Help us with property tax appeal

We are currently involved in a property tax exemption appeal.  As a 501 (c)(3) organization we should be tax exempt.  The state of Ohio will not recognize that we do educational outreach and have considered us "unworthy" of an exemption.  We are currently involved in an appeal before the Board of Tax Appeals.  Donations will be used to help with this appeal and offset expenses due to the appeal process.   There is far more at stake here than ghost hunting or the future of the Adams Center. What is at stake is the state of Ohio dictating what tax exempt, not for profit organizations are allowed to do to raise funds. The state is not only putting us under a microscope because of ghost hunting but also because we allowed filming at the mansion. They are also challenging churches which use their buildings once a week for worship but then rent the buildings out to raise funds for the church other days of the week. The same is true for American Legion and VFW posts who lease or rent their halls to raise money for their charities. Dinners and catering at non profit locations as well as many other fundraising efforts will and have come under fire from the state.

When it comes to ghost hunting what has happened to us was inevitable. At some point another not for profit would have been formed for another historic site in Ohio. They would have applied for and been denied the property tax exemption. They would have fought the state as we are and this entire situation would have occurred anyway. To all of the other nonprofits out there who use ghost hunting to raise funds we wish you only the best and continued success. Is it possible that a bad outcome for the Adams Center could affect their hunts? Yes. We are truly saddened by this but as stated it was inevitable this would happen at some point with a state government obsessed with taxes and burdened by billions of dollars in debt. Ultimately what is at issue here is the future of non profit organizations in Ohio. If nonprofits are not permitted to raise funds in a manner that works for them they will begin to fold and become extinct in the state. If you are an Ohio not for profit you should be worried about this case. Please realize though it was not and is not our intention to harm you or your efforts and we hope you will pay attention to this case and stand behind us in our struggle. Thank you.