IRS Decision on Continuing Non-Profit Status

Internal Revenue Service
District Director
P. O. BOX 2508
Cincinnati, OH 45201

Date: May 30, 2002

Troubled Times, Inc.
PO Box 10
North Freedom, WI 53951

Department of the Treasury
Employer Identification Number: 94-3280008
Our Letter Dated: May 12,1998
Advance Ruling Period Begins: July 22, 1997
Addendum Applies: No

Dear Applicant:

This modifies our letter of the above date in which we stated that you would be treated as an organization that is not a private foundation until the expiration of your advance ruling period.

Your exempt status under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code as an organization described in section 501(c)(3) is still in effect. Based on the information you submitted, we have determined that you are not a private foundation within the meaning of section 509(a) of the Code because you are an organization of the type described in section 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi).

Grantors and contributors may rely on this determination unless the Internal Revenue Service publishes notice to the contrary. However, if you lose your section 509(a)(1) status, a grantor or contributor may not rely on this determination if he or she was in part responsible for, or was aware of, the act or failure to act, or the substantial or material change on the part of the organization that resulted in your lose of such status, or if he or she acquired knowledge that the Internet Revenue Service had given notice that you would not longer be classified as a section 509(a)(1) organization.

You are required to make your annual information return, Form 990 or Form 990-EZ, available for public inspection for three years after the later of the due date or the return or the date the return is filed. You are also required to make available for public inspection your exemption application, any supporting documents, and your exemption letter. Copies of these documents are also required to be provided to any individual upon written or in person request without charge other than reasonable fees for copying and postage. You may fulfill this requirement by placing these documents on the Internet. Penalties may be imposed for failure to comply with these requirements. Additional information is available in Publication 557, Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization, or you may call our toll free number shown above.

If we have indicated in the heading of this letter than an addendum applies, the addendum enclosed is an integral part of this letter.

Because this letter could help resolve any questions about your private foundation status, please keep it in your personal records.

If you have any questions, please contact the person hose name and telephone number are shown above.

Sincerely yours,

Steven T. Miller
Director, Exempt Organization