County staff and parks director propose Nelson County Recreation Foundation to raise tax-deductible funds

Nelson County staff and the county’s parks director presented a proposal to form the Nelson County Recreation Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit intended to raise tax-deductible donations to support Parks and Recreation programs, capital projects and scholarships.

Parks director Jerry (surname not specified in the meeting transcript) said the foundation would accept gifts, grants and sponsorships to fund scholarships for youth athletics, team sponsorships, special events and future capital projects (for example, improvements to the Larkin property if the county pursues that site). The plan calls for an initial board of five to seven members, with a possible maximum of 11 members over time. Proposed initial board members would include the parks director, the county finance director or treasurer, a potential board-supervisor designee, a public-school representative and several community members.

Jerry told supervisors the foundation would let businesses make tax-deductible sponsorships, which the county’s existing general-fund process does not always allow. “This will allow businesses individuals whoever may be to provide tax deductible sponsorships to the department,” he said. Proposed uses included scholarships for youth sports, team sponsorships, volunteer recruitment and capital fundraising for new amenities.

Supervisors generally welcomed the idea and suggested that district representation be included on the foundation board. Staff said they would finalize bylaws, articles of incorporation and standard nonprofit paperwork with legal and accounting assistance before formally applying for 501(c)(3) status.

Ending: Staff will proceed to refine bylaws and articles of incorporation, seek initial board members and return to the board if supervisors want the board to make formal appointments to the foundation’s governing board.