2007 Rykken-Scull Awards Available For Non-Profits
by Kathryn M. Miller
Nearly $21,000 will be awarded to qualified non-profits, individuals or groups at the annual distribution of the Rykken-Scull Awards, directors of PFLAG-North Bay Chapter have announced.
The late Judge Walter Richard Rykken Jr. of Guerneville, in his last will and testament, established the trust "to make an annual award, or awards to a qualified nonprofit organization for the benefit of individuals or groups, that contribute the most to the alleviation of bigotry and prejudice against gays and lesbians." PFLAG-NBC Inc. is the trustee of the Rykken and Scull Charitable Trust.
Rykken, was a lawyer who worked as an administrative law judge in Sonoma County and with his partner Robert Scull, who died in 1995, ran a rare books business. He left $443,000 personal effects and papers to the trust.
To qualify for awards, non-profits must be 501c3 organizations. Non-profits may apply for the awards for themselves or for individuals and or groups that meet the criteria of contributing to the alleviating of bigotry and prejudice against gay and lesbians.
To apply for an award of $2500 or more write a letter to the Rykken and Scull Charitable Trust, c/o PFLAG NBC (P.O. Box 337, Ukiah, CA 95482).
The letter should tell how the organization has contributed so far to the alleviation of bigotry and prejudice against gay men and lesbians. Past performance counts, so applicants are urged to be specific, providing dates when possible or a broad statement of time. A copy of the IRS statement proving that an organization is a qualified non-profit must be attached to the application. In the letter the name, address, phone number, and other pertinent contact information of the organization should be provided.
A PFLAG-NBC committee will decide the recipient or recipients of the awards. Qualified non-profits may ask for a specific amount as an award, but a committee will decide how much money will be allocated and the committee's decision will be binding.
If an organization plans to use the award to honor an individual, individuals or group of groups with monetary awards, this plan should be detailed in the letter, again with specifics as to how the individuals or groups have contributed to the alleviation of bigotry and prejudice against gay men and lesbians.
The deadline for entry is by midnight September 6, 2006. For further information, go to the website at www.pflag-nb.org or call the PFLAG support line at 866-350-2462 and leave a phone number for a callback. Awards will be presented at a dinner (site to be announced) following the annual PFLAG-NBC meeting at 4 p.m. October 15. To reserve a seat at the dinner, call Nancy at 539-4037.