The Issaquah City Council this week agreed to grant the Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park $25,000 to hire an executive director, reversing an earlier decision to grant the parks advocacy group nothing.

Last month, the Friends were the only group to apply for nonprofit funding that were not recommended by Mayor Fred Butler to receive money.

In further discussion by the council during an Oct. 23 work session, council members elaborated that while the Friends’ mission to support the park was good, the group did not have its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in order.

Here’s the thing: According to Friends chair Chris Kovac, they received their approval letter from the Internal Revenue Service the day of that discussion. The Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park were granted 501(c)(3) retroactive to April 2, 2013, Kovac said.

Initially the Issaquah officials planned to move ahead with the mayor’s original recommendation and help the Friends in future grantwriting efforts, city spokesperson Warren Kagarise said.

Supporters and members of the group lobbied for the council to change its tune, speaking in public comment at Monday’s regular meeting.

“Additional funding will enable us to be a more successful advocate for Issaquah residents,” Friends board member Brad Book said. “This is an opportunity for the city of Issaquah to extend its hand of financial support toward a better partnership and help unify the interests of our community with state park objectives.”

Richard Benson, the area manager of Lake Sammamish State Park, said in less than two years the Friends had supported the park through cleanup campaigns, the Christmas light boat parade, salmon viewing and written support for a play structure.

“An executive director would really enhance the impact they could have,” Benson said.

Kagarise confirmed Wednesday the council had reopened discussion on funding the Friends and had decided to grant their full $25,000 request. He added the endowments will only be final once the council passes the city’s 2015 budget.