Page 9 - SUMMER 2020 SWHS Newsletter revised (1)

Challenging times call for courageous community giving...

Funding the South Whidbey Historical Society

As Covid-19 hit the planet and the
earth stopped, our Historical Society Parking for the Whidbey Island
went into hibernation with our Board Fair has been the Society’s larg-
seeking to plan the future and asking est fundraiser of the year. Those
many questions.
• When will we be able to reopen the funds are now lost because the
museum in Langley? Fair has been canceled. To meet
• With social distancing, will we be this shortfall, one Board member
able to make presentations and tours? has offered up to $1,500 if we can
• How will our funding change? match those funds.
• Our mission is to preserve and tell
the history and stories of South
Whidbey Island. In this challeng- Non-profit organizations are here to Our expenses include maintenance,
ing time, how will we meet our provide service to their communities. insurance, and utilities for the museum
mission and best serve Whidbey They operate as private entities and are and the log cabins on the fairgrounds.
Islanders? not governmental agencies. By law, Grant funding in the past years has
Funding is now our top priority. they cannot make profits for their in- allowed us to contract work for our
Parking for the Whidbey Island Fair vestors. Like everyone else, non-prof- website, historical videos, social media
has been the Society’s largest fundrais- its have expenses and bills to pay. posts, community presentations, South
er of the year. Those funds are now lost Under the federal stimulus package Whidbey historical bus tours, and our
because the Fair has been canceled. To individuals will be able to deduct up to newsletter.
meet this shortfall, one Board mem- three hundred dollars of donations in We have nearly 3,000 followers
ber has offered up to $1,500 if we can 2020 to non-profits including 501(c3) on Facebook and have increased our
match those funds. organizations even if they are now tak- membership. Last summer our Satur-
Your donation now will allow us to ing the standard deduction. This is an day morning Langley History Walks
match that amount to help meet ex- added incentive to those who no longer sold out nearly every week.
penses for this year. itemize their deductions when filing In February of this year we displayed
This is a start with long term funding federal tax returns. many items from our collection at the
being more problematic. The South Whidbey Historical So- Bayview Cash Store with a presenta-
As a 501(c3) non-profit organization ciety is in the category of a “cultural/ tion each Saturday. As February came
which has been the recipient of local educational” non-profit. to an end, we were optimistic for 2020.
and regional grants, we know this year Our funding comes from member- Then came March and the pandemic.
may be different as many of our grant ships, donations, book sales, fundrais- We may not know the future, but we
funders have also been affected by the ers, and grants. Most of our workers will be positive in our thinking. Yes,
Covid-19 crisis. are volunteers. we are seeking donations. If you can
help us match or exceed the parking
funding at this time, it will be greatly
appreciated as will your membership
renewal.
Let us not be the generation that
failed to keep good stewardship of our
community’s history.

Bill Haroldson
SWHS Board President
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