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Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park Inc

EIN 27-2308109 · Hilton Head, SC

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE HISTORIC MITCHELVILLE FREEDOM PARK (HMFP) IS A 501(C)3 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO PRESERVE, PROMOTE AND HONOR HISTORIC MITCHELVILLE, THE FIRST TOWN OF SELF-GOVERNING FORMERLY ENSLAVED PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES. THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN THAT BUILT THIS COMMUNITY PLANTED STRONG AND ENDURING FAMILIAL ROOTS FOR GENERATIONS OF FUTURE AFRICAN AMERICANS.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
-1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 67%
Employees
4
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$117,221, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 69% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $159,107 spent. ANNUAL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION JUNETEENTH IS THE OLDEST KNOWN CELEBRATION TO RECOGNIZE THE END OF SLAVERY. IT WAS ON JUNE 19, 1865, WHEN UNION OFFICER MAJOR GENERAL GORDON GRANGER ARRIVED AT GALVESTON, TEXAS WITH NEWS THAT THE WAR HAD ENDED AND ALL SLAVES WERE NOW FREE. HMFP HOSTS ITS ANNUAL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION IN HISTORIC MITCHELVILLE FREEDOM PARK. THIS PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS THE PARK AND FEATURES STAGE PERFORMANCES AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMING THAT GIVES VISITORS A UNIQUE LOOK AT HISTORIC MITCHELVILLE.
  2. $7,990 spent. GRIOT'S CORNERGRIOT'S CORNER IS A PROGRAM TAILORED FOR PRE-K -THROUGH 3RD GRADE THAT USES STORYTELLERS AND CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES TO HIGHLIGHT FREEDOM, ACCEPTANCE, MULTICULTURALISM AND CITIZENSHIP. THE "GRIOT" IS A WEST AFRICAN STORYTELLER, HISTORIAN AND/OR MUSICIAN. THE GRIOT'S ROLE WAS TO PRESERVE THE GENEALOGIES AND ORAL TRADITIONS OF THE RESPECTIVE TRIBE. GRIOT'S CORNER USES THE SPIRIT OF STORYTELLING TO PROMOTE LITERACY AND TO HELP YOUNG STUDENTS BUILD STRONG CHARACTER TRAITS. THIS SERIES IS ESPECIALLY DESIGNED TO ENGAGE YOUNG LEARNERS WITH INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES THAT INCLUDE READING, CREATIVE DRAMATICS, ART AND MUSIC. THE PROGRAM ADDRESSES EDUCATIONAL DISPARITIES IN THE REGION AND SEEKS TO EMPOWER CHILDREN BY CONNECTING THEM TO THEIR CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ENCOURAGING LIFELONG LEARNING.
  3. $769,748 spent. THE PROJECTTHE ORGANIZAITON IS ENGAGEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MULTIPLE FACILILITES AND SITE IMPROVEMENTS TO HISTORIC MITCHELVILLE FREEDOM PARK. THE LOCATION OF THE PARK IS LAND OWNED BY THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD AND THE ORGANIZATION HAS AN ARRNAGEMENT WITH THE TOWN TO CONSTRUCTION FACILITIES ON THE PARK LAND. EACH YEAR ANY VALUE ASSOCIATED WITH THE COST TO CONSTRUCT THE FACILITIES ARE NONCASH DONATIONS TO THE TOWN BECAUSE THE TOWN OWNS THE LAND AND ANY FACILITIES CONSTRUCTED ON THE LAND.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 2010.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.