de Paul
• Transitional Living and Community Support, Inc.
• UPC Saddle Pals

In addition the PASCO foundation has contributed scholarships to two youth education programs, the Summer Science Camp for Kids at our local community college and a field trip for sixth graders to explore the natural environment of California’s north coast.

OTHER NEWS:

In April 2007 the PASCO foundation was honored at a regional People Helping People awards event. John Solheim, chair of the Needs and Allocations Committee, accepted an award for exceptional community support. We appreciate the nomination by our friends at A Touch of Understanding and are especially pleased to know that our contributions to the community are truly making a difference.

PASCO employees have volunteered at the Empty Bowls event (River City Food Bank fundraiser) for the past four years.

This year, PASCO employees held a bar-b-que for the Roseville Home Stay clients. A yummy time was had by all.

Please contact PASCO to receive more information on proposal submission and information.