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In January of 2006, the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation launched a
new program titled, Community Support Services. The goal of this new
program is to optimize administrative operations for local nonprofit
organizations and to help create efficiencies through shared staff and
functions. The Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation provides
community nonprofit organizations non-monetary support to permit each to
focus on their own missions. Ultimately, the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens
Foundation is working to internally strengthen the following funds,
organizations, and various community capital campaigns who have joined
the program since 2006:

Communities for Literate Iowa Kids (CLIK program)
Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation
Grinnell High School Alumni Association
Grinnell High School expansion capital campaign
Grinnell-Newburg Dollars for Scholars
Grinnell-Newburg Educational Excellence
Grinnell Aquatic Center capital campaign
Grinnell Public Library capital campaign
Imagine Grinnell
Iowa Transportation Museum capital campaign
Kids Against Hunger
Kites Over Grinnell
Studio 6

Types of support services provided by the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens
Foundation through the Community Support Services program:

Administration Support

Clerical Staff (Shared) – The Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens
Foundation shares internal clerical staff with these organizations.
Clerical staff performs general office tasks including monitoring
phones, filing, copying, etc. In addition, clerical staff assists with
mailings, daily and monthly accounting and reporting functions, and
performs other tasks as assigned.
Policy & Procedures – Assistance in the development and
implementation of standard policies and procedures. Policies and
procedures will be reviewed on an annual basis.
Phone System – Clerical staff is available to answer phones, take
messages, and is a general contact for these organizations.
Calendar Management – The Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens
Foundation's clerical staff maintains calendars for meetings, events,
mailings, etc.
Physical Space – The Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation is
allowing these organizations to utilize its conference rooms and
unused office space. Times are prearranged with clerical staff. In
addition, these organizations are able to utilize the lobby area and
building in general for annual fundraisers, recognition events, etc...

Human Resources Support

The Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation's staff assists in the
development and implementation of personnel polices and employment
practices. All policies and procedures and employment practices will be
reviewed on an annual basis.

Personnel Policies
Employment Practices
Performance Management
Hiring/Termination
Discipline
Payroll & Related Payroll Taxes & Returns – Calculated payroll and
monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll reports are prepared as
necessary. All payroll checks will be issued on the 1st and the
16th or next business day of each month. The Claude W. and
Dolly Ahrens Foundation does not have signing authority. All
checks will be signed by a representative of the Greater
Poweshiek Community Foundation.
Benefits Administration – Setup of employee benefits is provided
along with an ongoing service in the administration of those benefits.

Finance & Accounting Support

Budgets – The Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation's staff works
with the organization’s boards (and internal staff) to develop an
annual budget.
Monitoring & Analysis – Routine analysis is performed on financial
information to provide discrepancy reports and to develop trend
analysis.
Expense Management - A check request form must be completed
in order to receive reimbursements of any kind. All checks will
be issued on the 1st and the 16th or next business day of each
month. The Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation does not
have signing authority. All checks will be signed by a
representative of the Greater Poweshiek Community
Foundation.
Cash Flow Management & Analysis
Financial Statements – Monthly unaudited financial statements are
prepared for internal purposes.
General Accounting Services – Assistance with general accounting
services include bookkeeping, deposits, payments, etc. The Claude
W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation does not have signing authority for
either organization or have custody of their assets.

Risk Management Support

The Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation's staff assists in the
development of continual board governance, board handbooks, and
regulatory compliance. As the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation
becomes aware of new laws and regulations, its staff will pass this
information along to the organizations and assist in the development of
business practices that adhere to certification standards and regulations.

The Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation promotes the application of the
Iowa Principles and Practices for Charitable Standards of Excellence.