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Enthusiasm filled Clyde Dunphy's report to the membership at the Newfoundland Club of America (NCA) Annual meeting last April. As Chair of the NCA's Charitable Trust Management Board (CTMB), Clyde announced the celebration of "Rescue- 30 Years of Caring". We are very pleased to announce that since the inception of NCA Charities you have raised a total of $1,250,000 to help save Newfoundlands in need through rescue and to fund vital research through the Health Challenge.

For a small "Parent Club" of the American Kennel Club (AKC), $1,000,000 is hugely significant. It demonstrates a level of commitment that our breed fanciers share that says every Newfoundland is important to us, now and into the future.

The 1992 formation of the Scholarship Fund is one of many dates that is significant in the history of NCA Charities. Several major gifts were received that created today's funding capability: Gifts from the Elinor Ayres Estate, the Geraldine Irwin Estate and a donation from Anne Williams were landmark for their timing and use. The Scholarship Fund was directly started as a result of these generous gifts.
Junior Scholarship has provided college level tuition payments for 25 successful applicants that have shown an ongoing interest in caring for, training and showing their Newfoundlands. During the Junior and/or Senior year of high school these juniors submit applications to demonstrate their commitment to the Newfoundland and an essay detailing desire, experience and an insight into their life with a Newf. In some cases the funds have also applied to other "hands-on" training for dog-related careers.

DNA Collection at a National Specialty

In ancient Egypt the heart was considered the controller of the body. Thus, if learning a song, you "learned it by heart". Medical research has advanced since then. Yet, when we ask for Health Challenge gifts- it is "from the Heart". As a result, over $500,000 has been raised and donated since 1995, truly an indication that you "took our request to 'Heart'".

The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) and the Newfoundland Health Challenge (NHC) work very closely with the AKC Canine Health Foundation, the Morris Animal Foundation and others to review and select research proposals. RAC comprises the NCA's scientific resources and is instrumental in providing review and feedback regarding potential and active research projects supported by the NCA Trust, as well as opening and maintaining lines of communication within the research community. The members of RAC review studies based on many criteria including - is the study relevant to our breed (eg. "Copper Toxicosis In Bedlington Terriers" would not be funded), does it address a breed-specific health issue (eg. Sub Aortic Stenosis), does it address an issue which is prevalent across breeds (eg. osteosarcoma) or is it a study whose results will open doors on a broad front (eg. mapping genes)

During 2013 at the recommendation of the Research Advisory Committee, the Charitable Trust funded 6 different studies totaling $75,000. Since its inception the Health Challenge has raised over $574,000.00 and funded dozens of studies. Many of the studies have provided the new Technology and Procedures now resulting in the reduction of what used to be debilitating diseases. Such effort and success is paramount to meeting our goal of a safe and healthy future for every Newfoundland.

Many of AKC's Parent Clubs are approved as not-for-profit "Social Clubs" under sections 501 (c)(4)or 501(c)(7) of the regulations for the US Internal Revenue Service. For such "Social Clubs", however,  certain activities are taxable and donations to these organizations are not tax exempt. To be tax exempt an organization must fit within the requirements of section 501(C)(3)which requires that the organization provides specific services.

IRS guidelines include the 3 activities of NCA's Charitable Trust: Provide Education via Junior Scholarship; Provide Scientific Services, which NCA's Charitable Trust does via the Health Challenge; and Prevent Cruelty to Animals, which NCA's Charitable Trust does via Rescue.

IRS Regulations also define management meeting requirements, recording of Minutes and other stipulations necessary to separate 501(c)(7)from 501(c)(3). Regulations allow the Charitable Trust to have a Management Board (CTMB) that reports to a Trustee (NCA Board taken as a single entity).

Thanks to your support, dogs like Bella have safe forever homes

When the CTMB reports to the Trustee, a separate meeting is called to Order with separate Minutes. All transactions are also separate from NCA, Inc. (the legal name of our Parent Club).

It should be noted that some Parent Clubs have completely separated their 501(C)(3)organizations.The tax-exempt entity works completely independently from the Parent Club. This is not the case within our two Boards. In fact, the First Vice President of NCA, Inc's Board sits on the CTMB as a permanent position.  

All other CTMB members are vetted and appointment by the Trust is recommended by the CTMB. Members hold their position on the CTMB for staggered three year periods. Officers are elected annually by CTMB members: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.

There are 5 At-Large Members, including the NCA, Inc. First Vice President. reporting to the CTMB are specialized committees: Newfoundland Health Challenge, Rescue, Junior Scholarship, Policies and Procedures, NCA Endowment Fund and the Research Advisory Committee. The Rescue Prevention Committee remains reporting to NCA, Inc.

Dr. David Trueblood said, "It takes a noble person to plant a seed and grow a tree that will one day provide shade to those whom one may never meet". In 2012, through the support of Newfoundand owners like you, we were able to launch the Newfoundland Endowment Fund. This endowment will be used to help secure a safe and healthy future for every Newfoundland. Generous supporters have brought the endowment fund to $31,670 this year. Our challenge now is to grow the endowment fund to a self-sustaining level. Think about a future where the worry of hip dysplasia, bloat or SAS did not haunt Newfoundland breeders and owners or when a safe and loving forever home was waiting for every Newfoundland puppy born. Your donation today to the Newfoundland endowment fund can help to make that vision a reality. Gifts of cash, appreciated securities, real estate, art,  collectibles and other assets can all help to grow the endowment. Contact Andy Zinsmeyer to learn more.

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