Seeley Lake Nordic is a 501C3 Nonprofit
Our 2023-24 Nordic ski season was one of the toughest in memory, but we did have some bright spots. One, important to the future of Nordic skiing in Seeley Lake, was gaining recognition as a full 501C3 nonprofit organization.
Seeley Lake Nordic had been a 501C4 “club”, allowing us, as a nonprofit, to use grant money and donations but not provide a tax exemption for donors. This worked fine for a number of years, supported by donations left in the Iron Ranger at the trailhead, smaller grants, and income from events like OSCR. As we recently expanded with PistenBully grooming and some serious trail improvements (trying to squeeze more and better skiing out of changing winters), it became clear we needed to be a 501C3 - the principal advantage being the ability to provide a tax benefit for corporate/personal sponsors and donors, as well as providing future potential for an endowment.
For many small, fledgling organizations this has not been a challenging hurdle… pull together a purpose statement, some Bylaws and Articles-of-Incorporation, file a two page 1023 EZ and in a few months voila…. you are a brand new 501C3. But, not-so-fast if you happen to be an established organization with a few $$ in the bank, some equipment, and a track record of filing tax statements as a “non-profit”. Add in chaos in the political world, the current funding issues of the IRS, a thirty-eight page 1023 form, multiple exhibits, budgets and supporting records and it turns into almost two years of wandering and waiting in a world we never knew existed. Fortunately, with a little persistence, patience from our Board, and good help from some attorneys that didn’t charge an arm and a leg, it all came together in January of 2024.
Our Purpose remains Working in collaboration with the US Forest Service to maintain and improve Seeley Creek Nordic Ski Trails for skiers of all ages and abilities; providing the highest level of snow grooming and trail conditions; and generating adequate resources to assure that Nordic skiing near Seeley Lake remains available and free of charge.
But now our activities qualify for exemption under section 501(c)(3) as a charitable organization maintaining public winter recreational opportunities on public lands.