SARA * Save the American River Association, Inc.

                                            SARA attains 501 (c)(3) Status
                                                     by Warren Truitt, President

Exciting news!  SARA's recent application to the IRS for tax status was successful.  Federal law allows contributions to 501 (c)(3) organizations to be tax-deductible.  Therefore, all membership contributions and gifts to SARA are now 100% tax-deductible.

Some factors contributing to SARA's decision to seek 501 (c)(3) tax status:

SARA has operated on a very small budget for many years.  However, the major portion of contributions received goes to the operation and part-time staffing of the SARA home office.

The hundreds of thousands of new residents in the greater Sacramento area, beyond enjoying all that the American River and Parkway offers, are not generally aware of what it takes to protect and preserve this incredible community asset.  As it has since 1961, when we mobilized the community and elected officials to create the Parkway, SARA realizes it is our responsibility to take the lead to educate the citizenry as to the values and funding needs of the Parkway.

It is SARA's belief that one of the most important contributions we can make to the Parkway is to grow our membership - to enhance our voice to a level that cannot possibly be ignored by the elected stewards of the Parkway.  Therefore, increased membership and the associated contributions to do additional outreach, is a must.

Lastly, several SARA supporters have advised that their contributions to SARA would increase substantially should SARA become a 501(c)(3) organization.  Their wish has now been granted.

To celebrate our tax-deductible status, all new contributions to SARA received after November 1, 2007, will be matched 100% by several members of the SARA Advisory Council.  This generous match program will run for a period no longer than 6 months and match up to $50,000 in new contributions.

Save the American River Association, Inc. (SARA) takes pride in our historic role as the visionary organization that rallied the community and our elected officials to purchase, fund and manage what is now the premier outdoor resource of our community:  The American River Parkway.  Today, SARA continues to lead efforts to protect and preserve this unique, diverse and nationally recognized nature and recreation area - with a wild and scenic river running through it.

If you are a member and have already contributed to SARA in 2007, thank you.  If you are not yet a member of SARA, your membership has lapsed, or you wish to trigger the match, please contribute to SARA during this special match opportunity period.