Contingent on funding, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce may partner with a statewide organization to develop and coordinate a financial assistance program for qualifying municipalities having a population of less than five thousand (5,000) according to the latest Federal Decennial Census to employ a part-time city manager or a part-time city planner pursuant to Section 8-116 of Title 11 of the Oklahoma Statutes. The statewide organization shall demonstrate to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce that it is exempt from taxation under federal law and designated pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C., Section 170(a) and that it has represented municipalities, had statutory functions and conducted training programs for municipalities for at least fifteen (15) years prior to November 1, 2005. It shall further demonstrate that its continuous official purpose is to promote the general welfare of cities and towns, to foster or conduct schools, short courses and other training sessions, to provide technical assistance and consultative services and other aids for the improvement and increased efficiency of city and town government, and to serve as the representative of cities and towns in carrying out the duties and prerogatives conferred on it by state law.