Industrial Mutual Association

The Industrial Mutual Association of Flint (commonly known as the Industrial Mutual Association or by its abbreviation IMA) was a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization whose focus was to benefit the workers and families of workers of General Motors.

Industrial Mutual Association
Industrial Mutual Association of Flint
AbbreviationIMA
FormationSeptember 22, 1922; 101 years ago (1922-09-22)
Founded atFlint, Michigan, United States
Dissolved2008; 16 years ago (2008)
Merger ofFlint Vehicle Factories Mutual Benefit Association and The Industrial Fellowship League
Type501(c)(4) organization
38-0677900
HeadquartersBurton, Michigan, United States
Revenue
  • US$2,063,354 (2007)
  • US$2,404,407 (2006)
Expenses
  • US$2,070,568 (2007)
  • US$2,668,422 (2006)
[1][2][3][4][5][6]

History edit

The Industrial Mutual Association was formed on September 22, 1922, with the merger of the Flint Vehicle Factories Mutual Benefit Association and the Industrial Fellowship League.[1][2][6]

The organization reported to the Internal Revenue Service with its 2008 Form 990 that it had discontinued its operations.[3] On January 1, 2019, the organization transferred its remaining assets, worth US$2,610,679 at the time, to the IMA Recreation Association.[3]

Flint Vehicle Factories Mutual Benefit Association edit

The Flint Vehicle Factories Mutual Benefit Association (originally known as the Flint Vehicle Factory Mutual Benefit Association and sometimes referred to as the Flint Vehicle Factories Mutual Association) was founded by Josiah Dallas Dort to provide insurance for workers of General Motors automobile factories.[2][6]

Industrial Fellowship League edit

The Industrial Fellowship League was formed within the YMCA by Charles Stewart Mott to provide recreational and educational activities to workers of automobile factories.[2][6]

Activities edit

The Industrial Mutual Association provided services and activities meant to benefit the workers and families of workers of General Motors.[1][6]

 
Industrial Mutual Association Auditorium, circa 1925
 
Exterior of Dort Financial Center in March 2016

In 1929, it built the Industrial Mutual Association Auditorium on the former site of the Randall Lumber and Coal Company, and the previous site of the Crapo Sawmill, for US$1,200,000 (equivalent to $21,293,023 in 2023).[7] Its final major event was a Peter Frampton concert held on June 1, 1979.[7] The auditorium was sold to the Mott Foundation for US$2,400,000 (equivalent to $10,075,378 in 2023) and was incorporated into the AutoWorld theme park,[7] which opened in July 1984 and closed in 1994.[8] The building was imploded in February 1997.[9]

In 1969, the association built the IMA Sports Arena (today known as the Dort Financial Center) for US$10,000,000 (equivalent to $83,085,299 in 2023).[10] It sold the arena to the city of Flint in 1980.[10]

At the time of their dissolution, the organization's activities included providing recreational activities to workers of General Motors, such as golf, softball, hockey, basketball, chess, quilting, soccer, karate, and theatre.[3] They also provided food services at recreation facilities including concessions and catering services.[3]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Salameh, Malinda. "Industrial Mutual Association". www.motorcities.org. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  2. ^ a b c d "You Auto Know". MotorCities National Heritage Area.
  3. ^ a b c d e "2008 Form 990" (PDF). GuideStar. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  4. ^ "2007 Form 990" (PDF). GuideStar. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  5. ^ "2006 Form 990" (PDF). GuideStar. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  6. ^ a b c d e "The industrial mutual association : contributor to the educational, recreational, and charitable betterment of Flint, Michigan". doi:10.25335/m54q7qz3w. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. ^ a b c Dennison, Cheryl (2015-10-01). "The Late, Great IMA Auditorium". My City Magazine. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  8. ^ Highsmith, Andrew R. (2009). "Demolition Means Progress: Race, Class, and the Destruction of the American Dream in Flint, Michigan" (PDF). The University of Michigan. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
  9. ^ Adams, Dominic (2014-08-07). "#FlintTBT: IMA Auditorium was downtown Flint entertainment hub for 50 years". mlive. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  10. ^ a b Dresden, Eric (2014-12-09). "A timeline of Perani Arena's history in Flint and teams that have called it home". MLive Media Group. Retrieved 2023-11-07.