PORT ANGELES — An anonymous $10,000 donation to Pennies for Quarters is getting the ball rolling for the soon-to-be nonprofit.
The organization’s goal is to build a community of 40 tiny houses, which are homes that are just a few hundred square feet, and offer a one-year transitional program for veterans getting back on their feet.
“This $10,000 is really a shot in the arm for getting things started and getting things underway,” said Matthew Rainwater, the group’s board president.
That donation is among the first for the newly-formed organization.
Another donation from the North Peninsula Building Association is expected after the association agreed to donate a portion of its proceeds from its holiday gala to both Pennies for Quarters and Toys for Tots.
The other donation Pennies for Quarters has received was $500 from a person in Minnesota.
“The response we’ve had in the community has been tremendous,” Rainwater said. “We’re looking forward to making this project happen, hopefully by spring.”
Several landowners have offered up property for the project to sell. The board hopes to pick a property during its meeting this week, he said.
“We’ve had a lot of people that want to be an active part of it,” Rainwater said. “We’re going to need a lot of help as we start moving forward and things get underway.”
Pennies for Quarters is taking steps for gaining 501(c)(3) nonprofit status this week, he said.
The board is expected to approve bylaws and send an application to become a nonprofit to the IRS.
Through a fiscal sponsor, Green Alliance for Veterans Education/Northwest Veterans Resource Center (GAVE), Pennies for Quarters is now able to accept tax-deductible donations, Rainwater said. Checks can be sent to P.O. Box 1705, Port Angeles, WA, 98362.
Donations need to be annotated for Pennies for Quarters or P4Q, he said.
Rainwater anticipates Pennies for Quarters will need upward of $1 million to create the community. That money would go toward building the houses and central building, acquiring land and paying for services.
For more information, email mrainwater@penniesforquarters.org, call 360-775-4222 or go to www.penniesforquarters.org.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.
