Frequently Asked Questions
The Chillicothe Parks Foundation (CPF) is an independent, all-volunteer, fundraising support organization for the Chillicothe Park District. It is a 501c(3) organization and contributions to it are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Tax funds provide basic support for all that the CPD does, from maintaining Chillicothe’s wonderful parks and facilities to providing programs for residents and visitors. Tax dollars are used to ensure adequate parks and programs for all of Chillicothe. Private gifts supplement tax dollars and can be used for special enhancements or improvements for individual parks or programs. Additional support is necessary for acquisition of land for new parks, developing new parks, enhancing existing parks with new facilities, and supplementing programs sponsored by the park district. Contributions to the CPF help provide this support.
That depends entirely on you. If you specify how the money is to be used, then it will be used for the purpose you specify, whatever that may be, when the park district requests it. If you give money without indicating a specific purpose for it, the CPF may use part of it to add to an endowment for the benefit of the Chillicothe Park District, may transfer part of it to the park district when the district requests it, or may use part of it to help solicit additional donations.
You may contribute directly to the Chillicothe Park District if you prefer. Those who wish to contribute to a current, ongoing park district need may find this preferable. Contributing to the CPF, on the other hand, may be better for those who wish to contribute to aid a long-term need, because the CPF is better able to invest money donated to it and hence allow it to grow before transferring it to the Chillicothe Park District. Furthermore, the CPF is able to receive donations of land, securities, and in-kind gifts without the restrictions that legally constrain the park district.
Not at all. Many who regularly enjoy Chillicothe’s parks live outside the City of Chillicothe. In fact, more than 50% of all participants in programs of the Chillicothe Park District are not residents of Chillicothe, so making a contribution to the Foundation is a wonderful way for those outside Chillicothe to help enhance the parks they enjoy.
Yes, the CPF can accept any type of asset that has value. One of the advantages of contributing to the CPF is that the foundation can accept and manage or sell valuable property in ways that the Chillicothe Park District is not allowed to do. If you wish to make a non-cash contribution, please contact the Chillicothe Park District Director, Kevin Yates (309) 274-3409.
The CPF is organized as a charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code and gifts to the CPF are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. You should consult with your accountant or tax attorney to see what deductions are allowed in your particular circumstances.
Please contact the Chillicothe Park District Director, Kevin Yates (309) 274-3409.
Yes. The CPF will normally acknowledge its donors publicly to honor them for their contributions, but if you wish to remain anonymous that can be arranged.
The CPF pays for its expenses from unrestricted contributions that it receives from individuals and businesses.
The CPF inevitably incurs expenses in its fundraising efforts. These include printing costs, costs of developing and maintaining its web site, licensing costs for software used to keep track of donations, costs for fundraising events, and the like.
The CPF only used about 10% of all its revenue to pay for expenses. All the rest has been transferred to the Chillicothe Park District or is being held to grow on behalf of the park district for later distribution.
The CPF holds assets for the Chillicothe Park District until the park district requests them or until a time specified in a gift agreement.
