David B. Colmar is Director of Parks and Recreation, Homewood-Flossmoor Park District. He was previously employed as Superintendent of Recreation for the district, and also served as Midwest Regional Director for the Athletic Institute and Supervisor of Sports and Aquatics for the Arlington Heights Park District. Mr. Colmar received his Bachelor's degree in recreation and park administration from San Jose State College and his Master's from Western Illinois University. A graduate of the Indiana University Executive Development program in 1973 and the Revenue Sources Management School in 1975, Colmar has taught at the Revenue Sources School since 1978 and served on its Board of Regents for the past three years. Very active professionally, he is recognized by Who's Who in America—Midwest.

In recent years park districts have witnessed a stabilization of assessed valuations and tax rates with rising capital and operating costs resulting in a greater reliance on non-tax supported revenues. One viable alternative to the non-tax related source of income is the not-for-profit foundation.

In 1978, the Homewood-Flossmoor and Olympia Fields Park Districts collectively explored the potential of a single purpose not-for-profit foundation to serve as the capital development arm for an outdoor education/environmental learning center. The results have been rewarding.

The Irons Oaks Foundation was chartered as an Illinois Corporation in January of 1979 and received its tax exempt status some six months later. The primary function of the foundation is to raise funds for the capital development of a 34-acre environmental learning center owned and operated by both park districts. The philosophy of the districts was that no tax monies would be utilized in the development of this specialized facility, thereby eliminating any increased burden to the taxpayer. This alternative method of financing offered greater flexibility than either of the two park districts could provide for the following reasons:

• Personal and corporate contributions to governmental agencies appear to be virtually non-existent. Who wants to give to government? The foundation was established as a not-for-profit Illinois corporation with a 501 C-3 tax status.

• The opportunity for contributions by prospective donors should be established, and the special trust with a designated purpose and function is an excellent vehicle.

• Contributors normally give to projects where there may be a personal interest, emotional appeal, or to a project which is unique and has a quality of excellence which makes it stand above any other park development.

• Contributors may give to projects which are unique in concept, enhance or improve environmental qualities within the community, benefit children or education, or are original in design or intent.

• The trust or foundation is generally free from the political involvement and pressures often found in public or governmental financing.

• Charitable contributions to the foundation may be derived in many ways: direct cash contribution; securities; contribution of land; valuable property such as antiques, jewelry or other personal property which would have an appraised value; a life insurance policy where a benefactor might pay an annual tax deductible premium which allows a lump-sum cash settlement from the policy to go to the trust at his death; and innumerable other means and forms.

The Irons Oaks Foundation is comprised of 10 voting trustees who are charged with the responsibility of making grants for the necessary facilities located at the environmental learning center in accordance with a pre-determined master plan. This master plan is the instrument utilized in soliciting gifts and contributions from possible benefactors and was the very first project completed on the priority list. The 10 trustees also

Illinois Parks and Recreation 8 May/June, 1980

serve as the elected commissioners to the park boards of Homewood-Flossmoor and Olympia Fields. Their control of this separate corporation is, however, independent of their responsibility as park commissioners. The foundation is administered by a part-time executive director who also serves as the full-time manager in charge of the operations of the environmental learning center.

It is also very important that "key" persons in the community be made aware of the foundation and its development plans. These persons should most certainly include attorneys, bank trust officers, financial planners, real estate personnel, conservationists and others who might participate in or encourage projects of this nature. The Irons Oaks Foundation accomplishes this grass roots involvement through a number of committees and sub-committees who, for the most part, have significant responsibility for enacting their own programs. Prime examples are the presently existing Development Committee and its sub-committees on public relations and memberships.

Assets of the foundation are invested in a full range of accounts and securities designed to reap the highest rate of return while maximizing the use of the funds. The trustees of the foundation are empowered to invest and reinvest the principal income unless it is restricted by the term of the gift, grant, or federal regulations.

The existence of the foundation also permits full potential exploration of all possible grants as may be available through both federal and state programs as well as other existing foundations. This exploration can take place either through the Irons Oaks Foundation itself or through the combined efforts of the park districts.

Both park districts have also found that potential donations of land by developers might best pass through the foundation and be held until such time as a grant is processed. The contribution by the developer to the Foundation provides a more worthwhile and positive public relations tool, an immediate write-off to the developer, and greater flexibility in the grant application process.

Although still in its infancy, the foundation and the existence of its partner, the Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center, has gained significant community strength and support. Contributions have already been received in the form of annual and sustaining memberships, gifts, designed contributions, and most recently, a $25,000 gift from the Homewood-Flossmoor Lions Club. The Environmental Learning Center itself is being supported and is in full use on a daily basis by five local public and two parochial school districts.

The continued support and enthusiastic interest have been the catalyst to the emerging success of the Irons Oaks Foundation. The park districts and the community that they serve firmly believe that this foundation may indeed be a viable alternative as a financial source for enhancing leisure services.

NOTE: The name Irons Oaks has been established in honor of the Spencer E. Irons family for their many contributions both to the Environmental Learning Center itself and the quality of leisure within the Homewood-Flossmoor community.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 9 May/June, 1980