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THE BMA WELCOMES YOU TO OUR WEBSITE!

The Bidwell Mansion Association (BMA) is a tax exempt non-profit community-based organization supporting Bidwell Mansion, the 1868 home of John Bidwell, founder of the city of Chico, California.  Founded in 1956, the BMA has been a constant advocate for the Bidwell Mansion. 


PRESS RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE (April 27, 2012):  Bidwell Mansion Association Mediation Talks With State Parks Successful!!!  Please click on this link to learn more.......

THE ACTIONS OF BIDWELL MANSION ASSOCIATION, WITH RESPECT TO ITS NONPROFIT STATUS, ARE INACCURATELY STATED IN THE CHICO ENTERPRISE RECORD (PLEASE SEE APRIL 3, 2012 EDITION).  FOR THE CORRECT INFORMATION REGARDING THIS SITUATION PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK!  YOU MAY ALSO READ THE SAME ARTICLE, BY DAVID VEITH, ON PAGE 4 OF THE CHICO NEWS AND REVIEW, FROM THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012.

NONPROFIT STATUS

The IRS worked at record speed to RESTORE our nonprofit status.  The tax ID numbers in question have been approved retroactively and this can be verified by any interested party via the internet.  What does this mean?  It means that we are a legitimate nonprofit organization (for 56 years) as confirmed by the IRS on February 7, 2012 (please click on this link to see their letter).  Additionally, please read the following Letter to the Editor from our Treasurer Satsie Veith about dates of notification to the board by the IRS (last year) and its successful conclusion as well as the board's response (immediate).  You may also download a copy of the letter by clicking on this link.  To the public and specifically our members, there has never been and never will be any fiduciary malfeasance by any board member neither past nor present.  Please be assured that your contributions have been handled responsibly and with integrity.

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
SATSIE VEITH
BMA TREASURER
APRIL 6, 2012

I have been Treasurer of the Bidwell Mansion Association since January 2011.  With respect to our Nonprofit Status, here is what happened with the IRS.

In 2001 a former Treasurer mistakenly began to file BMA returns on an EIN assigned to a defunct sister organization of the BMA called "The Bidwell Mansion Cooperating Association."  Subsequent Treasurers inherited this error.  Because the BMA's own EIN was not used, it was automatically revoked in May 2010.  However, the Board DID NOT KNOW this until June 2011, when we received a notice from the IRS.  (Yes, it took 13 months!)

From my first call to the IRS, this was clear.  But the IRS had to fix it.  The BMA could not--though we and our allies, including Congressman Wallie Herger's office, did what we could to move things along.  Finally in mid-February of this year the IRS told us to continue using the same EIN we had been using.  They simply removed "Cooperating" from the name associated with that number.

PLEASE NOTE:  The BMA has consistently filed all required returns.  No IRS employee has ever suggested to me any problem with BMA compliance, other than the now-correctd mix-up of EINS.

For those who are interested our status is available on the internet at www.guidestar.com.  Once there, look up"Bidwell Mansion Association" to see our status with the IRS.  The top entry is the working EIN (94-2202782); underneath is the retired number.  Also see California Department of Justice website at http://oag.ca.gov.  Scroll down to "Check on Charity."  You may also check out California Secretary of State's website at https://businessfilings.ca.gov. 


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"THANK YOU" LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE BMA

Please click here to read a "thank you" letter, from our president Kay Brandt, to all who have helped in the effort to save Bidwell Mansion from closure. 

BIDWELL MANSION ASSOCIATION DONATES $25,000 TO KEEP BIDWELL MANSION OPEN....CLICK ON THIS LINK AND READ MORE!

AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE BIDWELL MANSION!!

On May 13, 2011, it was announced that Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park was slated to close in the Spring of 2012.  However, due to swift community action, methods of raising money have been devised to help save Bidwell Mansion from closure.  THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!     

NORTH VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

A community based steering committee is now working towards preventing  Bidwell Mansion from closure.  The Community Steering Committee has set up an account with NVCF (North Valley Community Foundation) to receive donations for the Mansion.  Please make out your check to NVCF and write Bidwell Mansion on the memo line.  Mail to North Valley Community Foundation, 3120 Cohasset Road No. 8, Chico, CA  95973.  Thanks for your help, and please click on the Donate Now tab to learn more about NVCF fundraising events.

BIDWELL MANSION ASSOCIATION IS ON FACEBOOK!

Visit our Facebook page where you will get updated information on Association activities and events.  Please click on this link  and "Like" us.  Feel free to share your thoughts and feelings about Bidwell Mansion and its importance to our community.  We would love to hear from you.  Also, if you would like to send us an email, you may do so at info@bidwellmansionassociation.com.

BIDWELL MANSION HAS A BLOG SITE!

Please click on this link to visit Nancy Leek's Bidwell Blog.

~~JOHN AND ANNIE BIDWELL~~

Bidwell Mansion Association
PO Box 1303
Chico, CA  95927

info@bidwellmansionassociation.com