The Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA) Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, philanthropic organization dedicated to the home building industry and the important role it plays in the lives of all Americans, particularly those in Wisconsin. The WBA Foundation promotes training to develop the skills of individuals or groups in all businesses associated with the home building industry and encourages the educational pursuit of careers in that field. The WBA Foundation seeks to instruct the public on building industry subjects useful to the individual and beneficial to the community and promotes research for the advancement of the industry. The WBA Foundation is also committed to being a source of funds to assist when help is needed the most. From supporting disaster relief efforts across the country where homes have been damaged or lost to giving aide to those in difficult circumstances, the WBA Foundation is there.
Frequently asked questions about the Foundation
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Donor Funds of the Wisconsin Builders Association
Why should your local association set up a fund within the WBA Foundation?
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What types of donations will the Foundation accept?
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The WBA Foundation has a Fund Creation and Managment Policy
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More on the mission of the WBA Foundation...
Teaching For The Future
Everyone has the right to affordable, quality, safe housing, and builders and others in the industry who know their craft well are in the best position to provide it. The WBA Foundation recognizes that an educated and well-trained work force is essential and lists education for those in the home building industry at the top of its priority list. Scholarships and other funds are made available to individuals interested in pursuing opportunities for either continuing or primary education in careers related to the building industry. The WBA Foundation has pledged itself to improving the home building industry work force of today while creating an even stronger one for tomorrow.
Educated consumers also help to keep the cost of housing down and raise the expected level of quality. The WBA Foundation devotes funds to educating the public about building industry subjects that will help people better understand their rights and make informed home and home-related buying decisions.
Helping In Times Of Need
The WBA Foundation is committed to bettering our world through charitable acts. Providing aide to people in their times of need and improving circumstances for those less fortunate are paramount goals. Also, natural and other disasters can destroy property and devastate people's lives, and the WBA Foundation is proud to offer relief to individuals and communities in need following disasters that have caused damage or loss of homes.
Finding A Better Way
Technology is rapidly advancing in all industries, and the WBA Foundation seeks to ensure that advancements in the home building industry are on-going and well-researched. Funds are allocated to support programs which work to improve existing techniques and materials as well as those which investigate and develop new practices and products. Such research betters the building industry for both those who work in it and those it serves.
How You Can Be Involved
The WBA Foundation invites you to give back some of the good fortune the home building industry has given you by helping it to flourish through education, research and charitable acts. Materials, time and talents can be donated for use in educational programs or relief efforts, and your monetary gifts will ensure the WBA Foundation can carry out its mission now and well into the future. Outright Gifts are the easiest way to give to the Foundation; cash, stocks, bonds, real estate and personal property are most commonly given. Deferred Gifts are also encourage; such gifts typically result from one's estate plan and include bequests, life insurance, charitable remainder trusts and charitable lead trusts.
Fund Descriptions
Unrestricted Gifts
Unrestricted gifts provide the greatest impact for the WBA Foundation by allowing the Board to allocate funds to a variety of programs suitable to the Foundation's mission. Such funds respond to pressing needs and emerging opportunities as they arise. Gifts of any amount can be given and are co-mingled with all similar gifts.
Unrestricted Named Funds
Unrestricted named funds can be created by the donor and allow the Board to make final decisions regarding distributions. Donors will be recognized with each distribution from a named fund, with the Board making recommendations for funding of pressing needs and emerging opportunities as they arise. Unrestricted Named Funds can be created for gifts of $10,000 or more.
Field of Interest Funds
Field of interest funds can be created and named by a donor and can also accept smaller, non-naming gifts. These funds can be designated for general charitable interests matching the WBA Foundation's mission. Named Field of Interest Funds can be created for gifts of $10,000 or more.
Donor Designated Funds
Donor designated funds can be created and named by a donor. Such funds are established to benefit one or more specific charitable organizations. The Board will honor the designation of the donor as long as the designated organization continues to operate and provide service in keeping with the donor's wishes. Once the organization ceases to exist, programs with similar services will be supported to honor the donor's intent. Donor Designated Funds can be created for gifts of $10,000 or more.
Donor Advised Funds
Donor advised funds can be created and named by the donor and allow the donor to recommend distributions from the fund. While federal tax laws require the Board to make final decisions and distributions, donor recommendations are considered seriously. Such funds have the positive aspects of a private foundation without the annual administrative concerns or expense. Donor Advised Funds can be created for gifts of $25,000 or more.
