At Marian Homes, our Board of Directors is committed to operating with the highest standards of accountability, transparency and ethics. We realize that if we are to be successful in expanding philanthropy for all, then we must adhere every day to our mission, vision and core values.
Mission
Marian Homes’ sole mission is to own and maintain group homes in Virginia for persons with intellectual disability.
Marian Homes’ sole mission is to own and maintain group homes in Virginia for persons with intellectual disability.
Vision
Our vision is to increase the options for adults with intellectual disabilities to live independently. We work with churches, government bodies, neighborhood associations, individuals and non-profit organizations to expand this dream in Northern Virginia.
Marian Homes was created in 1996 and we purchased our first home in the Brecon Ridge subdivision of Fairfax in 1998. The home is currently the residence to five women who live in a family environment as productive members of their community. Full-time care of the residents is provided by Chimes Virginia, a well-established provider of services in Virginia.
With the resounding success of its first group home and in recognition of the overwhelming need of this type of housing in Northern Virginia, Marian Homes purchased a second home in the Greenbriar subdivision of Fairfax County. This home, dedicated in 2010, is now the residence for five men and Chimes Virginia provides around the clock care for the residents.
Now, with the looming closure of the Northern Virginia Training Center, there is a short-term need for dozens of more homes in the near future to meet the basic needs of this special needs population. Marian Homes cannot solve the problem of finding a home for the 70 current residents of the Northern Virginia Training Center but seeks to raise sufficient money to purchase a third house and have it operational by mid-2015.
Marian Homes is administered by a 15 member ALL VOLUNTEER Board of Directors responsible for financial matters, fund-raising and home maintenance. With no salaries, benefits, corporate taxes, utilities, or other normal administrative expenses; your contributions go farther to helping the cause.
Our vision is to increase the options for adults with intellectual disabilities to live independently. We work with churches, government bodies, neighborhood associations, individuals and non-profit organizations to expand this dream in Northern Virginia.
Marian Homes was created in 1996 and we purchased our first home in the Brecon Ridge subdivision of Fairfax in 1998. The home is currently the residence to five women who live in a family environment as productive members of their community. Full-time care of the residents is provided by Chimes Virginia, a well-established provider of services in Virginia.
With the resounding success of its first group home and in recognition of the overwhelming need of this type of housing in Northern Virginia, Marian Homes purchased a second home in the Greenbriar subdivision of Fairfax County. This home, dedicated in 2010, is now the residence for five men and Chimes Virginia provides around the clock care for the residents.
Now, with the looming closure of the Northern Virginia Training Center, there is a short-term need for dozens of more homes in the near future to meet the basic needs of this special needs population. Marian Homes cannot solve the problem of finding a home for the 70 current residents of the Northern Virginia Training Center but seeks to raise sufficient money to purchase a third house and have it operational by mid-2015.
Marian Homes is administered by a 15 member ALL VOLUNTEER Board of Directors responsible for financial matters, fund-raising and home maintenance. With no salaries, benefits, corporate taxes, utilities, or other normal administrative expenses; your contributions go farther to helping the cause.
Special Relationship with the Knights of Columbus, Council 8600
Through their dedication to the ideals of the Order—Charity, Unity, Fraternity, Patriotism—and through their fidelity to Christ's Church and his Vicar, the Knights of Columbus continue to be what they were called long ago: "The Strong Right Arm of the Church." In Fairfax County, they also are the strong right arm of the community to advocate for those with intellectual disabilities.
In July of 1994, a group of St. Mary of Sorrows Knights of Columbus Council 8600 members began the initial planning to purchase a house that would enable a group of individuals to live independently because of the great need for additional community-based housing options for persons with intellectual disabilities. The Council established a non-profit organization now known as Marian Homes, Inc. for the purpose of purchasing and maintaining group homes.
The men contacted Chimes Virginia, a not-for-profit human service provider, and entered into a partnership with them, all under the supervision of the Fairfax County Community Service Board.
Since its founding by the Knights of Columbus, Marian Homes has become a model to the community in providing support to the intellectually disabled. The Knights members serve as the volunteer board and spearhead the governance, home maintenance and fund raising.
Through their dedication to the ideals of the Order—Charity, Unity, Fraternity, Patriotism—and through their fidelity to Christ's Church and his Vicar, the Knights of Columbus continue to be what they were called long ago: "The Strong Right Arm of the Church." In Fairfax County, they also are the strong right arm of the community to advocate for those with intellectual disabilities.
In July of 1994, a group of St. Mary of Sorrows Knights of Columbus Council 8600 members began the initial planning to purchase a house that would enable a group of individuals to live independently because of the great need for additional community-based housing options for persons with intellectual disabilities. The Council established a non-profit organization now known as Marian Homes, Inc. for the purpose of purchasing and maintaining group homes.
The men contacted Chimes Virginia, a not-for-profit human service provider, and entered into a partnership with them, all under the supervision of the Fairfax County Community Service Board.
Since its founding by the Knights of Columbus, Marian Homes has become a model to the community in providing support to the intellectually disabled. The Knights members serve as the volunteer board and spearhead the governance, home maintenance and fund raising.
KOVAR
From its inception Marian Homes has relied on the wisdom and resources of KOVAR, the organization created by the Virginia State Council of the Knights of Columbus to provide support to the intellectually disabled. With donations from all the local Councils in the Commonwealth, and through the funds collected in its annual Tootsie Roll campaign, KOVAR is able to provide funds to projects supporting the intellectually disabled. Funds are provided base on the need of each of the projects seeking support, without regard to faith, political, or cultural affiliation. KOVAR has assisted Marian Homes with two grants, one for each of Marian Homes two properties, thus assisting Marian Homes in enhancing the houses for the greater comfort and safety of the residents. KOVAR has also provided zero interest mortgages to Marian Homes, thus lowering the monthly operating costs of the two houses.
From its inception Marian Homes has relied on the wisdom and resources of KOVAR, the organization created by the Virginia State Council of the Knights of Columbus to provide support to the intellectually disabled. With donations from all the local Councils in the Commonwealth, and through the funds collected in its annual Tootsie Roll campaign, KOVAR is able to provide funds to projects supporting the intellectually disabled. Funds are provided base on the need of each of the projects seeking support, without regard to faith, political, or cultural affiliation. KOVAR has assisted Marian Homes with two grants, one for each of Marian Homes two properties, thus assisting Marian Homes in enhancing the houses for the greater comfort and safety of the residents. KOVAR has also provided zero interest mortgages to Marian Homes, thus lowering the monthly operating costs of the two houses.
Internal and External Oversight
The Directors who serve and oversee Marian Homes help to develop and advance the interests of our client residents in ways that go beyond just raising money. For our Board of Directors, good governance is more than just supporting the organization – it also means representing the community’s interests in what we do. As such, the members of our Board of Directors have three fundamental legal obligations, or fiduciary duties, which apply to everything Marian Homes does.
· Duty of Care: “the amount of care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise in a like position and under similar circumstances”. This describes the criteria our Directors must give to making decisions on behalf of Marian Homes.
· Duty of Loyalty: keeping the interests of Marian Homes in mind at all times when making decisions on behalf of the organization.
· Duty of Obedience: requires board members to be faithful to our mission; consistent with the mission statement, Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, and tax-exemption documentation.
Working in partnership with the Knights of Columbus, KOVAR, St. Mary of Sorrows’ Catholic Community, Chimes, Fairfax County, our donors and our neighbors, the Directors seek to expand the services and impact we have in Fairfax County and beyond.
Our program was recognized by the Knights of Columbus as the best community program of the year in 2013. We also were a finalist for the national recognition.
The Directors of Marian Homes take seriously our responsibility to be accountable, transparent and responsive to the needs of our donors. That's why we have created this web-page as a convenient, comprehensive source of critical information that donors need to make informed giving decisions.
The Directors who serve and oversee Marian Homes help to develop and advance the interests of our client residents in ways that go beyond just raising money. For our Board of Directors, good governance is more than just supporting the organization – it also means representing the community’s interests in what we do. As such, the members of our Board of Directors have three fundamental legal obligations, or fiduciary duties, which apply to everything Marian Homes does.
· Duty of Care: “the amount of care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise in a like position and under similar circumstances”. This describes the criteria our Directors must give to making decisions on behalf of Marian Homes.
· Duty of Loyalty: keeping the interests of Marian Homes in mind at all times when making decisions on behalf of the organization.
· Duty of Obedience: requires board members to be faithful to our mission; consistent with the mission statement, Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, and tax-exemption documentation.
Working in partnership with the Knights of Columbus, KOVAR, St. Mary of Sorrows’ Catholic Community, Chimes, Fairfax County, our donors and our neighbors, the Directors seek to expand the services and impact we have in Fairfax County and beyond.
Our program was recognized by the Knights of Columbus as the best community program of the year in 2013. We also were a finalist for the national recognition.
The Directors of Marian Homes take seriously our responsibility to be accountable, transparent and responsive to the needs of our donors. That's why we have created this web-page as a convenient, comprehensive source of critical information that donors need to make informed giving decisions.
Organizational Information
Marian Homes is the recipient of regular donations from Knights of Columbus Council 8600, as well as from members of that Council who have pledged to provide over $75,000 over a five-year period. We are a relatively new member of the Combined Federal Campaigns and receive donations from federal employees who use the CFC to make payroll donations to selected charities. Our first year income from CFC was $8,500 and it is difficult to forecast what income will be generated over the next few years, though we are trying to publicize our CFC number more widely.
We rely on the routine donations from Council 8600 and its members to meet the majority of operational expenses. The requirement for capital funds to address the project described in this proposal has necessitated our relying on special fundraising initiatives such as the group cruise sponsorship, the CFC, special events (such as Bingo), and requests for donations from target audiences. I
We lease our two properties to Chimes and this business arrangement allows us to be totally self-sufficient with contributions and monthly income providing the two pillars or our support. Fund-raising helps to support our home maintenance and the fund to establish additional homes in the area.
Legally Incorporated: Marian Homes is incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Here is a link to the by-laws.
Marian Homes By-laws and Articles of Incorporation
Tax Exempt: Marian Homes is recognized by the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as tax-exempt organizations. Here is the IRS Determination letter for Marian Homes.
Volunteer Governance: The volunteer-run Board of Directors that provides internal oversight to the organization.
Professionally Staffed: Here is a link to the business partner CHIMES website which provides professional staffing to our residents
Independently Audited: Here is a link to the Marian Homes 2013 Audit.
IRS Verified: Here is a link to the copy of Marian Homes 2013 IRS Form 990. Marian Homes is listed in IRS Publication 78 and the IRS database of exempt-organizations.
Marian Homes is the recipient of regular donations from Knights of Columbus Council 8600, as well as from members of that Council who have pledged to provide over $75,000 over a five-year period. We are a relatively new member of the Combined Federal Campaigns and receive donations from federal employees who use the CFC to make payroll donations to selected charities. Our first year income from CFC was $8,500 and it is difficult to forecast what income will be generated over the next few years, though we are trying to publicize our CFC number more widely.
We rely on the routine donations from Council 8600 and its members to meet the majority of operational expenses. The requirement for capital funds to address the project described in this proposal has necessitated our relying on special fundraising initiatives such as the group cruise sponsorship, the CFC, special events (such as Bingo), and requests for donations from target audiences. I
We lease our two properties to Chimes and this business arrangement allows us to be totally self-sufficient with contributions and monthly income providing the two pillars or our support. Fund-raising helps to support our home maintenance and the fund to establish additional homes in the area.
Legally Incorporated: Marian Homes is incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Here is a link to the by-laws.
Marian Homes By-laws and Articles of Incorporation
Tax Exempt: Marian Homes is recognized by the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as tax-exempt organizations. Here is the IRS Determination letter for Marian Homes.
Volunteer Governance: The volunteer-run Board of Directors that provides internal oversight to the organization.
Professionally Staffed: Here is a link to the business partner CHIMES website which provides professional staffing to our residents
Independently Audited: Here is a link to the Marian Homes 2013 Audit.
IRS Verified: Here is a link to the copy of Marian Homes 2013 IRS Form 990. Marian Homes is listed in IRS Publication 78 and the IRS database of exempt-organizations.
“Growing Our Partnership for the Intellectually Disabled One Home at a Time”