Hernando Desoto Historical Society Inc
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
PRODUCTION OF COMMUNITY FESTIVAL IN CONNECTION WITH THE STAGING AND REENACTMENT OF HISTORICAL EVENTS
- Income
- $953,746
- Spending
- $928,319
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 159
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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 (1)
- $842,384 spent. THE HERNANDO DESOTO HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC. IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION OF 156 CONQUISTADORS (ACTIVE VOLUNTEER MEMBERS) WHO CELEBRATE THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF SPANISH EXPLORER HERNANDO DESOTO'S LANDING NEAR THE MOUTH OF THE MANATEE RIVER IN MAY 1539. WITH HIS 600 CONQUISTADORS, DESOTO CLAIMED POSSESSION OF LA FLORIDA ON BEHALF OF THE SPANISH CROWN AND THEN BEGAN HIS LENGTHY EXPLORATION OF WHAT IS NOW THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES. ALONG WITH ITS MEMBERSHIP, WHICH INCLUDES MANY CIVIC, GOVERNMENTAL AND BUSINESS LEADERS, THE SOCIETY SERVES IN A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY-ORIENTED ROLES. THE SOCIETY PRODUCES ONE OF THE LARGEST ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS IN MANATEE COUNTY ON AN ANNUAL BASIS INCLUDING A SEAFOOD FESTIVAL, HOMEMADE BOATING RACE, HALF-MARATHON, A MUSICAL AND FASHION SHOW, A FORMAL-DRESS BALL INCLUDING DAYTIME AND EVENING PARADES. THE SOCIETY SUPPORTS VARIOUS LOCAL CHARITIES INCLUDING LIGHTHOUSE OF MANASOTA, ADOPT-A-FAMILY, TOYS FOR TOTS, KEEP MANATEE BEAUTIFUL, THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF MANATEE COUNTY AND OTHERS. THE SOCIETY PROVIDES PUBLIC EDUCATION ON FLORIDA'S SPANISH HERITAGE THROUGH CREWE VISITS TO LOCAL SCHOOLS AND RETIREMENT HOMES. THE SOCIETY FINANCIALLY SUPPORTS A SISTER ORGANIZATION, THE COUNQUISTADOR HISTORICAL FOUNDATION, WHICH DONATES TO OTHER COMMUNITY CHARITIES, PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, FUNDS SCHOLARSHIPS AND MAINTAINS A HISTORICAL MUSEUM IN DOWNTOWN BRADENTON. THE SOCIETY'S PREMIER SERIES OF EVENTS, COLLECTIVELY CALLED THE DESOTO HERITAGE FESTIVAL, RECEIVES CONSIDERABLE MEDIA ATTENTION, AS DO THE VARIOUS EVENT SPONSORS. OUR DUES PAYING MEMBERS DONATE COUNTLESS HOURS OF THEIR TIME PREPARING FOR THE FESTIVAL; SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THEIR LOVE FOR THE COMMUNITY. THE SOCIETY IS ENTERING ITS 80TH YEAR OF PRODUCING THE DESOTO HERITAGE FESTIVAL. THE HERNANDO DESOTO HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC. IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION OF 156 CONQUISTADORS (ACTIVE VOLUNTEER MEMBERS) WHO CELEBRATE THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF SPANISH EXPLORER HERNANDO DESOTO'S LANDING NEAR THE MOUTH OF THE MANATEE RIVER IN MAY 1539. WITH HIS 600 CONQUISTADORS, DESOTO CLAIMED POSSESSION OF LA FLORIDA ON BEHALF OF THE SPANISH CROWN AND THEN BEGAN HIS LENGTHY EXPLORATION OF WHAT IS NOW THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES. ALONG WITH ITS MEMBERSHIP, WHICH INCLUDES MANY CIVIC, GOVERNMENTAL AND BUSINESS LEADERS, THE SOCIETY SERVES IN A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY-ORIENTED ROLES. THE SOCIETY PRODUCES ONE OF THE LARGEST ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS IN MANATEE COUNTY ON AN ANNUAL BASIS INCLUDING A SEAFOOD FESTIVAL, HOMEMADE BOATING RACE, HALF-MARATHON, A MUSICAL AND FASHION SHOW, A FORMAL-DRESS BALL INCLUDING DAYTIME AND EVENING PARADES. THE SOCIETY SUPPORTS VARIOUS LOCAL CHARITIES INCLUDING LIGHTHOUSE OF MANASOTA, ADOPT-A-FAMILY, TOYS FOR TOTS, KEEP MANATEE BEAUTIFUL, THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF MANATEE COUNTY AND OTHERS. THE SOCIETY PROVIDES PUBLIC EDUCATION ON FLORIDA'S SPANISH HERITAGE THROUGH CREWE VISITS TO LOCAL SCHOOLS AND RETIREMENT HOMES. THE SOCIETY FINANCIALLY SUPPORTS A SISTER ORGANIZATION, THE COUNQUISTADOR HISTORICAL FOUNDATION, WHICH DONATES TO OTHER COMMUNITY CHARITIES, PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, FUNDS SCHOLARSHIPS AND MAINTAINS A HISTORICAL MUSEUM IN DOWNTOWN BRADENTON. THE SOCIETY'S PREMIER SERIES OF EVENTS, COLLECTIVELY CALLED THE DESOTO HERITAGE FESTIVAL, RECEIVES CONSIDERABLE MEDIA ATTENTION, AS DO THE VARIOUS EVENT SPONSORS. OUR DUES PAYING MEMBERS DONATE COUNTLESS HOURS OF THEIR TIME PREPARING FOR THE FESTIVAL; SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THEIR LOVE FOR THE COMMUNITY. THE SOCIETY IS ENTERING ITS 80TH YEAR OF PRODUCING THE DESOTO HERITAGE FESTIVAL.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1965.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.