Who Owns The Trapshooting Hall of Fame Museum & Offices?

This question has been asked several times on this forum. But, who really does own the Trapshooting Hall of Fame Museum that houses a wonderful collection of artifacts associated with our sport, some dating back to the 1880's.

A few years ago, supporters were asked to fund the construction of a $2.3 million dollar museum and office where these artifacts could be displayed.

The current discussion titled "What happens to HOF donation fees if the ATA moves?" brings up the ownership question again.

At no time has the Trustees of the Trapshooting Hall of Fame ever discussed ownership. Every bit of information allowed readers to believe the organization would own the building they paid for.

We all had "blind trust" for both the ATA and the THOF. Why wouldn't we?

A series of missteps by both organizations, led some of us to search for the truth. One such search uncovered the below lease agreement between the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Trapshooting Hall of Fame, Inc.

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Thank You HB

 

Thank you History Buff.

Now, for the sake of all around, what is the financial relationship between ATA and THOF, ie., outside of generous anonymous donations of cash and transferable assets, how does THOF achieve and maintain solvency?

 

HB is AMAZING, thank you one more time
... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

There's no easy answer to your question Phantom.

I'll start with the fact that they are each a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization with their own purpose, rules, directors, finances and reporting to both the IRS and the State of Illinois.

The ATA has a long history of assisting the THOF. ATA officers along with Betty Ann Bixler-Foxowrthy created the Hall of Fame and for many years the outgoing ATA President assumed a spot on the THOF Board of Trustees.

In Vandalia, the ATA provided space, heat and electric for the museum & offices and even today, the ATA provides many services to the THOF. Just a few years ago ATA Board of Directors voted to give the THOF $250,000 to help with the cost to construct the museum & offices at the World Shooting and Recreation Complex. Nobody's talking but I don't believe most of the Delegates were aware that the THOF gifted the building to the IDNR. The lease makes it clear who owns the building.

It's even possible that most of the Zone Vice Presidents did not know Illinois would own the museum & offices. One thing for sure . . . . donors were not advised and most ATA members and THOF supporters still don't know it.

Each organization has its own Employer Identification Number (EIN) used when filing annually with the Federal and State authorities.

ATA EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (EIN) 20-2118440

THOF EMPLOYER IDENDIFICATION NUMBER (EIN) 31-0843232

Financial documents for each organization can be found online.

Here's last year's audit of the Trapshooting Hall of Fame, Inc. There's a lot of interesting information contained in the annual audits.

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It would appear that "The Lease Agreement" represents an existential stranglehold on THOF and, by association, the ATA.

In simple terms, it would be reasonable to conclude that the rank and file has been "sold down the river."

 

THANK YOU History Buff for once again presenting us with the FACTS, and not someone's off hand opinion.

You never cease to amaze us, the readers of your posts, with all the FACTS that you dig up from the hidden side of things.

I see the THOF has to pay taxes on a STATE OWNED building ? Is that correct ? And provide ALL the maintenance on the STATE OWNED building also ?

As The Phantom so plainly put it: the rank and file has been "sold down the river."

One more time...WE rank and file were on a "NEED TO KNOW BASIS".

Still Pees me off when I think of what I was told by one of the "Uppers" !!!

 

History Buff,

Do you have access to a copy of the contract for the construction of THOF building?