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Fair board seeks path to revive nonprofit and pursue grants for fairgrounds projects
Summary
Fair volunteers told commissioners they want to reconstitute a nonprofit “foundation” to pursue grants for horse barn work and other fairground improvements; county staff said the arrangement will require follow-up on accounting and funding rules.
Fair volunteers and county officials discussed reestablishing a nonprofit to channel grants and fundraising for fairgrounds improvements during public comment at the Feb. 11 meeting of the Okanogan County Board of Commissioners.
Laura Swanson, who identified herself as chair of the fair board, told commissioners the group revised fair policies and added materials she said had been missing from earlier guidance. She said volunteers had found grants that could help finish horse barn work and other projects but that many grants require a nonprofit to apply.
Swanson said a prior nonprofit tied to the fair existed in 2014 and could be renewed; she explained renewing or renaming such an organization would have administrative costs. County staff cautioned that attaching a nonprofit to a public agency can complicate accounting and that the usual approach is for a separate private nonprofit to raise funds and donate to the fair.
Commissioners and staff agreed follow-up would be required with the county auditor and finance staff to verify how grant funds could be accepted and reported. Swanson said volunteers planned to finish displays and continue outreach; the fair office will host a small work session Feb. 11 to coordinate volunteers on a dry-well and catch-basin project.
No formal county action was taken Feb. 11; staff said they would coordinate next steps with the fair board and with the county’s finance staff.
