VERO BEACH — The City of Vero Beach Recreation Department will soon have a new mechanism to fund staffing, facilities and programs using private-sector dollars.
During a presentation about a gazebo addition at Leisure Square Park, Beverly Paris of Paris Productions was prompted Tuesday night by City Manager Jim O’Connor to announce the formation of a new nonprofit organization to benefit city recreation.
“The recreation department is already a 501(c)4,” Paris said, adding that individuals or business can make tax-deductible donations, but she said many people “would rather give to a 501(c)3.”
The new nonprofit would also open up the possibility of applying for grants, which are not currently open to the recreation staff as a government entity. A third benefit would be opportunities for greater publicity of recreation events in publications that devote space and donate advertising only to 501(c)3 organizations.
In recent years, as the economy has caused a budget crunch, the Recreation Department has sought private sponsorships of long-standing community events, including the Christmas tree lighting, July 4 fireworks, the mother-daughter tea and the Halloween parade.
The Vero Beach Lifeguard Association has also raised money to support ocean safety services by purchasing needed equipment that was not in the city budget.
Paris did not say when the new nonprofit would be formed.