THE CFA SY HOWARD LEGISLATIVE FUND

I. Fund description

The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) Board of Directors at its June 1991 meeting established an allocated fund that will accept contributions received from individuals, organizations and/or clubs to be used in the legislative area. In 1998 the fund was renamed the "Sy Howard Legislative Fund". The purpose of the Fund is to address issues, related to legislation, of animal rights/animal welfare, dog and cat population dynamics and other concerns, that may impact CFA and cat fanciers, whether the matters are at the local, state or federal level. It is the intent to use these funds to oppose legislation or regulation that is detrimental to the activities of CFA participants, to encourage meaningful legislation and/or alternative solutions to animal welfare/population problems while protecting the interests of CFA, its participants, pet owners and cats.

II. Contributions to the Fund

Contributions to the Fund may be made by sending a check to the CFA Central Office to the attention of the CFA Executive Director, with the check being made payable to the CFA/Sy Howard Legislative Fund. The general contributions will support designated projects, programs, and/or activities approved by the CFA Legislative Committee. Contributions for a specific use may be matched by the Sy Howard Legislative Fund to the extent that funds are available. Contributions are not tax deductible.

III. Use of the Fund

A. Approval of all projects, programs or activities and/or the use of funds will be made by the CFA Legislative Committee.
B. The guidelines to be used by the Committee to determine appropriate use of the funds are to include, but not be restricted to:
  1. Assistance in lobbying and communicating with governmental bodies.
  2. Distribution of material related to matters involving animal rights/welfare and dog/cat population matters.
  3. Support of epidemiology surveys related to dog/cat population matters.
  4. Attendance of appropriate CFA individuals, such as the President and/or designated members of the CFA Legislative Committee or the CFA Legislative Group at hearings, meetings, symposiums or media opportunities related to legislative issues and/or animal rights/welfare and dog/cat population matters.
  5. Assistance to individuals and/or clubs or organizations to mobilize cat fanciers and to facilitate the distribution of information in the involved areas.
  6. Establishment of a rapport and/or working relationship with humane organizations, animal welfare organizations and other dog/cat related associations with whom cooperation and interaction would benefit CFA.
  7. Cooperative efforts in the legislative area with other pedigreed animal registry organizations where there are common interests and benefits to be achieved.

IV. Matching Fund allocations

A. Applications for matching funds for programs and projects:
A club, organization or individual, having raised and set aside funds for a specific use or program, must submit a written request to the CFA Legislative Committee, to the attention of the Chairperson, Joan Miller, seeking matching funds.

B. Requests for matching funds must set out the following:

  1. General background information on the organization, individual or group.
  2. Identification of the program or project.
  3. Description of how the program or project will be carried out and/or description of the activities involved.
  4. Description of the benefit which the program or project will have in the legislative area.
  5. An estimate of the time needed to achieve the objective described.
  6. A complete budget indicating all funds required and activities for which the funds are to be used will be required, including supporting data and documentation.
  7. Information regarding any other sources of funding solicited for the program or project.
  8. Evidence that the funds equal to the request for the matching funds are available, secure and specifically designated for the identified program or project.
  9. Once a project is approved solicitation for stipulated funds may be initiated and will be matched.

B. Reporting:

  1. Any organization, individual or group obtaining matching funds under this provision must file a quarterly report on the activity and accounting of the funds. This report is to be sent to the CFA Legislative Chairperson, Joan Miller. Further, if there are any funds left after the specific program or project is completed the unused CFA Sy Howard Legislative Fund contribution must be returned to CFA.
  2. Articles, press releases, reports or other publication of a program or project that has received matching funds must provide credit to CFA.

V. Special Contribution Fund allocations

A. Non-matching fund projects:
The CFA Legislative Committee will consider special projects or programs for which the matching fund allocation concept and procedure, as set out in Paragraph IV, may not be appropriate or practicable. To the extent that the Committee receives general contributions pursuant to Paragraph II above, the total of these donations will be usable for these special projects or programs.

B. Requests for funding:
Proposals for funding under this provision must contain the same information as that required for a matching fund program or project above and should also include a statement explaining why the matching fund is not suitable.

C. Other use of funding:
General or special contribution fund allocations may be used to enable attendance by appropriate CFA officials or other individuals designated by the CFA Legislative Committee to attend various meetings, functions or events involving legislative matters or issues. These conferences, meetings, or functions would essentially relate to legislative proposals governing animal welfare, animal population matters, licensing or regulation of ownership of animals and/or alternative solutions to animal welfare and/or animal population problems and issues.

Revised: January 2008