Juan Ochoa Benevolent Fund

Preamble: This fund was founded in memory of Imperial Crown Prince 5, Juan Ochoa, whose dedication, and love has remained with many of us since his untimely passing in March of 2003.

Juan was a valued member of our organization and the gay community as a whole. At the time of his passing the Court put on the first show to assist in his funeral expenses called “Esperanza”. Realizing this need existed for other members of our community the Court began this fund. As Juan’s passing brought to light the need for such a fund the members who have been instrumental in its formation thought it would be appropriate to bear his name. The intention of this fund is to assist with the cost associated with the funeral expenses for members of The Imperial Royal Sovereign Court of the Desert Empire, their families and the community we serve.

These protocols are meant to provide guidance for the Emperor and Empress as well as the Board of Directors when a request has been made for help from our organization, as well as provide information to our members and our community to guide them if they need to request our assistance. This fund is not meant to cover the entirety of any one funeral but rather to lend assistance and to ease some of the financial burden. The following protocols are intended as minimum requirements, and each request must be examined by the Board of Directors prior to any disbursements.

1. The fund will be kept in an interest-bearing money market account with a minimum of $2,500.00 (twenty-five hundred dollars) in the fund at all times to keep the account active.
2. Until such time as the fund maintains a balance of $5,000.00 (Five thousand dollars) no more than $500.00 (five hundred dollars) may be divested to any single individual per occurrence. At a time when the fund reaches its maintenance goal the Board may revisit the maximum cap per occurrence.
3. A formal written request must be provided to the Board prior to any funds being dispersed stating the intended purpose for the funds, to whom the funds would benefit, to whom the funds will be dispersed, and the amount of funds requested.
4. Proof of death must be provided either through a photocopied official death certificate or public printed obituary.
5. All checks must be written to the funeral home, chapel, florist, travel expense or official funeral services unless otherwise pre- approved by the Board of Directors for special exceptions. These exceptions should only be granted in special circumstances where the expenses are being reimbursed and receipts of payment are provided. Other special circumstances must be handled by the Board.
6. Within ~~one year (365 days)~~ 6 months from the funds being dispersed to the requestor, the requestor of the funds must produce an even or host a show which is earmarked to replenish the funds. At any time during this time frame a direct donation in the name of the requestor would nullify this stipulation.

HMISM Bryan Cromwell Emperor 8

Assistance Request Form

Name of Requestor *

First

Last

Contact Email *

Amount being requested *

This amount cannot be more than $500 and the final dispersed amount is at the discretion of the board of directors.

Intended Purpose/Use of the funds *

Please provide what the funds, if granted, will be used for.

Whom should the funds be dispursed (paid) to? *

All checks must be written to the funeral home, chapel, florist), or other official funeral related vendor. If the request is for personal expenses such as travel or hotel stays, a receipt or proof of expense will be required before the board can approve the expense.

Personal Expense Receipt

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

If you are requesting reimbursement for personal expenses due to a funeral or loss, please upload your receipt here.

Proof of Death *

Drag and drop files here or

Please provide proof of death such as a copy of the death certificate or public obituary.

Do you agree to produce an event to raise funds for the Juan Ochoa Benevolent fund, approved by the board of directors, within 6 months of the dispursement? *

If you do not wish to produce an event, a direct donation to the fund, in your name, for the full amount dispersed will satisfy this requirement.

Signature *

Signing this form, means you acknowledge all rules and obligations if funds are dispersed including replenishing the funds provided within 6 months through direct donation or producing a fundraising event.

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