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Discover Jefferson City Foundation receives non-profit status
Jefferson City, Missouri- June 3, 2010
Good things come to those who wait. That's what the Jefferson City Foundation is saying now that it has finally received its 501(C)(3) status. After two years and two months and a lot of effort, the foundation received its determination letter approving the Discover Jefferson City Foundation as a tax exempt organization.
Bringing a trolley to Jefferson City is one of the Discover Jefferson City Foundation's goals. | "The 501(C)(3) status enables charitable contributions to be made on a tax deductible basis," said Shelley Klebba, foundation board chair. "Most grants will not financially support an endeavor unless the applying organization holds a 501(C)(3) status, which in the past was a stumbling block for us. Now with this new IRS determination, the foundation has new opportunities for funding possibilities."
The Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau helped facilitate the creation of the Discover Jefferson City foundation in the fall 2008. The purpose of this foundation is to assist the Bureau in reaching goals that fall outside the budget of the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Discover Jefferson City's goal is to support the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau by both developing and promoting tourism and tourist sites in the central Missouri area and educating residents and tourists. Some of the projects that the Foundation is planning to help fund are implementation of a downtown trolley, replacement of city street banners and development of citywide way finding signage. In addition to the aforementioned projects, the touring of and excitement around the Missouri State Penitentiary offer many future project opportunities.
"The establishment of Discover Jefferson City Foundation gives the CVB a vehicle to raise funds for tourism-related citywide improvements," Klebba said. "Several of the proposed projects were placed on the priority list to assist visitors with navigating in and around the community. Just helping visitors get from point A to point B makes their visit more pleasurable and relaxing, which is a big part of a memorable experience."
The foundation is still in the beginning phases of planning, and is currently brainstorming ideas for future fundraisers.
For more information about the Discover Jefferson City Foundation, contact Steve Picker at (573) 632-2820. |
