Stretching…It’s More Than Just Something Good for Your Body
A tale of EAA Chapter 878, 501(c)(3), and two(!!) hangars
By Wayne Flury, EAA Lifetime 117059
In 2016, I led the process of applying for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status for EAA Chapter 878, and by the time we received it in 2017, the chapter had been in existence for a little more than 30 years. That’s not insignificant and speaks to the viability of an EAA chapter in our area as well as our status as an aviation resource within the local aviation community.
Initially, we didn’t have a specific objective or goal for becoming a nonprofit – it was based upon a sense that having this designation would be beneficial for general donations and the future of the chapter.
One day, while working on the application, I was on a phone call with EAA staff member Charlie Becker, and I commented about the effort and whether it was worth it. I recall that Charlie responded with the usual benefits of being a nonprofit, but then he added it could possibly lead to being able to acquire our own hangar!
Being a polite, nonconfrontational, Minnesota-nice person, I didn’t respond out loud to that prediction but, in my mind, I was dismissively thinking, “Yeah, sure, like that’ll ever happen!”
Fast forward a few years – we have nonprofit status and, not one, but two hangars!
While talking with Charlie at AirVenture a couple of years later, he asked if I would write something about how we got our hangar. Charlie – sorry it took so long for me to get this done! But, in my defense, I must note that we’re still updating and modifying our second hangar into our “Aviation Education Center.”
So, just HOW in the heck did this happen?
There’s no simple answer to that question, not even for those within our own chapter, and most certainly not for other chapters who might ask. Each situation is and will be unique. Our story, and I think that of other comparable chapters, is more than just meeting the requirements for 501(c)(3). It’s really the result of the subsequent input, activity, and involvement of all our chapter members.
I decided an analogy would be to think of our application as being similar to that of exercise in a physical fitness program, something those of us in the “graying” phase of our life might understand – we needed to stretch.
A new chapter president took our reins in 2015, and, using the knowledge and experience gained through his small business and with other volunteer groups, we began a more intentional meeting process – we planned yearly budgets, made meetings more attractive for current and potential members to attend (think food and interesting program presentations), collaborated with an IMC Club group to be integrated into the chapter, emphasized outreach to local high school STEM programs, expanded our social media presence, focused on profitable fundraising efforts, and became more definitive in recognition of our chapter members and their volunteer engagements.
Yep, we were stretching!
Before we got nonprofit status, we discussed buying or building a small hangar, or just a garage, where we could have meetings and store our accumulated “stuff.” It never progressed past the “thinking” stage due to financial constraints and limited options at the two airports, Maple Lake and Buffalo, in our primary area.
But, practically concurrent with our nonprofit approval, a hangar on the Maple Lake Airport became available from a former chapter member. It was small with an open front but had a very favorable price (a reflection of the condition of the hangar!). We reacted quickly, and it was ours (though our nonprofit status was not a factor in this case)! We invested in materials, used volunteer labor, borrowed equipment to rebuild and raise the roof, and we acquired a door from a couple at another airport who were remodeling their hangar. They cut their asking price considerably after learning that we could provide a charitable contribution letter!
Aha…our first benefit of being a nonprofit organization! Everyone was happy. We had “stretched” and were feeling good.
What we didn’t do well was due diligence regarding an engineering analysis of our modifications, and formal approval by the city and airport board. Then, a proposed revision to the airport plan showed this hangar would be subject to future condemnation and demolition, although a later plan revision removed this problem. After some chapter soul-searching, we concluded that its size and location would seriously restrict our options for programs and projects. An eventual buyer, willing to invest in the required construction corrections, allowed us to escape and sell our first chapter hangar.
Moral of the story thus far:
- a) Have a “hangar manager” with construction experience.
- b) Have a solid plan.
- c) Be careful while stretching; you may pull a muscle or two and suffer a setback!
Serendipitously, another hangar, owned by the widow of a past chapter member, became available. Though this hangar also needed improvements and upgrades, it had the “bones” to support our plans, had sufficient size, and was in a secure location on the airport.
A benefit of our new nonprofit status was that we had begun receiving significant donations from a few members. These donations, along with our “hangar fund” reserve from past fundraisings, the support of a loan from a local bank, and a charitable contribution letter to the owner allowed us to purchase our second hangar in August 2021. Stretching was becoming a habit!
I encourage the use of a local bank and other businesses as much as possible. Not only are you working with people you probably already know, but they are invested in the community (which, in our case, includes the airport) and want to do everything possible to help you succeed. Yes, even this is stretching — spreading the word of EAA off the airport and into the community.
The hangar upgrade projects began immediately, with oversight of a facilities manager and input from a hangar committee, using both skilled contractors and volunteer labor. In September 2022 we held our first chapter meeting, meal, and social time in our “new” hangar home. While we had much more to do, there was an obvious mood of excitement about the future.
I’m quite sure we never actually used the term “stretch” at any time while planning or thinking about our yearly goals, budget, hangar acquisition and more, but in retrospect that’s what we were doing. If we continue to think about the model of a physical fitness program, you know there are no shortcuts or secrets. It’s hard work and must be tailored to the needs or objectives of each person (or chapter).
Is 501(c)(3) status an essential need for a chapter? Perhaps not, but it demonstrates a plan, a path, a commitment, and the goal of establishing credibility. There is more benefit to being a nonprofit than just using it to acquire a hangar, but was it instrumental in acquiring our hangar? Absolutely.
Can a chapter exist and be successful without having their own hangar? Certainly. Does having a chapter hangar attract new members and new ideas and new life and new energy? It certainly has for us. Will that new energy be welcomed and accepted into the chapter? Only if you let it.
Our “stuff” is now consolidated (even though we could still provide a challenge to someone with advanced organizing and decluttering skills); we rent space to a member for his airplane; and we’ve held chapter meetings, social gatherings, burger feeds (with special invitations to City of Maple Lake personnel), Build and Fly sessions, and Young Eagle flights. It’s now being set up for an RV-4 build project with youths from the area, led by a new member adult coordinator who is an A&P and a leader in the local CAP squadron. While we currently have two major fundraising events at another airport, we’re planning to bring back an event to the Maple Lake airport, using the Chapter 878 hangar as a centerpiece.
Now please excuse me, I need to stretch my legs.
Wayne Flury
EAA Lifetime 117059
EAA Chapter 878
763-670-6021
wflury@outlook.com