The Catskill Chronicle

HASBROUCK, NY (August 16, 2011) – The Old Stone House of Hasbrouck, NY, has been officially granted tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service and New York State.

The new status – commonly known as 501(c)3 because of the section of federal tax code dealing with charitable groups – allows supporters who donate money to the community center to deduct their donations on personal income tax returns. A group’s tax-exempt status can result in dramatic savings for individuals who make large donations, so charitable groups sometimes see contributions spike after becoming tax exempt.

The Old Stone House, originally built about the same time Thomas Jefferson yielded the Presidency to James Madison, was purchased by the grassroots community group Concerned Citizens of Hasbrouck in 1977, as the first step in providing improved local access to regional arts, culture, and history. More than three decades later, the building hosts regular classes in writing, painting and pottery – for both kids and adults – along with monthly art and photography exhibitions in its two main display rooms.

Just last winter, generous donations of time, money and material allowed The Old Stone House to complete a number of needed interior renovations. The new tax-exempt status, says the group’s President, Alana Sherman, "will let more and more area supporters freely contribute to our organization, while gaining the maximum allowable personal tax benefit."

Ms. Sherman asks that contributions be made payable to Old Stone House of Hasbrouck, Inc. and mailed to The Old Stone House, P.O. Box 355, Woodbourne, NY 12788.