Nonprofit Created to Raise Funds for City

A nonprofit foundation that can accept cash donations for city projects while giving donors a tax break was created Monday by a divided City Council.

Gifts to the city would fund projects, such as cleanup days, parks improvements and events. Donors are eligible for income tax deductions due to the foundation’s nonprofit designation.

Tustin, Anaheim and Long Beach are among local cities with similar foundations.

Though the foundation was established, council members, for now, decided against allocating funds to pay for a part-time or contract employee to raise funds. Options for fund-raising, which may fall to current city staff members, will be explored.