Members of the San Benito County Arts Council hope its newly
minted status as a nonprofit organization will help increase
resources and foster growth in the arts community.
Members of the San Benito County Arts Council hope its newly minted status as a nonprofit organization will help increase resources and foster growth in the arts community.
The arts council recently received notice it had been approved as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization by the International Revenue Service. This official nonprofit status allows the group to increase fundraising efforts by applying for more large grants and it will make all donations to the organization tax deductible.
Although the arts council has existed since January 2006, Executive Director Sharlene Van Rooy said achieving the nonprofit status was a key step in “getting the ball rolling.”
“You can’t have an arts council without being a nonprofit,” she said.
The organization has already applied for one grant, with the California Arts Council, and expects to apply for many others throughout the year.
The new sources of funding will contribute to the organizations strategic three-year plan, said Kathleen Sheridan, secretary on the council’s board.
San Benito County’s arts council is planning to start a re-granting program that provides funds for local artists. They are also hoping to increase access to the arts in the broader community and help with arts programs in local schools.
“The idea is to help support arts in the community,” Sheridan said. “Our job is to support the people who are creating art.”
Van Rooy said after the success of the Kyle Eastwood concert earlier this year, the group is planning a second concert at San Juan Oaks Golf Club.
