Tag Archives: 5010(c)3 non-profit organizations

Can We Get a Charitable Discount?

From time to time (actually frequently) Hansen Pole Buildings is contacted by individuals who are looking for a “price break” for being a “charitable” organization. Popular examples are for helping military veterans, disabled, terminally ill children or animal rescue shelters. We have tremendous respect for those who have given their service to our country and having personally lost two children to cystic fibrosis, my heart goes out to parents in similar situations.

While the great majority of these requests seemingly are for good causes, there are so many requests and, in order to at least make some sort of profit to keep our doors open, some criteria needed to be established to qualify.

In this case, we let our U.S. Government establish criteria to qualify for a discount as a charitable organization. Any 501(c)(3) exempted organization qualifies for a 10% discount off from Hansen Pole Buildings low everyday retail prices.

501(c)(3) exemptions apply to corporations, and any community chest, fund, cooperating association or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes, to foster national or international amateur sports competition, to promote arts, or for prevention of cruelty to children or animals.

There are two exempt classifications of 501(c)(3) organizations as follows:
A public charity, identified by Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as “not a private foundation,” normally receives a substantial part of its income, directly or indirectly, from general public or government entities. Public support must be fairly broad, not limited to a few individuals or families. Public charities are defined in Internal Revenue Code under sections 509(a)(1) through 509(a)(4).

A private foundation, sometimes called a non-operating foundation, receives most of its income from investments and endowments. This income is used to make grants to other organizations, rather than being disbursed directly for charitable activities. Private foundations are defined under Internal Revenue Code section 509(a) as 501(c)(3) organizations which do not qualify as public charities.

Retrofit a Mezzanine in a Converted Racquetball Court

Considering a Retrofit to a Mezzanine in a Converted Racquetball Court

Reader JOHN writes:
“…… is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization rooted in Bayfield, WI (population 500). We provide and support affordable access to facilities, programs, classes, and events that promote health, activity, and fun.

We have a racquetball court that has been converted to a fitness room and is now running out of space.  We are looking to add a mezzanine to the fitness room that can support several treadmills and light stretching equipment while keeping the heavy equipment (free weights, weight machines, etc.) on the main floor.

We are looking for a possible kit that can be easily carried down narrow hallways, through a standard size doorway and assembled around existing fitness equipment.  If you have any information on a product that can meet these requirements, we would be very interested.  Our installation goal is the end of Sept. of 2018.

Enclosed is a basic floor plan of fitness room along with pictures of the present layout.  The room is 40’x20’x20′.”

Mike the Pole Barn Guru Responds:

Thank you very much for your inquiry. Hansen Pole Buildings is a huge supporter of 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, as such we offer an added discount to all 501(c)(3) please read more here: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2013/08/charitable-organizations/.

I was myself a former racquetball player, having sacrificed an Achilles’ tendon in a match back in the 1980’s (dating myself again). My dad also had built a court for himself in a condo development he and his brothers built at Liberty Lake, WA. Racquetball has gone out of vogue over the past few decades and many courts have been converted, such as yours, to other uses.

The post frame style of construction would be quite fitting for your retro application – until the narrow hallways come into play. In order to provide a clearspan floor, it would be necessary to be able to manhandle pieces up to 20 feet in length down those hallways. If you feel it might be possible to get a 20 foot long board into the former court area, I would recommend you go invest in a single 2×12 20 feet in length and try to carry it in, without bending it. If this is successful, we should discuss further.