PRE 14A
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v087318_pre14a.txt
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12
MMA PRAXIS MUTUAL FUNDS
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
5) Total fee paid:
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
3) Filing Party:
4) Date Filed:
MMA PRAXIS MUTUAL FUNDS
303 BROADWAY, SUITE 900
CINCINNATI, OH 45202
Dear Valued Shareholder:
The proxy statement that accompanies this letter describes a proposal to elect
members to the Board of Trustees (the "Board") for the MMA Praxis Mutual Funds
(the "Trust"). Enclosed is a Notice, Proxy Statement and proxy card for a
Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Special Meeting") of the Trust. The
Special Meeting is scheduled for November 16, 2007. If you are a shareholder of
record of the Trust as of the close of business on September 10, 2007, you are
entitled to vote at the Special Meeting and any adjournment of the Special
Meeting.
The Board has set the number of Trustees at eight, and there currently are seven
Trustees, leaving one vacancy. Of the seven current Trustees, five have been
elected by shareholders (they were elected in 2003, when a proposal to elect
Trustees was last presented to shareholders). While a mutual fund's board
generally may appoint trustees to fill vacancies, shareholder approval is
required if an appointment would result in fewer than two-thirds of the trustees
having been elected by shareholders.
The Board has nominated an eighth Trustee to fill the current vacancy. The Board
has also approved a proposal (the "Proposal") asking shareholders to elect this
nominee to fill the current vacancy and to elect all of the existing Trustees to
continue to serve as Trustees (the "Board Nominees").
Your vote is important to us. Please take a few minutes to review this proxy
statement and vote your shares today. We have enclosed one or more proxy cards
that we ask you to complete, sign, date and return as soon as possible, unless
you plan to attend the Special Meeting.
Thank you for your attention and consideration of this important proposal and
for your investment in the Funds. If you need additional information, please
call shareholder services at 1-800-977-2947.
Sincerely,
John L. Liechty
President
PROMPT EXECUTION AND RETURN OF THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IS REQUESTED. A
SELF-ADDRESSED, POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, ALONG
WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO VOTE OVER THE INTERNET OR BY TELEPHONE SHOULD YOU
PREFER TO VOTE BY ONE OF THOSE METHODS.
MMA PRAXIS INTERMEDIATE INCOME FUND
MMA PRAXIS CORE STOCK FUND
MMA PRAXIS INTERNATIONAL FUND
MMA PRAXIS VALUE INDEX FUND
MMA PRAXIS GROWTH INDEX FUND
MMA PRAXIS SMALL CAP FUND
EACH, A SERIES OF
MMA PRAXIS MUTUAL FUNDS
303 BROADWAY, SUITE 900
CINCINNATI, OH 45202
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 16, 2007.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT a Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Special
Meeting") of the above-referenced funds (each, a "Fund" and collectively, the
"Funds"), each of which is a series of the MMA Praxis Mutual Funds (the
"Trust"), will be held at 303 Broadway, Suite 900, Cincinnati, OH 45202, on
November 16, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern time).
At the Special Meeting, shareholders will be asked to:
Elect 8 Trustees to the Board of the MMA Praxis Mutual Funds: Bruce C.
Harder, Karen Klassen Harder, R. Clair Sauder, Donald E. Showalter, Howard
L. Brenneman, Larry D. Miller, Don E. Weaver, and Candace L. Smith.
All shareholders are invited to attend the Special Meeting. However, if you are
unable to attend the Special Meeting, you are requested to mark, sign and date
the enclosed Proxy Card and return it promptly in the enclosed, postage-paid
envelope so that the Special Meeting may be held and a maximum number of shares
may be voted. In addition, you can vote easily and quickly by Internet, by
telephone or in person. Your vote is important no matter how many shares you
own. You may change your vote even though a proxy has already been returned by
written notice to the Trust, by submitting a subsequent proxy using the mail, by
Internet, by telephone or by voting in person at the Special Meeting.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on September 10, 2007 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting or any adjournment
thereof.
By Order of the Board of Trustees
/s/ Jay S. Fitton
Jay S. Fitton
Secretary
September ___, 2007
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MMA PRAXIS INTERMEDIATE INCOME FUND
MMA PRAXIS CORE STOCK FUND
MMA PRAXIS INTERNATIONAL FUND
MMA PRAXIS VALUE INDEX FUND
MMA PRAXIS GROWTH INDEX FUND
MMA PRAXIS SMALL CAP FUND
EACH, A SERIES OF
MMA PRAXIS MUTUAL FUNDS
303 BROADWAY, SUITE 900
CINCINNATI, OH 45202
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 16, 2007
PROXY STATEMENT
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies
by the Board of Trustees (the "Board") of the MMA Praxis Mutual Funds (the
"Trust") for use at a Special Meeting of Shareholders of the above-referenced
funds (each, a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds"), each of which is a series
of the Trust, to be held on November 16, 2007 at 10:00 a.m., (Eastern time) at
303 Broadway, Suite 900, Cincinnati, OH 45202, and at any adjourned session
thereof (such Special Meeting and any adjournment thereof are hereinafter
referred to as the "Special Meeting"). This Proxy Statement is being mailed to
shareholders on or about September 28, 2007. Shareholders of record of the Funds
as of the close of business on September 10, 2007 (the "Record Date") are
entitled to vote at the Special Meeting and will be asked to consider and act on
the following proposal:
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL: FUND(S) SOLICITED:
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Elect 8 Trustees for the Board of the Trust All Funds
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PROPOSAL: ELECTION OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES
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It is proposed that the persons listed below (each, a "Board Nominee" and
collectively, the "Board Nominees") be elected at the Special Meeting to serve
as Trustees of the Trust. Seven of the eight Board Nominees currently serve on
the Board of the Trust.
You are being asked to approve the election of the Board Nominees as Trustees of
the Trust to satisfy certain requirements of Section 16 of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act
generally requires the trustees of an investment company be elected by
shareholder vote. Section 16(a) provides however, that trustees may be appointed
without the election by shareholders, if, immediately after such appointment, at
least two-thirds of the trustees then holding office have been elected by
shareholders. Currently, five Trustees have been elected by shareholders. If all
of the Board Nominees were to serve on the Board, five of eight (which is less
than two-thirds) will have been elected by shareholders. Accordingly, the Board
has determined that it would be in the best interests of the Trust to call a
special meeting at this time and recommend the election by shareholders of each
Board Nominee.
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The Board Nominees are Bruce C. Harder, Karen Klassen Harder, R. Clair Sauder,
Donald E. Showalter, Howard L. Brenneman, Larry D. Miller, Don E. Weaver, and
Candace L. Smith. Mr. Brenneman and Mr. Miller are considered "interested
persons" of the Trust, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, because Mr.
Brenneman served as the President and CEO of Mennonite Mutual Aid, Inc. from
December 1991 to 2005 and Mr. Miller currently serves as President and CEO of
Mennonite Mutual Aid, Inc. Mennonite Mutual Aid, Inc. is deemed to be an
affiliate of the Trust by virtue of its ownership of the Trust's Adviser, Menno
Insurance Service Inc., d/b/a MMA Capital Management. With the exception of Mr.
Brenneman and Mr. Miller, each of the other Board Nominees will be considered an
"Independent Trustee" of the Trust. With the exception of Ms. Smith, all of the
Board Nominees currently are Trustees of the Trust. At duly convened meetings on
May 21, 2007, the Board's Nominating Committee selected and nominated Ms. Smith
to serve as an Independent Trustee and the full Board unanimously approved the
nomination. Together, the Board Nominees will comprise the entire Board of the
Trust. All Board Nominees shall be elected immediately upon shareholder
approval. Because the Trust does not hold regular annual shareholder meetings,
the entire Board will serve until their successors have been duly elected or
appointed, as applicable, or until their earlier resignation or removal. The
names and ages of the Board Nominees, their principal occupations during the
past five years and certain of their other affiliations are provided below. Each
of the Board Nominees has agreed to serve if elected at the Special Meeting.
It is the intention of the persons designated as proxies, unless otherwise
directed therein, to vote at the Special Meeting for the election of the Board
Nominees named above. If any Board Nominee is unable or unavailable to serve,
the persons named as proxies will vote for such other person(s) as the Board may
recommend.
The Board has overall responsibility to manage and control the business affairs
of the Trust, including the complete and exclusive authority to oversee and to
establish policies regarding the management, conduct and operation of the
Trust's business. The Trustees serve on the Board for terms of indefinite
duration. A Trustee's position in that capacity will terminate if he or she is
removed, resigns or is subject to various disabling events such as death or
incapacity. In the event of any vacancy in the position of a Trustee, the
remaining Trustees may appoint an individual to serve as a Trustee, subject to
the provisions of the 1940 Act. A Trustee may be removed by the vote or written
consent of shareholders holding not less than two-thirds of the Trust's
outstanding shares. During the 2006 fiscal year, the Board met five times.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE BOARD NOMINEES. Listed below, for each Board Nominee, are
their names and ages, as well as their proposed positions with the Trust, their
principal occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in
the Trust Complex that, if elected, they will oversee and any other
directorships held by the Board Nominees.
BOARD NOMINEES FOR INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES:
----------------------------------------
NUMBER OF
POSITION WITH THE PORTFOLIOS IN
COMPANY, TERM OF FUND OTHER
OFFICE COMPLEX DIRECTORSHIPS
AND LENGTH PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING OVERSEEN BY HELD BY
NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS OF TIME SERVED THE PAST FIVE YEARS TRUSTEE* TRUSTEE
--------------------- -------------- ------------------- -------- -------
Bruce C. Harder Trustee since Retired; Executive Director for 6 N/A
Age: 66 2/11/00 Finance and Administration, Tri-Met,
c/o MMA Capital Management the Tri-County Metropolitan
1110 North Main Street Transportation District of Oregon,
Goshen, IN 46528 public transportation system for
Portland, Oregon (1986 - 2003);
Chairman of the Board, Mennonite
Mutual Aid, Goshen Indiana (1997 -
2003)
Karen Klassen Harder, Ph.D. Trustee since Professor, Bluffton University 6 N/A
Age: 51 12/2/93 (September 2001 - present)
c/o MMA Capital Management
1110 North Main Street
Goshen, IN 46528
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R. Clair Sauder Trustee since Partner, Encore Enterprises, LLC, 6 Mennonite
Age: 64 6/30/02 retail home furnishings (2001 - Economic
c/o MMA Capital Management present); Partner, C&D Enterprises Development
1110 North Main Street Unlimited, commercial real estate Associates;
Goshen, IN 46528 (1982 - present) National Penn
Investors Trust
Company;
MicroVest
Capital General
Partners, LLC;
Hometown
Heritage Bank
Donald E. Showalter, Esq. Trustee since Senior Partner, the law firm of 6 N/A
Age: 66 12/2/93 Wharton, Aldhizer, & Weaver (June
c/o MMA Capital Management 1965 - present); Director, Rockingham
1110 North Main Street Heritage Bank (April 1998 - present)
Goshen, IN 46528
Candace L. Smith N/A CFO, MicroVest Capital Management LLC 6 N/A
Age: 49 (July 2005 - present); Investment
c/o MMA Capital Management Committee Member, CleanTech Fund LP
1110 North Main Street (2004 - present); COO, Environmental
Goshen, IN 46528 Enterprises Assistance Fund (1999 -
2003)
Don E. Weaver Trustee since CFO, Hesston College (2006 - 6 N/A
Age: 44 5/21/07 present); CIO, Koch Industries and
c/o MMA Capital Management Flint Hills Resources (1987 - 2006)
1110 North Main Street
Goshen, IN 46528
BOARD NOMINEES FOR INTERESTED TRUSTEES:
---------------------------------------
NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS IN
POSITION WITH THE FUND OTHER
COMPANY, TERM OF COMPLEX DIRECTORSHIPS
OFFICE AND LENGTH PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING OVERSEEN BY HELD BY
NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS OF TIME SERVED THE PAST FIVE YEARS DIRECTOR* DIRECTOR
--------------------- -------------- ------------------- --------- --------
Howard L. Brenneman** Chairman and Trustee Self-Employed Consultant, Consult 6 N/A
Age: 67 since 12/2/93 Inc. (August 2005 - Present);
c/o MMA Capital Management President and CEO, Mennonite Mutual
1110 North Main Street Aid (December 1991 - 2005)
Goshen, IN 46528
Larry D. Miller** Trustee since President and CEO of Mennonite 6 Chair of Board
Age: 57 02/19/07 Mutual Aid, Inc. (January 2007 - of Directors of
c/o MMA Capital Management Present); President and CEO of MMA Trust Company
1110 North Main Street Mennonite Financial Federal Credit
Goshen, IN 46528 Union (September 1990 - December
2006)
*The number of portfolios is based on each of the Funds of the MMA Praxis Mutual
Fund complex that the Board Nominee currently oversees, in addition to each of
the Funds that the Nominee would oversee if elected.
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**Mr. Brenneman, as the former President and CEO of Mennonite Mutual Aid, Inc.,
and Mr. Miller, as current President and CEO of Mennonite Mutual Aid, Inc., an
affiliate of the Trust, are "interested persons" of the Trust within the meaning
of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 act.
OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT TRUSTEES
POSITION WITH THE COMPANY,
TERM OF OFFICE AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS LENGTH OF TIME SERVED DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS
--------------------- --------------------- --------------------------
John L. Liechty President since 8/19/97 Executive Management, Mennonite Mutual Aid (1976 -
Age: 52 present)
PO Box 483
Goshen, IN 46527
Steven T. McCabe Treasurer since 9/25/05 Vice President - Fund Accounting and Financial Reporting,
Age 42: - JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (June 2004 - present); Vice
303 Broadway, Suite 900 President and Director of Mutual Fund Accounting, Fifth
Cincinnati, OH 45202 Third Bank (1997-2004)
Marlo J. Kauffman Vice President since 12/2/93 Financial Services Operation Manager, Mennonite Mutual
Age: 50 Aid (1981 - present); President, MMA Securities, Inc.
P.O. Box 483 (2004 - present); OSJ Principal, ProEquities, Inc., a
Goshen, IN 46527 broker-dealer (1994 - present); Assistant Secretary, MMA
Trust Co.(1990 - present)
Brian E. Hirsch Chief Compliance Officer since Vice President-Compliance - IFS Financial Services,
Age: 50 9/25/05 Inc.(2003-Present), Director of Compliance - Fort
303 Broadway, Suite 1100 Washington Brokerage Services, Inc.(2003-Present); Chief
Cincinnati, OH 45202 Compliance Officer - Puglisi & Co. (2000 - 2002)
Jay S. Fitton Secretary since 8/21/06 Assistant Vice President and Senior Counsel of JPMorgan
Age: 37 Chase Bank, N.A. (2000 - present)
303 Broadway, Suite 900
Cincinnati, OH 45202
FUND SHARES OWNED BY BOARD NOMINEES. As of the date of this Proxy Statement,
seven of the Board Nominees serve on the Board and are beneficial owners of
shares of the Funds. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with Rule
16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). For
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the dollar range of equity securities
owned by each Trustee in the Funds and the Fund Complex was as follows:
DOLLAR RANGE OF
EQUITY SECURITIES DOLLAR RANGE OF DOLLAR RANGE OF DOLLAR RANGE OF AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE
IN EQUITY SECURITIES EQUITY SECURITIES EQUITY SECURITIES OF EQUITY SECURITIES IN
MMA PRAXIS IN IN IN ALL FUNDS OVERSEEN
INTERMEDIATE MMA PRAXIS CORE MMA PRAXIS MMA PRAXIS VALUE BY TRUSTEE IN MMA
NAME INCOME FUND STOCK FUND INTERNATIONAL FUND INDEX FUND PRAXIS FUND FAMILY*
---- ----------- ---------- ------------------ ---------- -------------------
Independent Trustees/Nominees
Bruce C. Harder $10,001 - $50,000 $10,001 - $50,000 $10,001 - $50,000 $10,001 - $50,000 Over $100,000
Karen Klassen Harder, Ph.D None $10,001 - $50,000 None None $10,001 - $50,000
R. Clair Sauder None None $10,001 - $50,000 None $10,001 - $50,000
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Donald E. Showalter, Esq. None None $1 - $10,000 None $1 - $10,000
Candace L. Smith None None None None None
Don E. Weaver None $1 - $10,000 None $1-$10,000 $1 - $10,000
Interested Trustees
Howard L. Brenneman $10,001 - $50,000 $10,001 - $50,000 $10,001 - $50,000 $1 - $10,000 Over $100,000
Larry D. Miller $10,001 - $50,000 $10,001 - $50,000 None $10,001 - $50,000 Over $100,000
*The Small Cap Fund and Growth Index Fund did not commence operations until May
1, 2007.
BOARD COMPENSATION. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the Trustees
received the following compensation from the Funds:
PENSION OR TOTAL COMPENSATION
AGGREGATE RETIREMENT BENEFITS FROM REGISTRANT AND
COMPENSATION FROM ACCRUED AS PART ESTIMATED ANNUAL BENEFITS FUND COMPLEX
NAME OF TRUSTEE THE FUNDS OF FUND EXPENSES UPON RETIREMENT PAID TO TRUSTEES
--------------- --------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
Independent Trustees
Bruce C. Harder $8,750 None None $8,750
Karen Klassen Harder, Ph.D $8,750 None None $8,750
R. Clair Sauder $8,750 None None $8,750
Donald E. Showalter, Esq. $10,250 None None $10,250
Interested Trustees
Howard L. Brenneman $8,750 None None $8,750
Larry D. Miller None None None None
AUDIT COMMITTEE. The Board has an Audit Committee, which is comprised
solely of those Trustees who are not considered "interested persons" of the
Company, as that term is defined in Section 2 (a)(19) of the 1940 Act (the
"Independent Trustees"). The Audit Committee, which met three times during 2006,
(i) recommends to the Board the selection of an independent registered public
accounting firm; (ii) annually reviews the scope of the proposed audit; and
(iii) reviews the annual audit with the independent registered public accounting
firm and reviews the annual financial statements of the Funds. The Board has
adopted a written charter for its Audit Committee setting forth such Committee's
responsibilities. Audit fees totaled $61,100 for the December 31, 2006 fiscal
year.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE. The Board has a Nominating Committee, which is comprised
solely of the Independent Trustees. The Nominating Committee recommends nominees
for (i) Independent Trustees for consideration by the incumbent Independent
Trustees of the Trust, and (ii) Interested Trustees for consideration by the
full Board of the Trust. The Nominating Committee met on February 26, 2006,
January 15, 2007 and May 20, 2007. The Board has adopted a written charter for
its Nominating Committee setting forth such Committee's responsibilities, which
is available on the Trust's website, www.mmapraxis.com.
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The Nominating Committee's process for evaluating a candidate generally includes
a review of the candidate's background and experience, a check of the
candidate's references and other due diligence and, when appropriate, interviews
with Nominating Committee members. In evaluating a candidate, the Nominating
Committee will also consider whether the candidate, if elected, would be an
Independent Trustee. The Nominating Committee has not established a set of
absolute minimum requirements that candidates must meet in order to be
recommended by the Nominating Committee for nomination for election to the
Board. Rather, the Nominating Committee seeks candidates who, in its judgment,
will serve the best interests of the Trust's long-term shareholders and whose
background will complement the experience, skills and diversity of the other
Trustees and add to the overall effectiveness of the Board.
The Committee will consider Independent Trustee candidates recommended by
shareholders of the Trust. The names of shareholder candidates may be submitted
to the Trust's Secretary or any member of the Committee in writing at the
address of the Trust. Sufficient background information about the candidate also
must be submitted to enable the Committee to assess the candidate's
qualifications in light of the Committee's selection guidelines. Any shareholder
or shareholder group submitting a candidate must beneficially own, either
individually or in the aggregate, more than 5% of the Trust's securities that
are eligible to vote at the time of submission of the candidate and at the time
of the annual meeting where the candidate may be elected. Each of the securities
used for purposes of calculating this ownership must have been held continuously
for at least two years as of the date of the submission. In addition, such
securities must continue to be held through the date of the meeting. The
nominating shareholder or shareholder group must also bear the economic risk of
the investment and the securities used for purposes of calculating the ownership
cannot be held "short." The nominating shareholder or shareholder group must
also submit a certification which provides the number of shares which the person
or group has (i) sole power to vote or direct the vote; (ii) shared power to
vote or direct the vote; (iii) sole power to dispose or direct the disposition
of such shares; and (iv) shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of
such shares. In addition, the certification will provide that the shares have
been held continuously for at least 2 years.
OTHER COMMITTEES. The Board also has a Governance Committee.
COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD. Shareholders wishing to submit written
communications to the Board should send their communications to Board of
Trustees, MMA Praxis Mutual Funds, P.O. Box 483, Goshen, IN 46527. Any such
communications received will be reviewed by the Board at its next regularly
scheduled meeting.
THE TRUSTEES UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMEND THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" EACH OF THE
PROPOSED TRUSTEES SET FORTH IN THE PROPOSAL.
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INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
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Ernst & Young LLP, with principal offices at 312 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
45202, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the
Funds.
Before an auditor is engaged by the Funds to render audit services, the Audit
Committee is required to review and approve the engagement.
The Audit Committee is required to review and approve in advance any proposal
(except as set forth in (1) through (3) below) that the Funds employ their
auditor to render "permissible non-audit services" to the Funds (a "permissible
non-audit service" is defined as a non-audit service that is not prohibited by
rule 2-01(c)(4) of Regulation S-X or other applicable law or regulation). The
Audit Committee shall also review and approve in advance any proposal (except as
set forth in (1) through (3) below) that the Adviser, and any entity
controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser that
provides ongoing services to the Funds (an "adviser-affiliated service
provider"), employ the Funds' auditor to render non-audit services, if such
engagement would relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of
the Funds. As a part of its review, the Audit Committee shall consider whether
the provision of such services is consistent with the auditor's independence.
Pre-approval by the Audit Committee of non-audit services is not required so
long as:
(1)(a) with respect to the Funds, the aggregate amount of all such permissible
non-audit services provided to the Funds constitutes no more than 5% of the
total amount of revenues paid to the auditor by the Funds during the fiscal year
in which the services are provided; and (b) with respect to the Adviser and any
adviser-affiliated service provider, the aggregate amount of all such non-audit
services provided constitutes no more than 5% of the total amount of revenues
(of the type that would have to be pre-approved by the Audit Committee) paid to
the auditor by the Funds, the Adviser and any adviser-affiliated service
provider during the fiscal year in which the services are provided; (2) such
services were not recognized by the Funds at the time of the engagement to be
non-audit services; and (3) such services are promptly brought to the attention
of the Audit Committee and approved prior to the completion of the audit by the
Audit Committee or its delegate(s) (as defined below).
The Audit Committee may delegate to one or more of its members ("delegates")
authority to pre-approve the auditor's provision of audit services or
permissible non-audit services to the Funds, or the provision of non- audit
services to the Adviser or any adviser-affiliated service provider. Any
pre-approval determination made by a delegate shall be presented to the full
Audit Committee at its next meeting. The Audit Committee shall communicate any
pre-approval made by it or a delegate to the fund administrator/fund accounting
agent, who will ensure that the appropriate disclosure is made in the Funds'
periodic reports and other documents as required under the federal securities
laws.
AUDIT FEES. Audit fees totaled $61,100 for the December 31, 2006 fiscal year and
$51,000 for the December 31, 2005 fiscal year, including fees associated with
the annual audit and filings of the Funds' Form N-1A and Form N-SAR.
AUDIT-RELATED FEES. There were no audit-related fees for the December 31, 2006
or December 31, 2005 fiscal years..
TAX FEES. Tax fees totaled $8,600 for the December 31, 2006 fiscal year and
$9,000 for the December 31, 2005 fiscal year and consisted of fees for tax
compliance services during both years.
ALL OTHER FEES. There were no other fees for the December 31, 2006 or December
31, 2005 fiscal years.
AGGREGATE NON-AUDIT FEES TO THE TRUSTS. The aggregate non-audit fees for
services to the Funds, the Adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or
under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the
registrant were $8,600 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and $9,000
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
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OTHER INFORMATION
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GENERAL. As used in this proxy statement, the Trust's Board of Trustees is
referred to as the "Board," and the term "Trustee" includes each trustee of the
Trust. A Trustee that is an interested person of the Trust is referred to in
this proxy statement as an "Interested Trustee." A Trustee may be an interested
person of the Trust because he or she is affiliated with the Trust's investment
adviser. Trustees that are not interested persons of the Trust are referred to
in this proxy statement as "Independent Trustees."
The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and, as such, is not
required to hold annual meetings of shareholders. The Board has called the
Special Meeting in order to permit the shareholders to consider and vote on the
Proposal. If you wish to participate in the Special Meeting you may submit the
proxy card included with this proxy statement or attend in person. Your vote is
important no matter how many shares you own. You can vote easily and quickly by
mail, by Internet, by telephone or in person. At any time before the Special
Meeting, you may change your vote, even though a proxy has already been
returned, by written notice to the Trust, 303 Broadway, Suite 900, Cincinnati,
OH 45202 or by submitting a subsequent proxy, by mail, by Internet, by telephone
or by voting in person at the Special Meeting. Should shareholders require
additional information regarding any of the proposals contained in the Proxy
Statement, or replacement proxy cards, they may contact the Trust at
1-800-977-2947.
In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, the Board and officers of
the Trust, may solicit proxies in person or by telephone. Persons holding shares
as nominees will, upon request, be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses
incurred in sending soliciting materials to their principals. The expenses of
the Special Meeting will be borne proportionately by each Fund of the Trust
based on the assets of each Fund. The costs of the Special Meeting and the
preparation and mailing of this Proxy Statement, as well as the costs associated
with the solicitation of proxies, is anticipated to be $40,000.
Shares represented by duly executed proxies will be voted in accordance with the
instructions given. All proxy cards solicited that are properly executed and
received in time to be voted at the Special Meeting will be voted at the Special
Meeting or any adjournment thereof according to the instructions on the proxy
card. If no specification is made on a proxy card, it will be voted FOR the
matters specified on the proxy card.
QUORUM AND ADJOURNMENTS. Each whole share shall be entitled to one vote as to
any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each fractional share shall be
entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. There shall be no cumulative voting
in the election of Trustees. The holders of 40% of the shares entitled to vote
on a matter shall constitute a quorum. When any one or more classes is to vote
as a single class separate from any other shares, 40% of the shares of each
class shall constitute a quorum.
Any meeting of Holders may be adjourned by a majority of the votes properly cast
upon question of adjourning a meeting to another date and time whether or not a
quorum is present.
VOTE REQUIRED TO APPROVE PROPOSAL. With respect to the Proposal, provided that a
quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares voted among
all Funds is required to elect the Trustees.
If your shares are held of record by a broker-dealer and you wish to vote in
person at the Special Meeting, you should obtain a legal proxy from your broker
of record and present it to the Inspector of Elections at the Special Meeting.
Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect with respect to the
Proposal or any adjournment with respect to the Proposal, which is the election
of Trustees and which requires approval by a plurality.
As used above, "broker non-votes" relate to shares that are held of record by a
broker-dealer for a beneficial owner who has not given instructions to such
broker-dealer. Pursuant to certain rules promulgated by the New York Stock
Exchange, Inc. that govern the voting by such broker-dealers, a broker-dealer
holding shares of record for a beneficial owner may not exercise discretionary
voting power with respect to certain non-routine matters (including the approval
of new investment management agreements), although such broker may be authorized
to vote such shares on routine matters for which it has discretionary authority
or has received instructions from the beneficial owner. Broker-dealers generally
will have discretionary authority to vote on the Proposal. The absence of such
authority or instructions would result in a "broker non-vote" for the Proposal.
10
INVESTMENT ADVISER. Investment advisory services are provided to the Funds by
Menno Insurance Service, Inc., d/b/a MMA Capital Management (the "Adviser").
ADMINISTRATOR. The Trust has retained JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 303 Broadway,
Suite 900, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, to act as its Administrator.
DISTRIBUTOR. IFS Fund Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor"), 303 Broadway,
Suite 1100, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, is the Trust's principal underwriter and, as
such, is the exclusive agent for distribution of shares of the Funds. The
Distributor is obligated to sell the Funds' shares on a best efforts basis only
against purchase orders for the shares. Shares of the Fund are offered to the
public on a continuous basis.
RECORD OWNERSHIP AND BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INFORMATION. The chart below depicts
the number of outstanding shares for each Fund as of the Record Date:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME OF FUND NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING SHARES
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MMA Praxis Intermediate Income Fund - Class A
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MMA Praxis Intermediate Income Fund - Class B
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MMA Praxis Intermediate Income Fund - Class I
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MMA Praxis Core Stock Fund - Class A
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MMA Praxis Core Stock Fund - Class B
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MMA Praxis Core Stock Fund - Class I
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MMA Praxis International Fund - Class A
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MMA Praxis International Fund - Class B
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MMA Praxis International Fund - Class I
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MMA Praxis Value Index Fund - Class A
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MMA Praxis Value Index Fund - Class B
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MMA Praxis Value Index Fund - Class I
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MMA Praxis Growth Index Fund - Class A
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME OF FUND NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING SHARES
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MMA Praxis Growth Index Fund - Class B
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MMA Praxis Growth Index Fund - Class I
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MMA Praxis Small Cap Fund - Class A
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MMA Praxis Small Cap Fund - Class B
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MMA Praxis Small Cap Fund - Class I
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the best of the Trust's knowledge, as of the Record Date, no persons or
entities owned beneficially or of record 5% or more of any Fund's outstanding
shares, except:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME AND ADDRESS OF AMOUNT OF BENEFICIAL PERCENT OF
NAME OF FUND BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNERSHIP FUND OWNED
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intermediate Income Fund - Class A Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. %
101 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intermediate Income Fund - Class I The Mennonite Foundation %
P.O. Box 483
Goshen, IN 46527
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mennonite Retirement Trust %
P.O. Box 483
Goshen, IN 46527
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NFS LLC FBO Mennonite Foundation %
P.O. Box 483
Goshen, IN 46527
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NFS FBO MMA Trust Co. %
P.O. Box 483
Goshen, IN 46527
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core Stock Fund - Class A Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. %
101 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core Stock Fund - Class I The Mennonite Foundation %
P.O. Box 483
Goshen, IN 46527
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mennonite Retirement Trust %
P.O. Box 483
Goshen, IN 46527
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NFS LLC FBO Mennonite Foundation %
P.O. Box 483
Goshen, IN 46527
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NFS FBO MMA Trust Co. %
P.O. Box 483
Goshen, IN 46527
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Fund - Class A Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. %
101 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Fund - Class I The Mennonite Foundation %
P.O. Box 483
Goshen, IN 46527
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mennonite Retirement Trust %
P.O. Box 483
Goshen, IN 46527
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NFS LLC FBO Mennonite Foundation %
P.O. Box 483
Goshen, IN 46527
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NFS FBO MMA Trust Co. %
P.O. Box 483
Goshen, IN 46527
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value Index Fund - Class A %
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value Index Fund - Class I Mennonite Retirement Trust %
P.O. Box 483
Goshen, IN 46527
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NFS LLC FBO Mennonite Foundation %
P.O. Box 483
Goshen, IN 46527
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NFS FBO MMA Trust Co. %
P.O. Box 483
Goshen, IN 46527
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Index Fund - Class A %
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Index Fund - Class I %
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Cap Fund - Class A %
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Cap Fund - Class I %
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the best of the Trust's knowledge, as of the Record Date, no Trustee or
officer of the Trust owned beneficially more than 1% of a Fund's outstanding
shares.
SHAREHOLDERS SHARING THE SAME ADDRESS. If two or more shareholders share the
same address, only one copy of this proxy statement is being delivered to that
address, unless the Trust has received contrary instructions from one or more of
the shareholders at that shared address. Upon written or oral request, the Trust
will deliver promptly a separate copy of this proxy statement to a shareholder
at a shared address. Please note that each Shareholder will receive a separate
proxy card, regardless of whether he or she resides at a shared address. Please
call 1-800-977-2947 or forward a written request to the Trust, 303 Broadway,
Suite 900, Cincinnati, OH 45202 if you would like to (1) receive a separate copy
of this proxy statement; (2) receive your annual reports or proxy statements
separately in the future; or (3) request delivery of a single copy of annual
reports or proxy statements if you are currently receiving multiple copies at a
shared address.
OTHER BUSINESS. The Board does not intend to present any other business at the
Special Meeting. If any other matter may properly come before the Special
Meeting, or any adjournment thereof, the persons named in the accompanying proxy
card(s) intend to vote, act, or consent thereunder in accordance with their best
judgment at that time on such matters. No annual or other special meeting is
currently scheduled for the Trust. Mere submission of a shareholder proposal
does not guarantee the inclusion of the proposal in the proxy statement or
presentation of the proposal at the Special Meeting because inclusion and
presentation are subject to compliance with certain federal regulations.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS. The Trust is not required to hold annual shareholder
meetings. Shareholders wishing to submit proposals for inclusion or presentation
in a proxy statement for a future meeting should send their written proposals to
the Secretary of the Trust, 303 Broadway, Suite 900, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
Shareholder proposals must be received by the Trust within a reasonable time
before any such meeting in order for the proposals to be considered. The timely
submission of a proposal does not guarantee its inclusion.
COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD. Shareholders wishing to submit written
communications to the Board should send their communications to MMA Praxis
Mutual Funds, P.O. Box 483, Goshen, IN 46527. Any such communications received
will be reviewed by the Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
13
ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS. The Annual Report of the Trust for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2006 is available on request. The Annual Report may be
obtained by written request to the Trust at the address listed above, or by
telephoning 1-800-977-2947.
PROMPT EXECUTION AND RETURN OF THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD(S) IS REQUESTED. A
SELF-ADDRESSED, POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, ALONG
WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO VOTE OVER THE INTERNET OR BY TELEPHONE SHOULD YOU
PREFER TO VOTE BY ONE OF THOSE METHODS.
14