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Arden Hills Foundation
FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I donate to the Arden Hills Foundation through the United Way?
A: The Arden Hills Foundation does not directly provide services so we cannot be included on the United Way's selection list. However, you can still donate to us through the United Way by including our name and our EIN number (46-1557589) on your donation form.
Q: Is the Arden Hills Foundation part of the city?
A: No. They are separate legal entities, each with their own governing boards.
The City of Arden Hills is lead by the City Council and supported by city staff.
The Arden Hills Foundation is lead by its Board of Directors, all of which are volunteers. The Arden Hills Foundation has no paid staff. The Arden Hills Foundation is incorporated in Minnesota and is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charity.
Q: Is my donation tax deductible?
A: Yes. The IRS recognizes the Arden Hills Foundation as a charitable organization.
Q: How much does the Arden Hills Foundation spend on staff and expenses? How much is used to help the community?
A: Since the Arden Hills Foundation has no paid staff or paid office space, its expenses are minimal—mail and communications expenses, mostly. Expenses are running at less than 1% of donations.
Q: Where do donations go?
A: Many donations to the Arden Hills Foundation are given specifically for certain projects or programs. These are called “designated gifts” and are used accordingly.
For example, money donated to the Arden Hills Foundation for park benches or basketball hoops in city parks is given to the City of Arden Hills. The city then purchases, installs, maintains the equipment.
Other donations do not involve the city staff. Donations to improve the water quality in Karth Lake are used to pay invoices from the vendors providing the service—the company providing the fish for stocking the lake, the company clearing the ice, or the company clearing debris from the lake.
The Arden Hills Foundation Board of Directors determines how to best use general donations. To date they have been used things such as scholarships for residents who wish to participate in Park and Recreation programs but are unable to afford to and to support an after school snack program for elementary school students. General donations have also been used to purchase additional park benches, to add grill equipment to Cummings and Perry parks, and to replace/add neighborhood watch signs within the city.
Q: I have an idea for a project—what do I do next?
A: You can use the “Contact Us” place on this web site to send the AHF Board of Directors information about your idea. We like to receive ideas from residents. One of us will get back to you about the next step (which will vary depending on who the stakeholders will be).