Who is FICRA – FICRA

Who Is FICRA?

FICRA, short for “The FICRA Building Trust” (and the former Fox Island Community and Recreation Association), is the non-profit organization that owns and maintains the old schoolhouse located at Nichols Community Center and the nearby Fox Island Nature Center.

Additionally, our volunteer organization serves the Fox Island community by providing a variety of social and recreational activities for islanders to enjoy. FICRA relies on its many volunteer members to make it all happen, from the Easter Egg Hunt in spring, to the annual Summer Solstice Celebration and Fox Island Fair in the summer, to the Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa Run in the winter, and so much more!

The nonprofit organization was formed in February 1970 and meets the requirements of section 501(c)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code. As stated in the Bylaws, the purpose of FICRA is:

to promote matters pertaining to the health and safety of Fox Island residents;
to promote the welfare and development of Fox Island; and
to provide recreation and social activities of a nonprofit nature as a public service to the residents of Fox Island.

Management of FICRA is vested in a seven-member Board of Directors, elected at the Annual Member Meeting in March of each year. Persons residing on or owning property on Fox Island who have paid membership dues for the current year are eligible to vote. The Board meets monthly at the NCC.

As a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, donations to the Trust may be tax deductible under IRS guidelines. Funds donated to the Trust are used to restore and maintain the old schoolhouse, maintain the adjacent gazebo and play area, and improve and maintain the sports field so it can be used by Island families.

The upkeep of the Nichols Community Center (NCC) costs tens of thousands of dollars every year and there are many projects needed to keep it an attractive and valuable community resource. Your contributions and the tremendous number of hours provided by community volunteers every year are essential in supporting the facilities.

The Trust also supports programs that benefit the community, including the Emergency Preparedness Program (EPP) and the Neighborhood Watch Program. EPP brings together resources on Fox Island and in Pierce County to plan for and help respond in providing assistance for Fox Island residents in the event of a major emergency. Neighborhood Watch organizes volunteers to provide extra eyes on Fox Island, and hires Pierce County Sheriff’s deputies for after-hours patrols. The program is instrumental in helping Fox Island keep one of the lowest crime rates for communities of this size in Pierce County.