MPCUG Foundation receives OK from IRS
The final determination has been made by the IRS, and MPCUG Foundation
has been granted tax exempt, non-profit status, making the Foundation
a qualified 501c3 organization. This designation is a reference
to the specific IRS tax code that defines such organizations.
For tax purposes this means that money donated to the Foundation
for its educational, and charitable activities is tax deductible
for the the donor.
The creation of the Foundation helps the MPCUG expand its community
outreach activities, and encourage direct contributions to these
efforts from members of the group, members of the community, corporate
and business sponsors. There is even a potential for funding through
grants that the Foundation might apply for.
MPCUG through the Community SIG is active in bringing computer
technologies to community agencies, schools, and others. The Foundation
will be an effective partner, with the SIG to expand the effectiveness
of volunteer action and participation.
The MPCUG has for almost 5 years presented scholarships to qualified
high school seniors in the Greater Madison area, as well as such
outlying communities as Columbus, Oregon, Sun Prairie, and Lodi.
This has been significant in the lives of many college bound students
who knew that computer skills and careers were a part of their
future. The Foundation plans to continue to provide these scholarships,
and this represents an immediate need for funds.
Please support the MPCUG foundation with direct donations. These
gifts are tax deductible but individuals should review the tax
implications of their own gifts with an accountant or other tax
professional.
The Madison PC User Group Foundation has awarded three scholarships to area high school seniors who plan to pursue the use of computers in their educational plans beyond high school. Rod McKenzie, Executive Director of the Foundation is pleased to make the following announcement of the 2000 MPCUG Scholarship Program.
This years recipients include students from Madison West High School, Madison La Follette High School, and Sauk Prairie High School. The selection of candidates is made by the Scholarship Committee at each high school, and the criteria includes academic excellence, citizenship, and a demonstrated interest in using computers in an innovative way to enhance his/her educational goals.
Ross Tredinnick received the MPCUG Scholarship at West High School. Ross plans to attend the UW-Madison this fall in Computer Engineering.
Timothy Ford, from La Follette High School in Madison, also received an MPCUG Scholarship. He will attend UW-Madison, majoring in Computer Engineering. He was ranked 15th in his graduating class, and has been on the honor roll all four years that he attended La Follette.
Nathan Hutter, a senior at Sauk Prairie High School, received the third MPCUG Scholarship for 2000. He graduated with honors this spring. Nathan has been active in computer related activities throughout his high school career, and recently completed enhancements to the school's web site. He intends to continue his education in the marketing, as well as in computers. He will enter Madison Area Technical College in the fall.
This is the fifth year that MPCUG has awarded scholarships to students in the south central Wisconsin area. Recipients have included students in all of the high schools in the Madison Metropolitan School District, Monona, Middleton, Verona, Waunakee, Lodi, Marshall, McFarland, Columbus, Oregon, Sauk Prairie. Over twenty scholarships have been awarded since the program began in 1996.
The MPCUG Foundation has been established as the charitable arm of the Madison PC Users Group. It can receive tax deductible donations from its members, corporations, and the public at large, to assist it in performing the educational and community services that it has been chartered and incorporated to fulfill. Contributions are encouraged, so that this work, and other new initiatives can grow, and benefit the communities where MPCUG members work, and live.