Philanthropy Committee

PURPOSE
The Philanthropy Program of the DIA is overseen by the Philanthropy Committee of the DIA Board of Directors (“Board”) and is the means by which the DIA supports charitable causes that benefit the public and help to fulfill the mission, vision, and social responsibility of the Association as a nonprofit Section 501(c)(3) tax exempt charitable, educational, and scientific organization. Charitable causes include education through the exchange of information and ideas for the improvement of society through greater access to, and the proper and appropriate usage of, pharmaceutical products. DIA’s educational efforts also encompass better understanding of the health and economic benefits of such products through drug development and research.

COMMITTEE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Review and evaluate projects for funding;
2. Determine types of projects that will qualify for funding;
3. Determine funding allowance for projects within the Board determined, budgeted allocation ;
4. Identify ad hoc members and/ or establish sub-committees to help evaluate projects as needed;
5. Ensure compliance to the terms of funding decisions/grants made
6. Provide an annual report to the Board that includes an accounting of funding decisions;
7. Actively implement an outreach plan on an annual basis to generate the existence and purpose of the committee and availability of funding; and,
8. May seek additional funding through grants from other non-profit organizations.

AUTHORITY
The Philanthropy Committee is empowered to evaluate and select the final proposals for funding decisions based on the process described in the DIA Philanthropy Program. The Board will provide final approval of these selections at a designated Board meeting. The funding may not exceed the current approved amount of the annual committee budget granted by the Board and/or from funding received through grants from other non-profit organizations.   Additional funding requests that go beyond the budgeted amount must be approved in advance by the Board. Subject to Board approval, the Committee will have access to external professionals to render advice and counsel when necessary. If any contracts are required, Board approval will be needed.

MEMBERSHIP
The Philanthropy Committee shall be composed of at least two Board members.

Additional committee members may be Board members or DIA members, and should represent the diversity of the DIA general membership in terms of work setting and geographic regions, ideally including representation from all geographic regions from which members participate in the Association.

MEETINGS
The Committee shall meet as many times as necessary to accomplish its objectives and will conduct face-to-face meetings or teleconferences as appropriate to fulfill its obligations.  The Chair will assign and ensure that there will be an accurate recording of the final grant selections made available to the Board.

2011 AWARDEES
International Alliance of Patient Organizations: $25K for IAPO 5th Global Patients Congress

Parkinson's Disease Foundation: $15K for Clinical Research Learning Institute

Alstrom Syndrome International: $10K for The Alstrom Syndrome Handbook