NHSBBQA Education Foundation - GOVERNANCE OVERVIEW

BBQ Education Foundation

GOVERNANCE OVERVIEW

Stewardship in Service of Education and Students

The NHSBBQA Education Foundation is governed with the same standards of integrity, accountability, and educational purpose expected of leading national Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)–aligned nonprofits.

As a registered 501(c)(3) public charity, the Foundation exists solely to advance student education, workforce readiness, and equitable access to opportunity. Strong governance ensures that every decision, policy, and dollar entrusted to the Foundation is managed responsibly and in alignment with this mission.

Our Governance Philosophy

The Foundation believes that good governance is essential to student trust, donor confidence, and long-term impact.

Our governance framework is designed to:

• Protect the charitable purpose of the organization

• Ensure compliance with federal and state nonprofit law

• Provide independent oversight and fiduciary responsibility

• Maintain transparency and ethical decision-making

• Keep students and education at the center of all actions

Governance is not a formality—it is a commitment to doing what is right, even when it is difficult.

Board Oversight & Fiduciary Responsibility

The Foundation is governed by an independent Board of Directors responsible for:

• Upholding the Foundation’s mission and values

• Safeguarding charitable assets

• Approving policies, budgets, and strategic direction

• Ensuring compliance with IRS and nonprofit regulations

• Providing oversight of scholarship and award programs

Board members serve without compensation and are bound by duties of care, loyalty, and obedience to the Foundation and its charitable purpose.

Committees & Operational Oversight

To support effective governance, the Board establishes committees that operate under written charters and Board authority.

Key committees include:

• Scholarship Committee – Oversees the review and recommendation of scholarship and educational award recipients using objective, nondiscriminatory criteria

• Finance / Oversight Functions – Supports financial stewardship and compliance

• Governance Functions – Ensures policies remain current and aligned with best practices

Committees enhance accountability while maintaining clear lines of authority and oversight.

Policies, Controls & Compliance

The BBQ Education Foundation maintains formal, written policies that guide ethical and compliant operation, including:

• Conflict of Interest Policy

• Scholarship Committee Charter

• Award Acceptance Policy

• Award Disbursement & Reimbursement Policy

• Award Revocation & Appeals Policy

These policies are reviewed regularly to ensure alignment with nonprofit law, educational standards, and best practices.

Financial Stewardship & Transparency

The Foundation is committed to responsible financial management and transparency.

Key principles include:

• Use of funds exclusively for charitable and educational purposes

• Documentation and accountability for all scholarship and award expenditures

• Board oversight of financial practices

• Compliance with all IRS reporting and record-retention requirements

Donor trust is earned through clarity, consistency, and accountability.

Independence & Organizational Separation

The NHSBBQA Education Foundation is a separate legal entity from the National High School BBQ Association® (NHSBBQA®).

While NHSBBQA® operates educational programming, leagues, and competitions, all charitable donations, scholarships, and educational awards are governed and administered solely by the Foundation.

This separation ensures:

• Clear donor intent

• Protection of charitable funds

• Compliance with nonprofit law

• Ethical stewardship free from private benefit

Alignment With Education & CTSO Values

As an education-focused foundation aligned with CTSO principles, our governance reflects:

• Student safety and well-being

• Equity and access

• Educational rigor

• Career readiness

• Community trust

Every policy and governance decision is evaluated through the lens of educational impact and student success.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Governance is not static. The Foundation regularly reviews its structures, policies, and practices to ensure they continue to meet the highest standards of nonprofit and educational leadership.

We welcome accountability, questions, and dialogue from:

• Students and families

• Educators and school leaders

• Donors and sponsors

• Grant makers and partners

Governed With Purpose. Accountable to Students. Trusted by Communities.

Strong governance allows the BBQ Education Foundation to fulfill its promise—supporting students today while building a sustainable, ethical foundation for the future of education.

Questions about governance or compliance?
We welcome inquiries from school districts, donors, and partners.

👉 Contact the NHSBBQA Education Foundation

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NHSBBQA Education Foundation
is the public-facing name of the BBQ Education Foundation,
a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN - 41-2464833 dedicated to advancing
youth culinary education, live-fire learning, and career pathways
through the National High School BBQ Association® ecosystem.

Legal Notice
The NHSBBQA BBQ Education Foundation is a separate legal entity from the National High School BBQ Association® (NHSBBQA®).
Donations made on this page support the Foundation’s charitable mission and are not payments to NHSBBQA®.