MEMBER DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT (MDA)

As a membership benefit, the Tennessee Association of Blind Athletes is pleased to make available Member DevelopmentAccounts to each member. An MDA is a member’s own personal checking account managed by the TNABA staff.  MDA’s allow current members to fundraise on their own behalf in order for donors to make tax-deductible contributions to TNABA on behalf of the member. Athletes and/or coaches can then in turn use these donations contributed to the member’s personal MDA to offset training and competition expenses.

General guidelines

·                    The donor makes the check payable to TNABA and on the bottom memo portion of the check, writes the member's name stating MDA. For example write John Doe, MDA (This is to verify which member account to code the donation to.)

·                    TNABA will send the donor a personalized thank you letter.   The donor can then use this letter for their tax purposes. 

·                    TNABA staff will keep an accounting record of each member’s donation including the name of the donor, the date it was made and the amount.  The member with the MDA also should keep track of how much money and who made contributions to the MDA.

·                    It is highly recommended that each member create a database of every donor which also includes the amount of the gift, the date and their address.  The member will want to send a personalized letter to the donor or meet with them in person to thank them for the gift.  You can include photos, newspaper clippings, video tapes and/or results.  A picture on the medal stand or coaching an athlete to victory speaks volumes. Let the donor know what their contribution went towards; i.e. to pay for partial travel expenses to compete in a regional event.

·                    Members can withdraw money from the MDA at anytime.  The expenses can include anything related to training and competitions such as tournament fees, travel, uniforms, equipment, guides, pilots, dues, etc.  Include all original receipts with the request.

·                    Send all reimbursement requests to TNABA at tnaba@bellsouth.net or mail it to TNABA, 1081 Zophi Street, Nashville TN 37216.

·                    Please contact TNABA at (615) 544-5ABA (5222) with any questions or to set up an MDA account.