Commission creates new funding arm

By KURT HAUGLIE, DMG Writer

CALUMET - For the members of the Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission, raising money for some of the projects related to the park can be difficult, but they're hoping the creation of a separate fund-raising entity will help that process.

Kim Hoagland, advisory commission chairwoman, said Copper Country Preservation Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation, which besides being intended to educate people about the park and its mission to preserve and interpret the copper mining experience in the Keweenaw Peninsula, also has the ability to collect monetary donations and receive and sell property.

"The advisory commission decided to create a nonprofit (entity) because some organizations only give to nonprofits," Hoagland said.

For example, Hoagland said the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts will give money only to nonprofit organizations.

Although the CCP was created by the advisory commission in 2006, Hoagland said it took until spring 2007 to get the 501c3 nonprofit status.

"You need both state and federal approval," she said.

Hoagland said CCP will be working on both bricks and mortar projects and promotional projects, such as are needed for the park's Heritage Sites and other partners.

"We wanted to make it broad enough that it would fit many projects," she said.

Hoagland said the park commission's Fund Development Director Scott See is working to find donations for the CCP specifically to be applied to the Quincy Smelter Works in Ripley.

Although the property is owned by Franklin Township, it's in the KNHP boundaries and park officials want to be involved with its development.

"That's the first big deal (for the CCP)," she said.

See is on contract to the advisory commission until late October, and Hoagland said he's also working on a plan to find funding through the CCP for Heritage Site projects such as directional signage.

The CCP is comprised of all the advisory commission members with no other representatives from the community, Hoagland said.

"It's not a membership organization," she said.

Hoagland said the advisory commission will be working with the National Parks Conservation Association to try to find funding sources in the upper Midwest.

"With a national park, everyone should feel ownership," she said. "It will be an interesting test to see if it's possible to raise money in that arena."

Hoagland said it's been difficult to raise money for the park locally, but not because of a lack of interest by residents.

"I don't think there's that much money out there," she said.

Kurt Hauglie can be reached at khauglie@mininggazette.com