Miles White Beneficial Society of Baltimore Annual Reports
The text of recently received Annual Reports are below, with the most recently received at the top and older reports below. To jump to a particular report, simply click the year listed below.
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| 2016 Report | 2017 Report | 2018 Report | 2019 Report | 2020 Report |
| 2021 Report | ||||
2021 Miles White Beneficial Society of Baltimore Annual Report
No report received.
2020 Miles White Beneficial Society of Baltimore Annual Report
There have been astounding changes in our world since the Miles White Beneficial Society of Baltimore City shared its annual report with the Baltimore Yearly Meeting in the summer of 2019. Early in the winter of 2020, we received reports of a highly contagious novel coronavirus capable of infecting huge numbers of the population and causing fatal respiratory illnesses in vulnerable members of our communities. By March, as the Society was implementing its annual funding cycle, it became clear that the COVID-19 pandemic would change the way we conducted the business of the organization and indeed the way we lived our everyday lives.
The Miles White Board of Trustees began the year 2020 with what seemed like remarkable promise and high expectations. We had allocated $180,000 in funding, a significant increase from the previous year, to (a) provide support for non-profit organizations that serve individuals who need support in daily living, (b) fund scholarships for students for undergraduate studies, (c) support educational programs and institutions that enhance the lives of children, and (d) fund summer programs for children in the Greater Baltimore area.
Also, the Board committed itself to the practice of consistently funding programs even in times of crisis and concern rather than reducing funding and retreating in engagement. It is now the formal position of the organization that in times of crises non-profits and the people they serve need support most.
The pandemic would not be the only crisis that our communities would face. Because of the shelter-in-place method to combat community spread of the virus, an economic crisis became apparent with the reduction of commerce and the loss of a significant number of jobs. Then, on May 25 the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, brought dismay and unrest that has been manifested in protests across the country and heightened calls for racial and social justice.
Throughout crises and concerns, continuing the work of the organization has become our focus. Technology has been an essential tool as committee and board meetings have been held on virtual platforms. The work continues. In May and June, the Education Committee and the Special Projects for Summer Programs Committee presented recommendations to the Board for approval. The Charities Committee is currently receiving proposals for funding and is scheduled to present recommendations to the Board in September. The Miles White Beneficial Society is encouraged and pleased that our work moves forward on schedule. It is also encouraged by our willingness to be patient and forgiving in our work, our readiness to recognize creativity and innovation to address circumstances in changing times, and our ability to ask meaningful questions in searching for pertinent information before making decisions.
Challenges and Goals
The year 2020 has challenged the Society in a variety of ways. Although conducting business through the use of virtual platforms for videoconferencing has enabled the Board to continue its work, it has become apparent that we must exercise care to work with and relate to others in the manner of the Religious Society of Friends. We must resist the tendency to rush to conclude business in a designated amount of time. We must remind ourselves that in our quest for unity all voices must be heard. We must commit ourselves to be worshipful in our deliberations and open to hearing the Spirit in our discernment.
Another challenge for Miles White has been to continue to clarify its relationship to the Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM) since becoming a supporting organization of the Yearly Meeting in 2011. What responsibilities or obligations does a supporting organization have to the organization that it supports? What are the reasonable and appropriate expectations of both the supported organization and the supporting organization? Progress continues in the quest. The Society will review the Declaration by Baltimore Yearly Meeting as an Anti-Racist Faith Community and seek to apply its principles and guidelines to our decision-making processes. Moreover, the Society is appreciative of the response of the BYM Nominating Committee in identifying new board members who will become engaged in the life and work of our organization as three of our long-serving members complete their tenures of service in October 2020.
The third challenge for the Society is to fully engage the Board in the process of anticipating and preparing for changes in our world and consequently changes in the work of our organization. Through visioning and strategic planning, we will reflect on how the Miles White Beneficial Society can make the greatest impact on our communities and best serve individuals, families, and children. Members of the Board will envision the possibilities that lie ahead, determine how we will address challenges that will rise, and find solutions to meet those challenges. Finally, we will identify goals to guide our work, define a plan and a path to ensure that the Society continues to positively impact the wellbeing of people we serve and to ensure that the organization remains viable and strong into the years that follow.
Board of Trustees
The Miles White Beneficial Society of Baltimore City
Herbert Clark Gulielma Leonard Fager
Phillip Fratesi Elizabeth Harlan
John McKusick William Miles
Kathryn Munnell Kathryn Pettus
Deepti Scharf Amy Schmaljohn
2019 Miles White Beneficial Society of Baltimore Annual Report
The Business of our Lives
. . . to turn all the treasures we possess into the channel of universal love becomes the business of our lives. John Woolman
This year’s report begins with a quote from John Woolman, the 18th century Quaker writer, whose journal provides a record of his spiritual life and thought as he reflects on the inseparable relationships among humankind and how to best care for the common interests of our community. What are the responsibilities of those who have many resources for those who have few? What is the best way to “channel” resources to support those in need?
Throughout his life, Miles White had been noted as a philanthropist. But in 1874 White, at the age of 82, made it the business of his life to create a corporation to promote “piety and Christianity, to extend aid to the young in their religious, moral and intellectual training and education, and to relieve the deserving poor.” Today, the business of the Miles White Beneficial Society of Baltimore City is to serve as a “channel” of funds from White’s generous bequest to support the education of the young, to support projects undertaken by educational institutions, and to provide resources for charitable organizations.
Stewardship is essential to the life and business of the Society. Members of the Board of Trustees not only serve as stewards of the bequest that White left to support the corporation, but we also serve as stewards of processes that trustees through the generations have developed to identify recipients of grants and scholarships that reflect the ideals that prompted White to act so generously in the interest of others so many years ago.
Outcomes for 2018-2019
The Society continues to serve as a steward of the interests of its founder, Miles White. In 2018-2019, it supported eleven charitable organizations in the metropolitan Baltimore area, and it awarded grants to support initiatives sponsored by six educational institutions or organizations. The Society awarded scholarships to nine undergraduate students whom it designated as Miles White Scholars, a distinction that represents White’s care for the intellectual growth and achievement of young people. The Society also awarded grants to three community organizations that sponsor summer programs for children in Baltimore City.
Challenges
Although the Society is well positioned to continue service through the years, its most evident challenge is maintaining a strong and stable board of trustees. It has been fortunate in having dedicated trustees who work diligently to do the work of the organization. However, ultimately terms of service end, and the organization depends on Friends to answer the call to join in the business of stewardship. Because the Society is a supporting organization of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, it depends on the BYM Nominating Committee to engage interested individuals in the life and work of the organization.
A second challenge is one for those who serve on the Board of Trustees. Though we must be versatile and forward thinking in our work, we must remain committed to the interests of those we serve and mindful of the vision of the founder and benefactor of the corporation. Fortunately, stewardship is a guiding force. In the role of trustees of the board of the Miles White Beneficial Society of Baltimore City, stewardship is the business of our lives.
Board of Trustees
The Miles White Beneficial Society of Baltimore City
Herbert Clark
Robert Fetter
Phillip Fratesi
Elizabeth Harlan
John McKusick
William Miles
Kathryn Pettus
Deepti Scharf
Amy Schmaljohn
Note:
“Here we have a prospect of one common interest from which our own is inseparable – to turn all the treasures we possess into the channel of universal love becomes the business of our lives.” John Woolman, A Plea for the Poor, Pendle Hill Pamphlet 357.
2018 Annual Report
The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. (Proverbs 18:4)
The 2017-2018 Annual Report of the Miles White Beneficial Society of Baltimore City is in part a reflection on resources – financial and human – that support philanthropic initiatives. In addition, through this report the Board shares historical notes that frame the description of the Society and its work, organizational changes in recent times and their impact on current operations, and challenges that the Society must meet.
Historical Notes
At 82 years of age, Miles White created the corporation that bears his name and provided a continuing source of revenue for the work that would be done on behalf of the organization that he called the Miles White Beneficial Society of Baltimore City. White was concerned about promoting “piety and Christianity” and believed that a wise way to accomplish this objective was to support the education of the young and provide charity for the poor. His bequest has become a wellspring, a flowing brook that provides funds for philanthropy through a generous endowment.
Outcomes for 2017-2018
Because of the wisdom and goodwill of its benefactor, in 2017-2018 the Society provided scholarships to 12 undergraduate students and funded four educational initiatives. It provided funds to five community organizations that sponsor summer programs for children and youths in Baltimore City, and it supported ten charitable organizations in the metropolitan Baltimore area and two other organizations that reach beyond the city in service to others. Throughout the year Board members have worked diligently to continue the Miles White legacy of supporting the education and development of young people and funding charitable agencies that serve individuals who need assistance and support.
Organizational Changes
Miles White had imagined that the work of the corporation would be managed by a small group of seven Friends who would serve over the years according to the Articles of its Certificate of Incorporation. The Board would be a self-perpetuating entity to ensure that its membership would remain strong and stable. He was also careful to establish a link between the corporation and Baltimore Yearly Meeting by requiring the Society to report annually about its operations to the meeting. It was in this manner that the Board functioned for 136 years.
In 2010 the Miles White Beneficial Society of Baltimore City became a supporting organization of the Baltimore Yearly Meeting, with the Society’s Board coming under the control of the Yearly Meeting through its nomination and approval process. The Society has continued to do philanthropic work as described in its bylaws, policies and guidelines and in a manner that reflects the values of Friends. It has quietly and discretely assisted individuals and organizations and has supported the work of the Yearly Meeting as well. It has been a wise guardian of the bequest, and White’s wellspring of financial support will continue to bubble and flow into the future.
Challenges
Although the Miles White Beneficial Society is financially well endowed, its Board understands that it must attract, develop, and maintain the human resources that are required to continue its work. The most critical challenge to the Society is creating a wellspring of Friends from which will flow volunteers and future board members who will embrace its work and support its commitment to our undergraduate students, children of our communities, and individuals who need assistance. As the Board works to meet this challenge, it invites and requests the support of the Yearly Meeting and all Friends who are committed to service and who are led to step into the stream, the flowing brook of care and concern for others.
Board of Trustees of the Miles White Beneficial Society
Herbert Clark
Rosalie Dance
Robert Fetter
Phillip Fratesi
Elizabeth Harlan
John McKusick
William Miles
Kathryn Pettus
Amy Schmaljohn
2017 Annual Report
The Miles White Beneficial Society of Baltimore City has engaged in work for educational, charitable and beneficial purposes since its incorporation in 1874. Through 143 years and changing times, the organization continues its legacy of supporting the education and development of young people and funding charitable agencies that serve individuals who need assistance and support.
At its Annual Meeting in October 2016, the Board elected officers who serve one-year terms in their positions and welcomed one new member who will serve a three-year term as a trustee. It was also at this meeting that the president of the investment firm that manages the Society’s funds presented a comprehensive performance report and provided financial projections for the next year. Income from the fund is used to support the corporation’s philanthropic and benevolent purposes.
In November 2016, the Board confirmed the assignment of members to either the Charities Committee or the Education Committee. These committees direct and administer the processes of identifying and recommending students, educational organizations, and charitable agencies as recipients of funds awarded by the Society.
In April 2017, the Board approved the recommendation of the Education Committee to award scholarships to 11 college students and recognized those recipients as Miles White Scholars in tribute to the vision and generosity of the benefactor for whom the Society is named. Three educational organizations received grants to support programs and to improve technology.
In May 2017, the Board approved funds to award grants to organizations in Baltimore City that sponsor programs that involve children and youths in positive activities of discovery and engagement during the summer months. Awards were made to programs that serve the following Baltimore neighborhoods: Druid Heights, Fulton, Jonestown, Oldtown, Penn-North, and Sandtown-Winchester. This is the second year that the Ad Hoc Committee for Special Projects oversaw the selection of qualifying programs and the distribution of funds.
The Charities Committee will bring its recommendations for this year to the Board in September and will continue its tradition of supporting 501(c)(3) charitable organizations in the Greater Baltimore Metropolitan Area. The Society awarded grants to nine agencies in 2016, and it expects to award a similar number this year.
The Board has also engaged in processes to ensure that the corporation is supported by an infrastructure that provides strength, stability and longevity. It has reviewed its connections to related organizations, and it has identified the evaluation of programs as a priority for the coming year. It is developing a conflict of interest policy and has acquired insurance that protects both the Corporation and its Board of Trustees. The Society is committed to its work and looks forward to continuing its legacy through philanthropy and benevolence in contemporary times.
Submitted by Kathryn Pettus (Baltimore, Stony Run), President
2016 Annual Report
The By-Laws of the Miles White Beneficial Society place its meetings on a schedule on which its Annual Meeting takes place on Tenth Month. Therefore its report to BYM begins with activities starting at that point in 2015.
The Annual Meeting was concerned with the approval of the continuation of the current officers and a review if the year’s work based on its own Annual Report. In 11th month the Board met with the President of the Mount Vernon Associates (the holders of the Society’s funds) The report included a comprehensive review of the fund activities for the year and projections for the coming year. The Trustees discussed with him the various holdings and continued the directions for them to conform to Quaker concerns.
The Board continued its pattern of dividing its fund’s income between recipients in the fields of Education and Charities. Two committees are each charged with setting the requirements for funding and overseeing the correspondence with applicants. Responses from applicants are reviewed by each committee and proposals are brought to the full Board for approval.
This year 13 college students, which are now being named ‘Miles White Scholars,’ and three educational organizations were approved for funding through the Education Committee. The Charities Committee will be bringing its proposals for funding to the Board in Ninth Month.
This year the Board of Trustees made the decision to award special funds to organizations in Baltimore City which support the positive development of youth focusing upon education, conflict resolution, or other ways to reduce violence. With the approval of the Board, an ad hoc committee oversaw the selection of programs and distribution of funds to be used for summer programs. The funds went to programs in Sandtown, Jonestown, and Penn-North - areas of significant unrest in the City.
The ten member Board of Trustees appreciated the greatly needed approval of enabling its members to serve three terms in order to adequately carry out the responsibilities and to achieve the purposes of the organization.
Mary Ellen Saterlie (Little Falls), President
2015 Annual Report
The Miles White Beneficial Society continued its mission during the past year by providing scholarships and grants to worthy individuals and organizations, most of whom have Quaker connections or provide services which are commensurate with Quaker values.
The Society has established two committees to disperse funds on an annual basis. The Committee on Education recommended to the Board the distribution of scholarship funds in March to thirteen applicants from the following Monthly Meetings: Dunnings Creek, Frederick, Gunpowder, Homewood, Little Falls, Maury River, Midlothian, and Stony Run. Grants were also awarded to Baltimore Yearly Meeting Camping Program, Friends School of Harford, McKim-City Springs, and Pendle Hill.
The Committee on Charities has issued requests for proposals to twelve organizations in four general areas of need: education, medical assistance, social services and housing. All are located within the Greater Baltimore area. Proposals are due on July 1. The Committee will make recommendations for allocation of funds to the Board in August.
2014 Annual Report
The Miles White Beneficial Society was established in June of 1874 and received $100,000 under the will of Miles White, a member of the Eutaw Street Meeting, the predecessor of Baltimore Monthly Meeting, Homewood. The objects of the Society, stated in the certificate of incorporation, are to “promote piety and Christianity (especially by the dissemination of books and tracts), to extend aid to the young in their religious, moral and intellectual training and education, and to relieve the deserving poor.”
The Board of Trustees of the Miles White Society has nine members. From August 2013 through June 2014, we met eight times, including a dinner meeting with our asset managers. The function of the Board is to manage the assets and award grants.
In Fall 2013, we made awards to six charitable organizations in the Baltimore area totaling $30,000. We will award the 2014 grants to charitable organizations in the Baltimore area after September 1.
This year, 2014, we have awarded twelve individual scholarships totaling $34,300 for undergraduate education. Scholarship funds will be distributed in July.
We have awarded three grants totaling $5,700 to educational institutions: $500 to Little Falls Monthly Meeting for books, $1,500 to Pendle Hill for scholarships for a conference of Young Adult Friends, and $3,700 to the Baltimore Yearly Meeting’s Working Group on Diversity at Camp.
Miles White Society funds are managed by the Baltimore asset management firm Mount Vernon Associates. We find them efficient and appropriately concerned with looking out for our social justice concerns in investing.
We were impressed with the qualifications of our Baltimore Yearly Meeting undergraduate student scholarship applicants this spring. We are very pleased to have the opportunity to support them. We are also deeply impressed by the good work of the organizations that we support and are grateful that we are able to support them during this time of economic hardship for so many people.
Mary Ellen Saterlie (Little Falls), President
2013 Annual Report
The Miles White Beneficial Society of Baltimore City, in its 138th year of existence, has continued to follow the purposes set forth by its founders:
The objects of the Corporation shall be to promote piety and Christianity (especially by the dissemination of books and tracts), to extend aid to the young in their religious , moral and intellectual training and education, and to relieve the deserving poor.
In that spirit, the Board of Trustees distributed a total of $15,000 in college scholarships to six students who are Quaker or closely connected with Friends activities. It also provided a total of $16,000 to five charitable and educational organizations in the greater Baltimore region.
2012 Annual Report
The Miles White Beneficial Society was established in June of 1874 and received $100,000 under the will of Miles White, a member of the Eutaw Street Meeting, the predecessor of Baltimore Monthly Meeting, Homewood. The objects of the Society, stated in the certificate of incorporation are to “promote piety and Christianity (especially by the dissemination of books and tracts), to extend aid to the young in their religious, moral and intellectual training and education, and to relieve the deserving poor.”
The Board of Trustees of the Miles White Society has ten members. From October 2011 through June 2012, we have met eight times, including a dinner meeting with our asset managers. The function of the Board is to manage the assets and award grants.
We have awarded three grants totaling $6,000 to educational institutions in Baltimore City: $2.500 to Clay Pots, $2,500 to The Baltimore Algebra Project and $1,000 to the Baltimore College Peace Network.
We have awarded two grants totaling $10,000 to charitable organizations in the Baltimore area: $5,000 to Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation (GEDCO) for their Civic and Religious Emergency Services (CARES) program and $5,000 to United Churches Assistance Network (UCAN).
We awarded seven individual scholarships totaling $17,200 for undergraduate education.
The market value of the Trust on 5/31/2012 was $1,641,424.
We have completed a full year with the asset management firm Mount Vernon Associates. We look forward to a long profitable association with this Baltimore firm.
This is the first year under our new arrangement as a supporting organization of Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM) within the definition under the Internal Revenue Code. We are delighted to have the resources of the BYM Nominating Committee and the closer connection with accounting services. Now that we are no longer a self perpetuating board, we have spent time planning for the orderly transition of officers and board members, assembling pertinent documents in a readily accessible file.
While we were very impressed with the qualifications of our scholarship applicants this spring, we were disappointed to receive only seven applications. We hope to improve our methods for making the availability of this scholarship known to young Friends so that we will have more applicants in the future.
Anne Greene, (Homewood) President
2011 Annual Report
The Miles White Beneficial Society was established in June of 1874 and received $100,000 under the will of Miles White, a member of the Eutaw Street Meeting, the predecessor of Baltimore Monthly Meeting, Homewood. The objects of the Society, stated in the certificate of incorporation are to “promote piety and Christianity (especially by the dissemination of books and tracts), to extend aid to the young in their religious, moral and intellectual training and education, and to relieve the deserving poor.”
The Board of Trustees of the Miles White Society has nine members. From October 2010, through May 2011, we have met seven times. The function of the Board is to manage the assets and award grants.
Two years ago, we reevaluated our criteria for grants, to bring them more closely in line with Miles White’s original intent, placing more emphasis on giving grants in Baltimore City and environs and increasing the portion of grants to charitable and educational institutions; the balance is given as individual scholarships to members of Baltimore Yearly Meeting for undergraduate studies.
In the current year, The Miles White Society has made grants in the amount of $4,000 to each of the following organizations: Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation (GEDCO), South Baltimore Learning Center, Shepherd’s Clinic and United Churches Assistance Network, totaling $16,000; and awarded 13 scholarships totaling $20,500. The market value of the Trust on 12/31/2010 was $1,489,743.
After evaluating three financial management firms, we have moved our asset management to Mount Vernon Associates, a Baltimore firm with Quaker connections.
Since October 2009, we have been examining our status under the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) for Charitable Trusts. We decided, on the advice of counsel, that we should formalize our situation vis-à-vis Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM.) We have asked BYM to acknowledge Miles White as a type II supporting Organization as defined under the IRC. Our request is under consideration by the Trustees of the Yearly Meeting.
We have changed our fiscal year from 9/30 to 12/31, effective in 2010. This meant that we had a short fiscal year: 10/1/2010 to 12/31/2010. We are now in sync with BYM’s calendar fiscal year.
We are all encouraged each spring when we review scholarship applications from young people across the Yearly Meeting. The depth and breath of learning and spiritual development of these youth always inspires and refreshes us and gives new hope for the Society of Friends.
Anne Greene, President
