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There’s a big discussion going on now, on the AACA forum, the AACA club and the AACA museum, while separate entities, were pretty much joined at the hip, not so anymore, they’ve parted ways. It comes as a shock to those of us who thought they were very close, when you Google “AACA” it even comes up with a statement saying the club runs the museum.
I would guess, though I don’t know, the Pierce museum is also a separate entity from the club, for tax and legal reasons? That’s a question…
Just curious, I know that the museum is run by dedicated Pierce Arrow people, so a rift like this would be highly unlikely.
David,
Good questions. I’ll try to clarify our much wiser course.
The Pierce-Arrow Foundation owns the Pierce-Arrow Museum. It is a separate organization and a 501(c)3 non-profit educational foundation and all donations are tax exempt. The Museum serves as a physical repository for Pierce-Arrow related things. The Pierce-Arrow Society is a 501(c)7 non-profit corporation, but any donations and some profits are taxable to any donor and the club. The Society provides no direct cash support for the Foundation and Museum. Instead the museum is relying totally on support from Pierce-Arrow enthusiasts. Neither organization has any financial responsibility to the other. We hope that both organizations will always function as equal partners to preserve and promote Pierce-Arrow and its history. While operational cooperation is very desirable for both, a formal organization “merger”” is fraught with dangers for both entities and should not be considered. The AACA situation confirms that. We certainly always welcome input from the club and members on how we can work together to improve the Museum because it is theirs in spirit while being fully insulated from any financial obligation.
Dave Stevens
Pierce-Arrow Society Director at Large and Regional Director
Pierce-Arrow Museum Executive Director and Trustee”
Well stated, Dave.
We are very fortunate that the founders of the Pierce-Arrow Museum and its supporting Foundation got it right the first time.
Merlin
“it is theirs in spirit”…what a great way to put it! Thanks for the explanation, Dave……
The AACA has gotten to be a big business, as has the Museum apparently, and I’m convinced that money in those cases has prevailed over hobby “spirit”. One of my best friends is on the board of AACA (club), and he and I have some spirited discussions!
As Dave mentioned, as a 501(c) (3) organization such as the Pierce-Arrow Foundation enjoys exemption from federal income tax and is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. The most common types of 501(c) (3) organizations are religious, charitable, and educational in nature – the Pierce-Arrow Foundation being in the latter category. However, these benefits granted by the Internal Revenue Service come with the requirement of strong adherence to the exempt purposes defined in a constitution – and with the addition of strict recordkeeping obligations.
Some car organizations have tried to meet the 501(c) (3) requirements with disastrous results. After years of operation by at least one such car organization, the IRS imposed past due federal income taxes and penalties.
The Pierce-Arrow Foundation, which operates the Pierce-Arrow Museum, is a separate non-for-profit organization from the Pierce-Arrow Society. However, both benefit from a complimentary, and symbiotic, relationship. Each benefits from the existence of the other.
Each organization has its own board of directors that are selected from the members who provide its direct and ongoing support. The management of each organization is focused on the particular goals and objectives that make each entity unique.
Particularly important to the respective longevities is that since inception each organization has been financially responsible and completely independent. Neither organization owes its existence to the other. Funds and resources in each organization are allocated based on the focus of its board of directors and officers.
Many Pierce-Arrow enthusiasts are active in both organizations and I often see the positive results that flow from this close cooperation. A project that starts in one organization becomes of interest to members in the other organization.
Indeed the founders got it right the first time and we should stay the course!
Rich Lange, President
Pierce-Arrow Society
It should also be noted that Rich Lange, as President of the Pierce-Arrow Society currently has an automatic seat on the Pierce-Arrow Foundation Board and serves as a Trustee with full voting rights. This status is granted to each PAS President during their term.
The majority of living Society Past-Presidents continue to serve actively as elected Foundation Trustees and help to guide the future of the Pierce-Arrow Museum. Those current Trustees are George Teebay, Ralph McKittrick, Arnold Romberg, David Harris, Marc Hamburger and Paul Johnson.