The Garden Ridge Lions Charities, Inc. is the fund raising arm of the Garden Ridge Lions Club. It was incorporated in the State of Texas in June of 2010 and received 501 (c) 3 status from the Internal Revenue Service in October 2010. The corporation was created to attract donors due to having a 501 ( c ) 3 status. The 501 ( c ) 3 status allows donors to deduct donations from their income tax returns.
The membership of the Garden Ridge Lions Charities, Inc. consists of those individuals who are members in good standing of the Garden Ridge Lions Club. The Board of Directors is the governing body of the Garden Ridge Lions Charities, Inc. and the Directors serve as Directors of the Garden Ridge Lions Club. The officers of the Garden Ridge Lions Charities are the President, 1st Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer and they serve in the same capacity in the Garden Ridge Lions Club.
Key elements of the Corporation Charter include the following:
The name of the Corporation is Garden Ridge Lions Charities, Inc. The place in this state where the principal office of the Corporation is to be located is the City of Garden Ridge, Comal County Texas.
The Corporation shall be a non-profit corporation. Upon the dissolution of the Corporation, its assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c) 3 of the internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to the State of Texas or to the City of Garden Ridge, Texas for a public purpose. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by a court of competent jurisdiction of the county in which the principal office of the Corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
The Corporation will continue in perpetuity. Said corporation is organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code and within the meaning of Texas Tax Code and in this connection to solicit, collect, and otherwise raise money for charitable purposes; to expend, contribute, disburse, and otherwise handle and dispose of the same for such purposes either directly or by contributions to other agencies, organizations, or institutions organized for the same or similar purposes; and receiving by gift, donation, Will, or money or other proper means and by distributing it as may be deemed best for the promotion of charity; and to do any and all other things necessary or proper in connection with or incidental to any of the foregoing.
Except as these Articles otherwise provide, the Corporation has all the powers provided in the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act. Moreover, the Corporation has all the implied powers necessary and proper to carry out its express powers. The Corporation may reimburse directors, officers or members for actual expenses incurred for services rendered to or for the Corporation in furtherance of one or more of it purposes.
A Director is not liable to the Corporation for monetary damages for an act or omission in the director's capacity as director except as otherwise provided by Texas statute. The directors and officers shall not be personally liable for debts, liabilities, or other obligations of the corporation.
The purpose of the Corporation is set forth in its Articles of Incorporation, as from time to time amended, namely to solicit, collect, and otherwise raise money for charitable purposes; to expend, contribute, disburse, and otherwise handle and dispose of the same for such purposes either directly or by contributions to other agencies, organizations, or institutions organized for the same or similar purposes; to assist in harmonizing and making more efficient the work of charitable organizations in the local area; all of which shall be within the meaning of Section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Corporation is not formed for pecuniary or financial gain, and no part of the assets, income, or profit of the Corporation is distributable to, or inures to the benefit of its Officers or Directors. No part of the activities of the Corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
The membership of the Corporation shall consist of those individuals who are members in good standing of the Garden Ridge Lions Club, Garden Ridge Texas.