An open letter to QOVF.

I’m Confused

No really, the latest from QOVF Leadership indicates that the Group Fees will increase from $30 to $75 (150%) and that a Group Members Annual Fee will increase from $5 to $15. Which translates to a 2 Member Group Fee increasing 162.5%. Meaning, an individual Group Member will sustain a 200% increase in their dues. As explained; to cover the increase in operation of the Foundation.

With the Cost of Living Adjustment for 2020 being 2.8%, the Social Security Bump being only 1.6%, or 1.2% below the rise in the Cost of Living and for those still paying SS tax, an increase of 3.6%, an increase for many of nearly $300 more per year in SS Taxes. It’s hard for me to believe the operating costs of the Quilts of Valor Foundation can justify an increase of 10% not to mention at least 150%.

In 2017, to keep it simple:

QOVF Total Assets at the beginning of the year totaled $361,618.

End of Year, $533,916.

Total 2017 Liabilities at the End of Year were $10,573.

Total Revenue was $830,492

Total Expenses were $659,321 or

Revenue less expenses of $171,165.

End of Year Assets were reported as $524,057.

Am I off base in assuming QOVF is solvent?

2018, to keep it even simpler:

Total Assets End of Year $693,465

Total Liabilities $11,483

Reporting End of Year Assets at $681,982

It was interesting to see the Salaries, other compensation and employee benefits increase from 2017, $15,041 to $109,444 in 2018.

More interesting though is that Revenue from dues between 2017 and 2018 increased by 1.53%. Contributions, gifts and grants increased by 7.65% and Total Revenue from 2017 to 2018 increased by 5.5%.

So in an effort for me to understand the need for an increase of 150% per Group, 162.5% for a 2 person Group to continue to function and a 200% increase for a Group Member to maintain their Volunteer Member Status would someone from leadership please indicate the percentage of increase for each of the following categories stipulated by the current Executive Director in her e-mail that has created the need to seek even more from those that contribute the most. The Volunteer Members, now over 11,000.

“*There are costs to conduct business, even non-profit business. We support groups and do not bill each group for their portion of the cost for the following:” Tammany McDaniel, Executive Director

Please note…the stipulation was made that the following categories as listed by The Executive Director is what justified the need to develop a membership base to offset these costs and make it possible for Groups to maintain the total of their funds raised to purchase authorized goods and supplies to craft QOV’s. What exactly did the $81,121 from dues cover last year? Have those expenses increased by at least 150% since 2014? Personally I don’t think so.

  

-The permission to raise funds in our name

-General liability for meetings and events

-Trademark/Registered Marks use

-Banking and accounting is paid for at the national level with no flow-down of group itemized costs

-Marketing materials

-Wholesale products for your fundraising

-Fundraising organization and (increasing) support

-IRS and state audits

-Annual federal and state non-profit filings

-Where required, a 501(c)(3) in each state

-Where required a license to solicit funds in each state

-Software and system databases

-Leadership Training and Support (increasing).

At the same time can someone answer.

Who is seeking out celebrity endorsements?

Who is writing Grant Proposals?

Has someone in leadership even sought out someone to write proposals?

Who is actively seeking Corporate Sponsorships? (Not to be confused with Partnerships.)

Who is actively seeking volunteer and membership relations with industry to pass on material and supply discounts and benefits of quilting products?

Is it time for the Quills of Valor Foundation to adopt a democratic system with membership voting rights?

Les Page #9029

Volunteer Member since 2014

Volunteer Since 2009

Volunteer Member Longarmer since 2012

Former State Coordinator and Executive Staff Member

…and one very confused and frustrated individual concerned about those that have yet to receive a Quilt of Valor and how this type, of yet to be justified increase, will affect the future of our Mission and the future of the Quilts of Valor Foundation and it’s membership base.