Last week, the Millennium Executive Committee got some good news from the IRS. After five months and a lot of pestering by Los Altos attorney Mark Smallhouse, the IRS finally gave its nod of approval for 501(c)(3) status for the city's millennium party on Dec. 31.
The designation 501(c)(3) is the IRS code number for groups operating as nonprofit corporations.
Millennium party organizers said this designation is important because it allows crucial tax-exempt donations to be made to projects that qualify.
Because proceeds from the millennium party are going to the new $1.65 million education center planned to supplement the Los Altos History House Museum, the millennium event qualified for the much-sought-after 501(c)(3) status. However, this victory did not come without a lot of persistence on the part of Smallhouse.
Five months ago, when he began the application process, it was to form an umbrella organization, the Los Altos Cultural Association, which would become the nonprofit vehicle for a number of small Los Altos and Los Altos Hills nonprofit groups.
What started out as an effort to provide nonprofit protection for groups like the Town Choir kicked into high gear when it became clear to organizers that the millennium party was going to be one of the biggest events and fund-raisers in the history of Los Altos. Suddenly, they saw an urgent need to be recognized under the 501(c)(3) section of the tax code.
Unfortunately for Smallhouse, convincing the IRS that one of the Bay Area's most lavish New Year's Eve parties should be considered a nonprofit event was anything but gala. Organizers said a process that should have taken three-to-five weeks ground into five months. When word finally came, it was a jubilant Smallhouse who broke the news to the Millennium Executive Committee.
"This was well worth the effort," Smallhouse said. "The History House Education Center Association and the community will benefit, and anyone who misses the midnight surprise planned at the millennium party will be really sorry."
Tickets for the millennium celebration will be mailed to all Los Altos and Los Altos Hills residents beginning in June. Fliers with more event details are available at the Town Crier, Los Altos City Hall and the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce.
For more information or questions about event sponsorships and group tickets, call 941-0786. For information on the History House Education Center, call 599-2255.