The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust

Annual Report 2009

TheJohn Ben SnowMemorial Trust

THE JOHN BEN SNOW MEMORIAL TRUST • 50 Presidential Plaza Suite 106 • Syracuse, New York 13202 • www.johnbensnow.com2

John Ben SnowTHE DONOR

John Ben Snow was born and raised in Pulaski,

New York, a small village north of Syracuse.

He graduated from New York University in 1904

and soon thereafter entered F.W. Woolworth & Company.

A man of vision, he was attracted to mass market sales and

introduced innovative retailing techniques. He rose rapidly

through the ranks from stock boy to corporate director, ini-

tially in New York, and finally in Great Britain, where he

accumulated a small fortune through hard work, savings and

wise investments. After retiring from Woolworth in 1939,

Mr. Snow devoted the remainder of his life to building the

Speidel chain of newspapers and publishing the Western

Horseman. He was fond of animals, especially horses, enjoyed

racing, fox hunting, polo and range riding. Throughout his

life, John Ben Snow shared his wealth with relatives, friends,

business associates and fellow Pulaskians. He gave generously

and freely to those persons and causes he cherished. He pre-

ferred to “invest” in people, especially the young, by making

available financial assistance. He also believed in improving

the quality of life in a variety of communities. To further these

and other philanthropic causes, he provided in his will for a

charitable trust.

In 1975, two years after his death, The John Ben Snow

Memorial Trust was established in New York. The four origi-

nal trustees were a member of the Snow family, a lawyer, a

publishing associate and a corporate trustee, the Irving Trust

Company, now Bank of New York Mellon. All were close to

the donor and aware of his beliefs, values and ideals. The indi-

viduals named as trustees and their successors were empow-

ered to grant funds for educational, scientific and humanitar-

ian purposes to qualified organizations. They meet once a

year, usually in June.

The John Ben SnowMemorial Trust

FUNDING POLICIES

The mission of the Memorial Trust is to make grants withinspecific focus areas to enhance the quality of life in manygeographic regions. Historically, the Memorial Trust hasmade grants in the following program areas:

✔Arts and Culture✔Community Development✔Education✔Environment✔Historic Preservation✔Journalism

The Memorial Trust responds to the ever-changing needs ofvarious segments of the population, especially to the needsof young people and people who are disadvantaged eitherphysically or economically.

It is the Memorial Trust’s general policy to give preference toproposals seeking funds for new or enhanced programs, one-time, short-term grants to sustain a program until funding isstabilized, matching grants used to encourage the participa-tion of other donors, and “last dollars” towards a capitalcampaign.

The Memorial Trust will not accept proposals from individ-uals or for-profit organizations. Additionally, the MemorialTrust does not encourage proposals from religious organiza-tions or proposals for endowments, contingency funding, ordebt reduction. There are no minimums or maximum grantamounts; however, most grants range from $10,000 to$25,000.

GRANT APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The Memorial Trust is pro-active in seeking grant proposalsfrom qualifying 501(C)(3) organizations. Additionally, theMemorial Trust accepts unsolicited proposals from qualify-ing organizations.

An initial letter of inquiry must be submitted on organiza-tion letterhead and received by January 1st of the year inwhich a grant is requested. The initial letter of inquiryshould include the background of the organization, adescription of the proposed project detailing the time frameand anticipated outcomes, and a high-level project budget.The letter of inquiry should be addressed to the nearestregional office:

The Snow Memorial TrustC/O Jonathan L. Snow, Trustee50 Presidential Plaza, Suite 106Syracuse, NY 13202

The Snow Memorial TrustC/O Allen R. Malcolm, Trustee104 Church AlleyChestertown, MD 21620

The Snow Memorial TrustC/O Emelie M. Williams, Trustee 2975 Knight RoadReno, NV 89509

If the proposal meets the stated guidelines and priorities ofthe Memorial Trust, a grant application will be forwarded.


THE JOHN BEN SNOW MEMORIAL TRUST


All grant applications must be submitted using theMemorial Trust grant application form and must be receivedby April 1st of the year in which a grant is requested. Thefollowing information must also be included with the formalgrant application:

✔Executive summary (not to exceed one page)✔Detailed project budget including itemized expenses

and sources of income✔Listing of the Board of Directors including names

and board positions held✔A copy of the organization’s 501(c)(3) determination

letter from the IRS✔Most recent audited financial statement✔Organization budget

Failure to provide all of the required information will resultin the rejection of the grant application.

The Trustees may require additional information and possi-bly an interview or site visit. Any discussions or indicationsof interest should not be construed as a commitment by theTrustees. All complete grant applications are carefully con-sidered and evaluated by the Trustees. Applicants are notifiedin writing of the Trustees decision by July 1st. All approvedgrant applicants are required to sign and return a GrantAcceptance Agreement prior to any funds being released bythe Memorial Trust.

REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES

Because the Trustees assume that the grantee has a moral andlegal obligation to account for all funds received, eachgrantee is required to submit a formal report accounting forthe expenditures of the grant funds by March 1st of the yearafter the approval of the grant. This report should include:

✔Executive summary (not to exceed one page)✔Detailed narrative✔Financial accounting ✔Relevant attachments

All grant reports are reviewed by the Trustees. Any change inplans must be approved by the Trustees. If a grantee fails tosubmit a formal report, the Trustees reserve the right torequest that the grant funds be returned. Additionally, fur-ther grants will not be considered until a final report isreceived.


Bank of New York Mellon

Allen R. Malcolm

Jonathan L. Snow

Emelie M. Williams

TRUSTEES


GRANTS APPROVED AT THE2009 ANNUAL MEETING

*Denotes matching grant

ARTS AND CULTURE

Chester River Chorale, Inc. – Chestertown, MD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 2,500Orchestral support for 2009-10 season

Churchill County Museum Association, Inc. – Fallon, NV . . . . . . . . . .$ 8,500Publications on the Carson Sink site

Friends of Washoe County Library – Reno, NV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 5,000Funds for 12 art shows in local library

Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute – Utica, NY . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 12,000Summer ArtReach Program

Nevada Museum of Art – Reno, NV . . . . .$ 15,000Exhibit & archival support

Note-Ables – Sparks, NV . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 8,000Support for music classes

Paper Mill Playhouse – Millburn, NJ . . . . .$ 5,000Lighting Board Project

Prince Theatre Foundation, Inc. – Chestertown, MD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 10,000Children's Summer Theater Camp

Reno Chamber Orchestra – Reno, NV . . . .$ 3,500Student admission and music appreciation talks

Reno Philharmonic Association, Inc. – Reno, NV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 8,500Celebrate Strings

Signature Band & Choir Camp, Inc. – Syracuse, NY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 15,000Program for future college vocal majors

Sparks Heritage Foundation & Museum – Sparks, NV . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 8,000Renovation and expansion of interactive exhibits

Strathmore Hall Foundation, Inc. – North Bethesda, MD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 5,000Community arts programs

Syracuse Stage – Syracuse, NY . . . . . . . . . .$ 15,000ARTS Emerging

VSA Arts of Nevada – Reno, NV . . . . . . . .$ 8,000Arts in Bloom

$129,000

COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

Angel Kiss Foundation – Reno, NV . . . . . .$ 10,000Assistance to families with pediatric cancer

CARE Chest of Sierra Nevada – Reno, NV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 8,000Community outreach for diabetics

Casa De Vida – Reno, NV . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 7,500The Baby’s Closet

Central New York Community Foundation – Syracuse, NY . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 25,000Strategic Partnership Fund (Capacity Building)

Family Promise of Reno/Sparks – Reno, NV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 5,000Transportation for homeless families


FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Year Ending: 31 December 2008Total Assets: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ $20,897,711Excise Taxes: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 12,500Investment Revenue: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 775,174Grants Paid: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 1,191,500



Greater Pulaski Community Fund – Syracuse, NY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 15,000*Greater Pulaski Community Fund

Health Access Washoe County (HAWC) –Reno, NV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 10,000Health care for homeless women

Leadership Greater Syracuse – Syracuse, NY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 5,000*Project Community Match 15

Light House Annapolis Area Ministries, Inc. – Annapolis, MD . . . . . . . .$ 5,000Expansion of emergency shelter

Nevada Diabetes Association for Children & Adults – Reno, NV . . . . . . . . .$ 5,000Health and Wellness Program

Oswego County Opportunities, Inc. – Fulton, NY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 30,000Meals on Wheels facility renovation

Partners In Care, Inc. – Pasadena, MD . . . .$ 5,000Independent Living for Senior Citizens

Reno Bike Project – Reno, NV . . . . . . . . . .$ 7,000Free bicycles

Saint Martin's Ministries – Ridgley, MD . .$ 15,000Transitional residence for homeless women/children

Seaford District Library – Seaford, DE . . . .$ 2,500Library expansion

Weston T Hyde Oswego County Educational Foundation – Oswego, NY . . .$ 10,000Oswego County Literacy assessment

Westfield Area Y – Westfield, NJ . . . . . . . .$ 5,000Teen & Family Wellness Program

$170,000

DISABILITIES AND UNIVERSAL ACCESS

Cancer Hope Network – Chester, NJ . . . . .$ 2,500Volunteer training for support of cancer patients

Chesterwye Center, Inc. – Grasonville, MD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 2,500Expansion of building and services

Children's Institute – Verona, NJ . . . . . . . .$ 2,500Van purchase

Foundation Schools – Rockville, MD . . . . .$ 1,000Read to Succeed

Midland School Foundation – North Branch, NJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 5,000Therapeutic Riding program

$16,000

EDUCATION

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada – Reno, NV . . . . . . . . . .$ 8,000School Based Mentoring Program

Chamber Music America – New York, NY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 20,000Curricula development

Colgate University – Hamilton, NY . . . . . .$ 5,000Summer science camp

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation – Williamsburg, VA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 50,000Teachers' Institute in Early American History

Cumberland College – Williamsburg, KY . .$ 5,000Health, Exercise & Wellness Center

Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture – Doylestown, PA . . . . . . .$ 10,000*Purchase Equine Walker

Echo Hill Outdoor School, Inc. – Worton, MD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 12,500*Technical equipment update

Frederic Remington Art Museum – Ogdensburg, NY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 20,000Distance Learning Programming


Horizons at Kent School – Chestertown, MD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 10,000Summer education program

I Have A Dream Foundation, Inc. – Las Vegas, NV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 7,500Mentoring Program

Kent School, Inc. – Chestertown, MD . . . .$ 10,500*Development of Strategic Plan

Lincoln Center Institute – New York, NY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 5,000Focus Schools

Living Classrooms Foundation – Baltimore, MD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 10,000Living Classrooms experiential learning

Marist College – Poughkeepsie, NY . . . . . .$ 23,150*Digital Video Editing Platform

Montpelier Foundation – Orange, VA . . . .$ 5,000Teachers’ Seminar in American History

National Judicial College – Reno, NV . . . .$ 10,000Native American Scholarship Program

New York State Historical Association – Cooperstown, NY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 15,000Scholarships for Museum Studies students

Pulaski Academy & Central School – Pulaski, NY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 50,000Academic Achievement Scholarships

Pulaski Academy & Central School Alumni Assoc. – Pulaski, NY . . . . . . . . . . .$ 2,000*Scholarship support (matching grant)

Syracuse University, Maxwell School – Syracuse, NY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 250,000John Ben & Vernon Snow Fellowships

University of Nevada, Oral History Program – Reno, NV . . . . . . .$ 25,000Oral history project

University of Nevada, School of Medicine – Reno, NV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 50,000Health Sciences Education Building

$603,650

ENVIRONMENT

Chester River Association, Inc. – Chestertown, MD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 5,000Community outreach and education programs

Ithaca Children's Garden – Ithaca, NY . . . .$ 6,000For the Birds

Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful – Reno, NV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 6,000Awareness Campaign on Illegal Dumping

National Aquarium in Baltimore – Baltimore, MD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 5,000Chesapeake Bay Initiative

$22,000

HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Cayuga Museum – Auburn, NY . . . . . . . . .$ 20,000Restoration of Carriage House

Comstock Cemetery Foundation – Virginia City, NV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 14,000Restoration and preservation of historic cemetery

Western Folklife Center – Elko, NV . . . . . .$ 10,000Archival modernization & preservation

Westfield Historical Society – Westfield, NJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 10,000Restoration of Revolutionary War cemetery

$54,000

SPECIAL GRANTS

Village of Pulaski – Pulaski, NY . . . . . . . . .$ 6,000Maintenance of Snow Memorial Building

$6,000




GRAND TOTAL: $1,046,150

YOUTH PROGRAMS

Camp Speers-Eljabar – Dingman's Ferry, PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 10,000Upgrade program facilities

Parks & People Foundation, Inc. – Baltimore, MD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 7,500Kids Grow program

Safe Embrace – Reno, NV . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 9,000Youth education, advocacy and therapy

Tru Vista Foundation, Inc. – Sparks, NV . .$ 6,500Guardianship Program

Vitamin L Project – Ithaca, NY . . . . . . . . .$ 15,000Character education program

$48,000

Documents

The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust