Policy for Use of the Donation from the First Congregational Church of Santa Ana

 

The Pilgrim Pines Board hereby restricts this donation, as recommended by the donor, to be used for capital projects and improvements to the facilities and grounds of the Camp. The funds would be not used, under this current restriction, for regular annual operating expenses, utilities, or salaries. The only exception to this restriction will be, as recommended by the donor, to allocate $25,000 each year for 2025, 2026, and 2027 for camperships, a total of $75,000.

 

All funds from the donation, once received, will be invested in the United Church Foundation in a balanced fund with both equity and stable value investments. The income from the investments would be added to the principal. Funds will be removed for projects as needed and approved. 

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Approximately $2 million is expected to be spent over the next 5-7 years, to first address the Board’s established priority project list. And, $3 million will be a long-term investment with 5% annual draw that would bring in about $150,000 a year to help with ongoing repair and upgrade costs to the facilities and grounds.

 

Project Management: Small projects can be headed up by a single staff person or volunteer. Larger projects will have a small team to support the decisions needed and oversight of vendors in order to complete the proposal. All projects will be done to meet appropriate laws and codes and will require at least 3 bids by licensed contractors or vendors (unless an exemption is granted by the Board). All projects should be as sustainable and energy efficient as possible, and add to the ADA accessibility of the camp whenever possible. All projects should incorporate a long-term vision for the mission of the camp and should be as high quality and long-lasting as the original construction, so that we can be good stewards of the very generously donated funds.

 

The Board and Facility Committee have already created a list of projects that will be the first priorities addressed with these funds. And, the Board will create a Camp Improvements Team, including both Program and Facilities representation, to receive project suggestions and to create priorities and make recommendations going forward.

 

The Camp Improvements Team (CIT) will receive suggestions and decide whether to recommend each suggestion to the Facilities Committee, who would then approve or adjust projects before they are sent to the Board for final approval. The CIT will create a format for suggestions to be submitted with necessary information (cost, vendor, project lead, timelines, etc). The CIT will also share about and celebrate completed projects with the donors and with the wider Camp community.