About Us

MC3

Merton College Charitable Corporation (MC3) is a non-profit tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code. MC3’s permanent programs provide annual support to students of Merton College at the University of Oxford. Most MC3 members are alumni of Merton. Each year MC3 allocates 5% of the 12-quarter moving average of its endowment value (the endowment reliance) in support of these permanent programs. MC3’s long-term goal is to have a permanent endowment that is large enough to support all of its Permanent Programs from this endowment reliance. This will permit annual giving to address annual needs and special projects. The MC3 endowment is professionally managed. The manager is overseen by the Finance Committee of the MC3 Board of Directors.

People

Board Members

  • Nicholas W. Allard - President
  • Marina McCloskey - Vice President
  • Nate Olson - Vice President
  • Kathleen Sheehan - Secretary
  • Robert (Bob) G. McKelvey - Treasurer
  • David R. Harvey

Executive Committee

  • Nicholas W. Allard, President
  • Robert (Bob) G. McKelvey, Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair
  • Neil R. Brown, Investment Committee Chair
  • Dan Carrell, Legal Committee Chair
  • Scott M. Moore, Nominations Committee Chair
  • Amna Naseer, Development Committee Chair
  • Nate Olson, Vice President
  • Charles Seelye Kellgren Scudder, co-Chair of Reunion Committee
  • Kathleen Sheehan, Secretary
  • Omar B. Farid, Events and Social Networking Committee Chair

Life Trustees

  • George A. Drake
  • John G. Garrard
  • Prosser Gifford
  • W. Reginald Hall
  • Frank T. Keefe
  • Edmund G. Ranallo
  • A. Truman Schwartz
  • Edward I. Selig
  • R. John Simms
  • C. Craig Smith
  • Gary G. Stevens
  • Howard Stringer
  • E. Fred Yalouris

Frequently Asked Questions

Membership in the MC3 is open to all those who attended Merton College and also to those who, despite not having attended the College, have demonstrated a sincere interest in promoting its welfare.
There are no dues or membership fees associated with being an MC3 member.
No, but MC3 volunteers try to plan MC3 Reunions at the same time and in the same city where Oxford Reunions are held.
No, registration for MC3 Reunions and Oxford Reunions are separate.
Those are separate events, usually scheduled to occur over the same weekend. One is welcome to attend both, but must register separately for each.
All Merton graduates, MC3 members, and their guests are welcome to attend.
Yes, here is the link to the document: Click to View
Merton College and MC3 organize various social events. This particular series of events is held in Manhattan.
The board and its committees represent MC3 in between annual meetings of the MC3 members. They have a fiduciary responsibility to act in the best interest of that organization.
  • Coordinate with the College to maintain a positive image of Merton and MC3 and advance Merton’s mission.
  • Address “conflict of interest” issues as needed.
  • Review and approve Nomination Committee’s report for officers and trustees.
  • Review and approve annual budget.
  • General oversight of plans for Annual Meeting/Reunion weekend.
  • Attend MC3 events and Annual Meeting/Reunion “friend-raising” and identify prospective donors.
  • Implementation of the current MC3 annual funding program. Oversight of the February mailing focused on the Reunion/Annual Meeting. Responsibility for the November mailing soliciting funds for educational projects at Merton and MC3 Permanent Programs.
  • Asist Merton in capital campaigns as determined by the College.
  • Maintain contribution records with the help of the Administrative Assistant.
  • Select annual fundraising objectives in consultation with Merton.
  • Periodically review and upgrade MC3 development program in coordination with Merton’s development office.
  • This committee has two distinct areas of responsibility: (1) planning and coordinating small events separate from the annual reunion activities; and
    (2) developing a social networking capability in coordination with the Merton Development Office’s programs.
  • Events will be organized and directed by this committee in any areas where there is a sufficient nucleus of Mertonians. In the past Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C. have supported such activities. The committee will organize these gatherings and MC3 will support them financially.
  • Identify and hire manager for MC3 portfolio. The committee’s role is to “manage the manager,” not to manage the individual investments.
  • Review quarterly and annual reports from the manager.
  • Provide the manager with estimate of short-term and mid-term funding needs from the portfolio.
  • In conjunction with the manager, set the portfolio asset allocation (equities/fixed income) with a collar. Review periodically.
  • Periodically review investment policy.
  • Coordinate the preparation of financial statements and tax returns with accountant and Administrative Assistant.
  • Review financial statements prior to submitting to Board.
  • Review tax returns prior to filing.
  • Monitor procedures and safeguards for the office of the Treasurer.
  • Prepare annual budget for MC3.
  • Review Directors and Officers insurance coverage.
  • Review annual IRS Form 990 prior to filing.
  • Periodically review Bylaws of MC3.
  • Advise Executive Committee and Board on legal matters.
  • Monitor changes in the 50l(c)3 regulations that may impact MC3.
  • Attend MC3 events and engage members looking for potential MC3 committee and board prospects.
  • Review board and committee membership for chronological, geographical, and skill set diversity.
  • Prepare nominations for the committees prior to the Annual Meeting.
  • Prepare nominations for the Board prior to the Annual Meeting.
  • Prepare nominations for Officers prior to the Annual Meeting.
  • Plan and coordinate the MC3 Annual Meeting/Reunion weekend in conjunction with the Merton Development Office. Activities usually include the traditional Saturday evening dinner and possibly other activities on Friday evening through Sunday afternoon.
  • Identify city in which to hold reunion; check for conflicting events/dates; coordinate with Merton and Oxford.
  • Beginning at least 8 months prior to the Reunion weekend, identify potential activities and venues (hotels, transportation, tours, etc.). Schedule follow-up meetings on a regular timetable.
  • Negotiate contracts, book/block hotel rooms, book venues, transportation, and vendors for events and transmit deposits.
  • Create a budget for the Reunion weekend including the potential cost to each person attending and send to Executive Committee for approval.
  • Prepare timeline for vendor deadlines and payments and maintain regular contact with hotel and venues to monitor deadlines.
  • After the weekend, send thank you letters and tax receipts, if appropriate, to all who sent payments.
  • After the weekend, coordinate with Administrative Assistant to collect all expenses and prepare a report to the Executive Committee.
MC3 members are eligible to join its committees on a volunteer basis.