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Osceola County Historical Society Inc

EIN 59-2713072 · Kissimmee, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE OSCEOLA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS TO COLLECT, PRESERVE AND SHARE THE COUNTY'S HISTORY AND PROMOTING THE AREA'S CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$821,431
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
9.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 34%
Employees
13
Volunteers
55
Highest pay
$66,903, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 43% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 75% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 16 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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 September 30, 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. $295,988 spent. STAFF AND PRESENTATION OF TWO MUSEUMS, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WHERE A) THE EVOLUTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE REGION AND B) A DAY IN THE LIFE DURING THE EARLY 1900'S IN RURAL FLORIDA, CAN BE EXPLORED. EXPOSURE TO THE LIFE AND TIMES IN EARLY FLORIDA EDUCATES YOUTH ABOUT A LIFE BEFORE AIR CONDITIONING AND VIDEO GAMES. ADULTS ENJOY LEARNING ABOUT THE CHALLENGES FACED BY FARMERS AND CATTLEMEN TRYING TO BUILD AN ECONOMY AMID THE SWAMPS AND WITH A FREE RANGE LIFESTYLE.
  2. $118,395 spent. OVERALL PROGRAMMING TO BRING THE COMMUNITY INTO OSCEOLA HISTORY'S SPHERE OF REPRESENTATION OF COUNTY'S PAST WHICH IMPACTS THE PRESENT AND FUTURE. SHARING EVENTS AND EXHIBITS FOR THE COMMUNITY WHICH HIGHLIGHT THE HISTORY OF THE REGION AND CREATE A SENSE OF PLACE FOR VISITORS. ONGOING ACTIVITIES INCLUDE HISTORICAL DEMONSTRATIONS, MARKETPLACES, SHOWS, RE-ENACTMENTS, GAMES AND MORE INTENDED TO ENGAGE VISITORS WITH THE HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE.
  3. $177,593 spent. REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH CHAPTERS, WEBSITE AND OUTREACH TO BUILD AWARENESS OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AS WELL AS TO DRAW IN THOSE PERSONS SEEKING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE OFFERINGS OF THE SOCIETY. BY EXPANDING ITS REACH, OSCEOLA HISTORY HOPES TO SHARE THE SENSE OF PLACE DEMONSTRATED ON SITE WITH THE LARGER AUDIENCE VIA VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING, SOCIAL MEDIA AND HISTORICAL LOCATIONS BEYOND THE PIONEER VILLAGE AND WELCOME CENTER/HISTORY MUSEUM.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 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 January 1990.

    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.

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