OUR PURPOSE
Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park is dedicated to:
Supporting the park in its mission to enhance the public's experience through educational and interpretive programs and to preserve the park's unique biological, geological, archaeological, recreational, and scenic resources.
Keeping the park open.
OUR ROOTS & CREDENTIALS
- Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park is currently operating as an arm of CRSPIA†, the non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that has supported Palomar for over two
decades. We're registered with the County of San Diego as a legally recognized division of CRSPIA (dba).
|
100%
of every dollar donated to Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park while under the auspices of CRSPIA
will go directly and exclusively towards supporting Palomar Mountain
State Park. Contributions to Friends of PMSP are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law under CRSPIA's 501(c)(3) status. |
- Incorporated in 1977, CRSPIA is active and in good standing with the California Secretary of State.
- CRSPIA is the official cooperating association recognized and contracted by the California Department of Parks and Recreation for Palomar's support. Founded originally to support Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, CRSPIA began supporting Palomar Mountain State Park in the 1980s. The California Department of Parks and Recreation provides hands-on guidance and monitors the association's financial activity through its designated Cooperating Association Liaison, the superintendent of State Parks' Montane sector in which Palomar is situated.
- CRSPIA is listed in the California Attorney General's Registry of Charitable Trusts.
- CRSPIA is listed in the IRS's registry of tax exempt organizations.
State Park will be created as a separate non-profit cooperating association.
The
idea of a non-profit association supporting a park is nothing new. In
fact, there are over 80 such cooperating associations supporting
California state parks. Briefly,
aside from raising money to keep the park open, Friends of Palomar
Mountain State Park supports the park financially for things like:
- Tools and materials for trail maintenance and rehabilitation (e.g., bridge repair, signage)
- Funds to create and support a docent program
- Educational displays and collections
- Audio-visual equipment and supplies
- Materials for a Junior Ranger program for children
- Materials and contract labor for facility repair and reconstruction
Such financial assistance is needed now more than ever.
†Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Interpretive Association