Just three months after receiving word from the IRS that it had been granted non-profit status, the Friends of Lake Panorama board of directors is preparing to launch its first major fundraising campaign.
The Friends of Lake Panorama is a public charity organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes, and is completely separate from the Lake Panorama Association and Lake Panorama National. All contributions to the nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity are tax deductible.
The charity’s seven-member board of directors is focused on improving existing facilities at Lake Panorama’s two golf courses and three beaches, plus developing new recreational amenities as funds allow.
Plans and related costs for two major projects are being finalized, with fundraising to get underway in the next month. One project will be to renovate two tennis courts at Lake Panorama National, plus add a fenced basketball court with two baskets to the east of the tennis courts.
A second project will be to establish a new “destination” playground at Sunset Beach. The Friends board held a meeting with Sunset Beach neighbors August 18 to get input, and will hold another meeting in early October to review possible plans for the playground.
Estimates show each of these two projects will cost about $100,000. Once plans are finalized, public meetings to show drawings and additional details of the projects will be held. A post office box has been established and a bulk mail permit obtained. A brochure with details of the two projects, plus information on how to donate, will be mailed to all LPA members this fall.
Donations to these two priority projects will be encouraged. But for people who prefer to make a general donation, there will be six “funds” in addition to the two special projects.
There will be a general fund, plus funds for Boulder Beach, Shady Beach, Sunset Beach, Panorama West, and Lake Panorama National. Money donated to any of these funds will be used at the discretion of the Friends board, or for smaller, targeted projects that have been approved by the Friends board.
A website is being developed so donations can be accepted electronically. Major donors will be recognized on the website, plus ads in the Lake Panorama Times, an annual printed report and community-wide publicity. Where significant projects warrant, such as the Sunset Beach playground and the LPN sports courts, a sign recognizing key donors will be erected near the completed project.
Kent Stephenson is the president of the Friends of Lake Panorama board of directors. Tricia Steffen is vice president, and Jim Spradling is secretary-treasurer. Other board members are Kirk Fischer, Bob McCleeary, Jan Reinicke and Jodi Sutton. Susan Thompson is assisting the group.