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Gary board approves Legacy Foundation agreements to channel donations for Brothers' Keeper shelter; one recusal
Summary
The City of Gary approved two agreements with the Legacy Foundation to manage donations and act as fiscal sponsor for the Brothers' Keeper men's shelter project; one board member recused and both motions passed with four yes votes and one recusal. The agreements limit the fund to furnishings/finishings and set Legacy's standard 4% admin fee.
The City of Gary Board of Public Works and Safety on April 29 approved two agreements with the Legacy Foundation to hold and manage donations for a planned Brothers' Keeper men's-shelter project, with one member recusing from the votes.
Vice President Dumas described the arrangements as a way to ensure donated dollars are stewarded by the Legacy Foundation rather than become city funds. The designated non-permanent fund and a fiscal sponsorship agreement were presented as separate but related documents to accept public contributions for finishings and furnishings for the new facility, and to provide oversight for disbursements.
The agreements specify that the Legacy Foundation will administer the fund and apply its standard administrative fee of 4 percent. The board was told the fund is intended to pay for items such as commercial sinks, washers and dryers and interior finishings, not for core building construction, which remains a city responsibility in conjunction with council action.
Board members asked procedural and transparency questions about who may donate and how the public can contribute; staff said donors can give via a link on the city's website or by contacting the Legacy Foundation directly, and that donations labeled either 'Legacy Foundation' or 'Brothers Keeper' will be routed to the designated fund.
Members also described the project and service goals: according to board remarks, the current Brothers' Keeper facility serves roughly 14 men and the new project is planned to increase capacity to about 50, add ADA-accessible facilities, showers and space for community partner services including health screenings and behavioral-health support.
Because one board member disclosed a potential connection to a foundation board, that member recused from the votes. The two agreements were approved on roll call with four votes in favor and one recusal.
The board's approvals authorize the city to execute the MOU with Legacy and to enter the fiscal sponsorship agreement; staff said Legacy will review requests to spend donated funds to confirm they align with the fund's stated purpose. No dollar total for private donations was specified at the meeting.
The board noted the agreements are intended to preserve donor intent and provide a mechanism for private support of the shelter project while maintaining city oversight through a designated liaison to Legacy. The fiscal sponsorship agreement passed and the item will proceed to any subsequent administrative steps required for implementation.
