Financial Pages

First, the good news. The LPF is solvent, has paid all its bills, and looks like ending the year 2000 with a tidy balance. As a result, 2000 expenditures have almost doubled over 1999 with taxes at $4,147, the largest item, followed next by education at $3,100. We hope to be able to eliminate or at least reduce taxes through the conservation easement so that those $4,000 can go to educational programs.

The good news is that Ely businessman Steve Piragis has offered the LPF the use of the gallery above Northwoods Outfitters, now occupied by nationally famous photographer Jim Brandenburg. This will give the LPF the presence in Ely toward which it has been working since the beginning. Estimated cost p/a $3500-$4000. We are looking for a grant.

The good news is that income from donations for 2000 are expected to equal or even exceed last year's rate of 63 percent of all new income.

In case you are wondering, the LPF considers that 100 percent of its assets go to programs and program support. All services are voluntary. We may, this coming year, begin to invest in a serious fund-raising campaign, which seems to be unavoidable if we are to reach some of the minimum objectives of the LPF programs.

The bad news is that, short of a miracle, we will not reach our 2000 goal of hiring an Executive Director even though we have had applications for the position from several very promising people. This means that the LPF cannot actually initiate certain wilderness education programs without an office and staff to carry them out. Very frustrating when there is so much to do, tantalizing when we are so close!

The moral of the story, dear reader, is to urge you to make your contribution before the end of the year. The sine qua non of non-profit organization is public support. Unless we can show that a substantial percentage of our income comes from public donations, the IRS may yet revoke our non-profit status. We know you wouldn't like that anymore than we would.

So let me put it this way. The Listening Point Foundation plans to be around indefinitely. We are now engaged in a historic revival of the Sigurd Olson legacy with Listening Point itself the physical and spiritual centerpiece. In our view, being part of this adventure is an opportunity, a chance to be counted among the original and faithful supporters of the LPF twin goals: to preserve Listening Point in perpetuity for the pleasure and inspiration of future generations; and to continue Sigurd Olson's legacy of wilderness education.