SANCA delivers paperwork, regains charitable status

EAST COUNTY — The nonprofit that manages Nathan Benderson Park, an aspiring world-class rowing facility, learned a hard lesson in business last week — that a focus on details will define its viability.

The Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates lost its nonprofit status in January, after it failed to provide financial records from fiscal year 2012 to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. But the organization regained its charitable registration April 10. It now can solicit donations from the general public.

SANCA had been registered with the state in 2012 and 2013; its application, which must be renewed annually, expired in August 2013.

Paul Blackketter, president of SANCA, expressed regret for the misstep, and said the error has caused him to reassess his organization, while remaining confident in its ability to manage responsibly.

“It’s as simple as us being so focused on big events and their economic impacts and the satisfaction of athletes and spectators that this was not the priority it should have been,” Blackketter said. “We didn’t have a full-time accounting employee because there was no money for it. The reality is SANCA is cash-poor, but we still have to make sure our team grows with the venue.”

Blackketter said a contract with Sarasota County that went into effect April 15, which requires the county to reimburse SANCA up to $788,722 a year for park expenses and allows the nonprofit to keep fees and revenue from events, will give him the financial support he needs to expand the organization.

With the funding, Blackkettter plans to hire a full-time bookkeeper and marketing and events managers.
County officials say they have no regrets in allowing SANCA to operate the park.

“To some extent, Paul (Blackketter) is inventing the wheel,” said Nora Patterson, Sarasota County commissioner. “He certainly has gone a long way with that wheel. Still, this was a warning shot. I believe he will take the need to be more meticulous more seriously in the future.”

Lobbying for funding
Under Florida law, nonprofits that want to solicit donations from the general public must register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

SANCA plans to launch a fundraising drive — funded partly by private donors — to raise $22 million to expand facilities at Nathan Benderson Park before it hosts the 2017 World Rowing Championships. 

SANCA is lobbying the state for a matching grant that would provide $11 million to finish construction of the park.

The state money would only be paid if SANCA can raise $11 million from private donors.

SANCA President Paul Blackketter has delayed private fundraising until SANCA prepares architectural designs for an $11 million multiuse boathouse that will be a main feature of the park. 

Contact Josh Siegel at [email protected]