What does this Trust Fund do for the benefit of American Turners, its Districts, the Societies and the membership ?
We are best known for the many years that we have funded scholarship grants for qualified Turner members. Originally this was designed to aid those seeking a degree in physical education, thus providing future instructors for Turner societies and programs offered in physical education. Original funding for scholarships came from the National Ladies Auxiliary, later to be assumed by the Endowment Trust. As expenditures increased we received additional funding thru the NYTV 1850 Foundation that has enabled American Turners to increase the financial benefits offered thru its scholarship program and taking advantage of our federal tax exemption by way of the Endowment Trust. Over the following years both the concept and the benefits of this grant program have changed dramatically from its original concept. Whereas in the beginning scholarships were only provided for males we now offer equal opportunity to qualified male and female applicants; and whereas originally the only major considered for a degree was in Physical Education we now give consideration to all majors on an equal basis, although physical education is still given some preference. Also, the earliest scholarships were only granted for the American Turner Normal College at Indianapolis, Indiana, we now give consideration to any four-year program at any accredited College or University in the United States.
Equally important have been the grants awarded for the purchase of physical education equipment to be used in classes provided by qualified Turner societies, more commonly known as “gym grants”. This has helped numerous societies add new equipment and teaching aides as they became needed and helped provide the latest in safety and up-to-date apparatus for the instruction of our youth from the youngest beginner to the more advanced participants. These “gym grants” have included financial help for such sports as gymnastics and tumbling, volleyball, swimming, softball, fencing, track & field events, floor games, tennis, badminton and almost anything provided for in the gymnasiums and facilities owned and sponsored by our Turner societies.
In more current years the Endowment Trust has added a program providing a matching funds grant for the purchase of new computer equipment by Turner Societies. As the need became more common to access websites and programs to keep records and stay informed this has assisted our American Turners in having access to the latest electronic equipment available at the least expense for the use and benefit of all involved.
A lesser known function provided by the Endowment Trust involves larger sums of money in the form of loans made to societies for the betterment of their facilities. Exceptions have been made when necessitated by extreme disasters or acts of nature beyond anyone’s control or when changes were made in governmental building code updates . Occasionally it is with an eye to the future to better serve the membership. Originally limited to a maximum $10,000 loan it has been increased in recent years to a $25,000 maximum and currently to a $50,000 maximum. Any such loan is handled in much the same manner as if an outside financial service were involved, requiring a formal contract protecting all parties involved and secured by a mortgage on all Real Estate owned by the Society.
Not many members are aware that the Endowment Trust has a standing offer to grant each of our three National standing committees of Bowling, Culture and Physical Education that we will provide a maximum of $400 annually to each of these committees for the sole purpose of purchasing awards of their choosing for National competitions sponsored under their jurisdiction. This is not an automatic gift as it needs to be applied for with certain qualifying stipulations every calendar year.
The newest financial benefit provided by the Endowment Trust were created in 2006 thru the cooperation of the Jahn Fund, the NYTV 1850 Foundation and the Endowment Trust when they agreed to share equally in reimbursing Districts of the American Turners for specific expenditures made in the course of hosting competitive events within their Districts and for the participation and benefit of their District Societies.
Additional information and details about any of these grants and programs may be obtained by contacting American Turner’s national office.
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