Organizers of the Vicksburg-Warren Community Alliance Inc., say they hope obtaining official non-profit status will increase donations.

Bobby Bailess, chairman of the Alliance board of trustees, said the group has been recognized as a 501(c)3 organization, making donations to the Alliance tax-deductible on federal and state returns.

The group had been operating as a private corporation since self-forming four years ago as an umbrella organization to coordinate activities of multiple state and private agencies.

“We hope this will broaden the scope of ways to raise funds for the benefit of this community,” Bailess said.

Today, the Alliance operates with an annual budget of about $55,000 from mostly private donations, said Charlotte Koestler Duffey, director.

Those funds have been used to fund TV commercials that have appeared in out-of-state markets, a community Web calender, signs to downtown and other projects approved by the Alliance 25-member board of trustees which represents 14 community organizations that are members.

Membership in the Alliance is open to the public and organizations that are a part of the group include local governments, economic development associations and charities.

Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 73, Vicksburg, MS 39181. For more information call 601-638-1140.