Explanation of Operations "Securing COC's Future" Purpose: We provide financial support to the Christian Opportunity Center's mission of serving people with disabilities or other special needs. Mission: We solicit and receive gifts to the COC Foundation, and manage the assets with integrity to provide regular support and long-term financial stability to COC. Governance: The COC Foundation Board of Directors consists of seven members separate from the COC Board of Directors. The COC Foundation is a separate entity incorporated as a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. History: The COC Foundation has a long history of benefitting the taxpayers of COC's primary counties by providing for capital expenditures for new facilities. This means that counties often pay only depreciation expenses and no interest even though interest is an allowable expense. The Foundation also provides cash flow for the start up costs related to newly developed services and for acquired services. Support of COC's Mission Through Six Foundation Funds Each year, the COC Foundation makes available to COC, five percent of the three-year average of year-end COC Foundation assets as a means of directly supporting the mission of COC. The COC Foundation funds that are currently distributed annually are as follows: Staff Enhancement Fund: This fund provides for special rewards and incentives for COC staff members to continue their employment with COC. COC recognizes that the biggest challenge for quality supports for people with disabilities is a stable and well-trained workforce. Quality staff members translate to quality supports for people with disabilities. This fund is used in some unique ways to enhance staff recruitment and retention. Although all of the costs incurred by this fund could be built into our reimbursement rates, the COC Foundation has chosen to make a significant investment in a quality workforce apart from government funding. Special Education Fund: This fund honors COC's heritage with its beginnings as a special education program in 1969. Since moving the special education program to the local Christian schools in 1988, COC has made an ongoing commitment to subsidize the high costs of special education through the COC Foundation. Without this subsidy, local Christian schools might be forced to drop this program. This would result in increased costs to Marion and Mahaska County taxpayers to pay for additional special education students in the public schools where such services are mandated. Trip/Event/Camp Fund: This fund provides special trips or events for the people we support, many of whom would otherwise never have a vacation. The funds are available to all persons supported by COC. Spiritual Nurture Fund for Persons Supported: This fund provides support for spiritual nurture retreats and for the Friendship Bible Series program. Participation by persons supported is voluntary and COC respects the right of people we support to choose not to be involved in these activities. Special Needs Assistance Fund: This fund supports people with disabilities in Marion, Mahaska, and Warren Counties. It is open to anyone in these counties with a disability and is not limited to persons currently supported by COC. The primary consideration for grants is for adaptive equipment not available through other sources. International Ministry Fund: This fund provides assistance to people with disabilities in developing countries. In recent years, COC has partnered with Disability Awareness Missions in Kapenguria, Kenya to support their efforts in meeting the needs of people with disabilities in the West Pokot District. If you would like to make a contribution or learn about how to include COC in your estate or giving plans, contact Jim Hugley, Development Director at (641) 628-8087 Ext. 105 or e-mail him at jhugley@christianopportunity.org. Your gift will qualify for a tax deduction under the IRS and State of Iowa regulations for 501 ( c ) 3 not-for-profit corporations. Please contact us for more information. BARNABAS FOUNDATION