The Ohio Cattlemen's Foundation
Building for Tomorrow through the FoundationBuilding for Tomorrow is more than just a catchy phrase. It is the Foundation's pledge of commitment for Ohio's beef industry and its focus is on the future. The Foundation was established to help build a bright future for the beef industry. It is a future with a healthy and thriving beef industry that delivers on its mission's objectives. Ohio has several unique challenges and growing rural-urban pressures. It also has quality feeder calves, most of which are shipped west to be fed in lots closer to processing facilities. Ohio's fed cattle industry has a long-standing reputation of producing high quality, grain fed beef. With Ohio's abundance of grain, forage, water and people, there are tremendous opportunities for not only maintaining the current industry, but also in building new opportunities through targeted niche marketing efforts. The industry leadership is mindful that for this vision for the future to become a reality there is tremendous education that must take place. Social acceptability of the beef industry from many facets is critical to the future. Therefore industry education efforts in terms of environmental best management practices, social outreach efforts and animal care are important to the Foundation. Additionally' education of the public in respect to these issues is also part of the Foundation's agenda.
Beef Education for Consumers and Producers through Foundation Activities
The Ohio Cattlemen's Foundation was established with two main objectives. The first objective is to engage in educational and scientific activities dedicated to the improvement of beef production and marketing practices, enhancing educational opportunities for those interested in the beef industry. The second objective is to teach influencer groups such as educators, extension agents, health professionals, and media representatives, as well as the general public, about diet and health, food safety, animal welfare, and environmental issues related to the beef industry.
Scholarships - The Foundation annually awards undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships for college students interested in pursuing studies in animal science or food science.
Youth Education - Through a variety of programs the Foundation provides nutrition, food safety, and other food and cattle related educational opportunities for youth.
Sponsorships - Achieving excellence in education through Foundation sponsored programs helps the beef industry to develop leaders for the future. Some of the programs currently sponsored by the Foundation are the Ohio and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Young Cattlemen's Conference, National Cattlemen's Beef Association Leadership Institute, Beef 509 Marketing Quality and Consistent Beef in Ohio, The Ohio State University LEAD Program, the Ohio 4-H Foundation and the Ohio FFA Foundation, and various other youth conferences.
Preservation of History -Developing a historical record of the cattle industry's development in Ohio, including educational materials, displays and exhibits is another important program of the Foundation. Presently there is a Resource Library within the Foundation's building that provides all types of resource materials related to beef and the beef industry. The library is open to the public and designed with educators and students in mind. Additionally, many other pieces of history are part of the Foundation, such as the display of past presidents of the Ohio Cattlemen's Association.
The Ohio Cattlemen's Foundation - a 501(c)(3) Public Charity
The Ohio Cattlemen's Foundation is a tax-exempt educational organization under Sections 501(a) and 510(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The IRS granted the exemption in a determination letter dated May 1, 1996, retroactive to April 12, 1995. As a 501(c)(3) organization the Foundation can solicit and receive gifts and contributions that are tax deductible under Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code. The IRS has also determined that the Foundation is a publicly supported organization (public charity) under Section 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi). An individual's tax deduction can be up to 50% of their "adjusted gross income" for contributions made to a public charity, such as the Ohio Cattlemen's Foundation. (For a copy of the Foundation's exemption application and IRS exemption letter, contact the Foundation's office at 614-873-6736.)
The Ohio Cattlemen's Foundation Background
The Foundation is an outgrowth of the Ohio Cattlemen's Association, a non-profit, membership organization with objectives of advancing the economic, social and political welfare of the state's beef producers. A board of trustees governs the Foundation, and officers are at arms' length from the governance of OCA.
The Foundation and the Association co-own the beef industry headquarters building for Ohio. The Foundation owns sixty-five percent of the structure and together the Foundation and the Association lease office space to the Ohio Beef Council. The Ohio Beef Council is provided for under the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985. It coordinates the producer-funded beef checkoff program that is designed to increase the demand for beef. As the building's majority owner, the Foundation insures that at a minimum, sixty-five percent of the building is used for educational purposes. The Foundation has no employees, and therefore, virtually all of its educational efforts are accomplished through the staff and auspices of the Ohio Beef Council and the Association. Much of their separate, but similar, missions are also educational in nature and compatible with the Foundation's objectives.
The Foundation served as the fundraising vehicle for a campaign to raise the funds to construct the beef industry headquarters building. The building was completed in 1997, and a special fundraising committee is continuing its mortgage retirement efforts. The building has a 40x26-foot conference facility known as the Roy M. Kottman Learning Center. Additionally, it provides many other resource areas, offices and storage areas for educational materials. The building is instrumental in many of the Foundation's educational programs.
Foundation Gift and Contribution Options
Because the Ohio Cattlemen's Foundation was established for long term beef industry educational efforts it can facilitate many different types of gifts. In regard to cash contributions, multiple year gifts are oftentimes attractive tax-deductible opportunities. In addition to cash donations, there are also many other attractive ways in which significant contributions can be made to help insure a bright future for Ohio's beef industry for many years to come. Some of these opportunities include wills, memorials, trusts, stock, and real estate. All donations should be made payable to Ohio Cattlemen's Foundation.
For additional information on giving opportunities contact:
Elizabeth Harsh, Secretary-Treasurer
614-873-6736
eharsh@ohiobeef.org
