Gifts to Blaine County Fair Foundation will support infrastructure projects
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Steve Edwards
The Blaine County Fair Foundation is a new organization created to receive donations and gifts to support improvements and new projects at the fairgrounds. One project under consideration is fundraising to erect this surplus 100 x 200' building as an indoor arena. The building, though new, was surplus from Malmstrom Air Base. All gifts to the foundation are tax-deductible.
The Blaine County Fair Foundation was incorporated the end of November, 2016. The Fair Board created the organization to accept gifts that could go directly to help with improvements to the fairground facilities. Dale Williams, a fair board member and architect of the foundation, said, "We incorporated the foundation the end of last year and recently received certification from the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization." That allows donors to take an income tax deduction for a gift to the new foundation.
Fair Board Chairman Don Richman said, "I know some folks are looking for tax deductions this time of year. A gift to the new Blaine County Fair Foundation would provide a tax deduction and, more importantly from the Fair Board's view, help make improvements to the fairgrounds." The board intends that all gifts to the foundation will be used on projects at the fairgrounds.
Williams said, "A few years ago a local group called Boots and Pearls wanted to equip the new Commercial Building's kitchen. The only way they could give equipment to the Fair Board was to buy everything, then donate the equipment. Through the new foundation a financial donation can be made directly for equipment or services toward a designated project."
One of the major projects being considered by the Fair Board is the erection of an indoor arena. Some time ago the county received a new, surplus metal building through a program at Malmstrom Air Base in Great Falls. Several local horse enthusiasts have been discussing ways to raise money to erect the building with plans to extend their season. Promoters of the arena idea learned that many grants, that might fund such a project, had to be run through a non-government and tax exempt organization. The new foundation will fill that requirement.
For local donors, Williams explained, "The foundation will allow people to designate how they want a gift to the foundation to be used. Since the indoor arena could be used by several different groups and for a variety of purposes, groups and donors wanting to specifically support that effort can use the foundation." The 100 by 200 foot building is currently stored at a county site referred to as 'the old poor farm.'
For readers desiring to make a tax-deductible gift to the Blaine County Fair Foundation, send the donation to the foundation at P.O. Box 1207, Chinook, MT 59523. If the donation is designated to a particular project or purpose, be sure to note that. You can also get additional information from Wendy Warburton, Fair Board Secretary, or any of the board members: Don Richman; Dale Williams; John Skoyen; Loren Skoyen and Mike Copenhaver.
