Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions regarding the foundation or giving, please contact us.

Why does the Boys & Girls Club need an endowment?
The purpose of the Boys & Girls Club Endowment Foundation is to “secure the financial future” of the Boys & Girls Club of Billings and Yellowstone County. Our real purpose, however, is to provide "The Positive Place for Kids".

The Boys & Girls Club is a charity in the truest sense. The children (and families) we serve are, for the most part, not in a position to support the Club financially. Also, we are committed to keeping the Club affordable to all children; therefore, the membership fee for kids to belong to the Club is only $10.00 per year and $30.00 for the summer. Without consistent revenues or a constituency that can “pay” for the services provided, the Club must depend on generous donor contributions, grants, earnings from special events, and earnings from the Endowment Foundation in order to support its operations and continue to grow.

How much of my donation goes to the national organization, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America?
None. 100% of donor gifts are invested with our Endowment Foundation for the benefit of the Boys & Girls Club of Billings and Yellowstone County. The Boys & Girls Club does pay a nominal fee of approximately $2,200 per year to BGCA. In return, the Club receives staff training, program curriculum guidelines, and the opportunity to apply for grants funded through BGCA.

I notice that my memorial gifts and gifts to BACK-A-KID are now going to a new address that isn’t the Club – what gives?
The address to send all gifts benefiting the Club is: 208 North 29th #235, Billings, Montana 59101. This is the administrative office for the Boys & Girls Club Endowment Foundation. We are asking that gifts come to the Foundation office so we can distribute them to the clubs to help them provide programs and services to kids.

*Major gifts of $1,000 or more are invested with the Endowment Foundation to develop long-term support for the Club. 80% of the earnings on those gifts are provided to the Club annually.

How are earnings on permanently endowed funds allocated?
The Endowment Foundation’s board of directors is committed to seeing our permanently endowed funds continue to grow. For this reason, the board has chosen to allocate 45% of earnings annually to grow each endowed fund. Then, if a donor has chosen to benefit a club project such as facility improvements, 45% of the annual earnings are designated for that purpose. The remaining 10% of earnings (or 55% if there is no designation) are available for the board to use at their discretion for areas of greatest need.