Contact Information
Address
4155 W. Vine Street
Kissimmee, FL 34741
Phone
(407) 396-8644 5
Fax
(866) 929-5070
Mission
Mission
The Osceola County Historical Society collects and preserves the county's history, and provides educational, research and recreational opportunities to foster an understanding and enjoyment of the area's cultural and natural heritage through museum displays, demonstrations, interpretive programs, and special events for residents and visitors.
Leadership
CEO/Executive Director
Donnita Dampier
Board Chair
President Stacy McCland
Board Chair Company Affiliation
Overstreet, Miles, Cumbie and Finkenbinder Law Firm
History
IRS Ruling Year
1990
Financial Summary
Revenue vs Expense Bar Graph
Projected Revenue
$1,093,900.00
Projected Expenses
$1,093,900.00
Statements
Mission
The Osceola County Historical Society collects and preserves the county's history, and provides educational, research and recreational opportunities to foster an understanding and enjoyment of the area's cultural and natural heritage through museum displays, demonstrations, interpretive programs, and special events for residents and visitors.
Impact
Accomplishments: The Osceola County Historical Society opened the Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek in November 2014, and the grand opening coincided with their annual Pioneer Day celebration, with nearly 3000 residents and visitors in attendance. The organization also received two grants from the State Division of Cultural Affairs for $580,000 to continue the expansion of the Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek. Attendance is up at both the Pioneer Village and Osceola County Welcome Center and History Museum. The Narcoossee Chapter of the OCHS has gained momentum, having increased membership, as well as creating several fundraising activities in order to restore the 1886 schoolhouse. The chapter received a 2015-2016 grant from the State Division of Cultural Affairs for $26,500 to restore the schoolhouse. They also set up a one day Arts, Crafts and Farmers Market Day. Our annual fundraiser, Dine with the Departed was expanded, with greater seating capacity, raising the guest count to 200.
Goals: The top goal for the organization in the 2017-2018 fiscal year will be to complete the addition of a screened pavilion for programming at the Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek, as well as construct an additional replica 1800s structure to enhance programming at that facility. The replica structure will be a general store. The organization has increased its marketing efforts to attract more visitors, and is emphasizing community relevance with its outreach efforts. The organization will also diversify the programming offered this year, and is working to provide additional services to the Osceola County School District - specifically, the organization hopes to design and provide services to Osceola County literacy coaches.
Independent Research has been conducted on this organization's theory of change or program effectiveness?
Under Development
Needs
1. The organization is in need of volunteers to assist with programming and operations at the Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek, the Osceola County Welcome Center and History Museum, and the Spence Pavilion and Research Center. These volunteer needs include tour guides, gardeners, and living history re-enactors.
2. The organization needs annual sponsors (at $5,000 or $10,000) for the Welcome Center and History Museum, as well as the Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek. These annual sponsorships assist with programming and operations at these locations.
3. The organization is looking to increase its membership, and needs members from the $50 individual level to the $1,000 corporate level.
4. The organization needs books for the literacy program it hopes to offer to Osceola County School District literacy coaches. The organization staff estimates that the financial need to cover the cost for these books will be $2,500.00
5. The organization needs volunteers to assist with the oversight of its archives and artifact storage facility. This location is in need of reorganization following the Osceola County Historical Society's recent expansion and relocation.
Background
Charles & Twylah Hartley of St. Cloud and Alma Heatherington of Kissimmee chartered the Osceola County Historical Society, October 29, 1949. Beginning in the 1960's the society displayed artifacts and other historical items in a wing of the Osceola Center for the Arts building, located on Hwy 192 in Kissimmee. In 1991, The Osceola County Historical Society moved its collections to the former Spence Family property, who donated the 4 acres of land and their residence, located on Bass Road in Kissimmee. This move allowed for the Pioneer Village to be situated on the property, along with an indoor Museum. The Spence House donated with the property serves as OCHS's office and research facility.
CEO Statement
The Osceola County Historical Society (OCHS) is an ever-evolving organization lead by an enthusiastic team of Board Members, Staff, and Volunteers. Our mission is to preserve the unique history of Osceola County and to share that history in many diverse and engaging ways with the residents and visitors of our county. OCHS is the only organization whose sole mission is to preserve and protect our county’s past and our team takes that responsibility to heart. We take great pride in the organization's accomplishments and look forward to the challenges ahead.
NTEE Information
Primary Organization Type
Arts,Culture & Humanities
Primary Organization SubType
Museums
Secondary Organization Type
Arts,Culture & Humanities
Tertiary Organization Type
Arts,Culture & Humanities
Tertiary Organization SubType
Arts Education
Areas Served
The geographic area served is primarily Osceola County residents, ranging from children to seniors, including several cities and towns throughout the county. OCHS also serves geographic areas from around the country, even around the world, by targeting the large tourist population who visit the Orlando/Kissimmee area every year.
Board Chair
Board Chair
President Stacy McCland
Company Affiliation
Overstreet, Miles, Cumbie and Finkenbinder Law Firm
Term
Oct 2016 to Sept 2017
Board Co-Chair
Board Co-Chair
Board
*This individual has been awarded a Certificate in Orientation to Board Service by the Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership at Rollins College ebi.rollins.edu,
Board Term Lengths
3
Board Term Limits
0
Board Ethnicity
Asian American/Pacific Islander
0
Caucasian
15
Hispanic/Latino
1
Native American/American Indian
0
Other
0
Other (if specified)
0
Board Demographics - Gender
Male
5
Not Specified
0
Policies
Written Board Selection Criteria
No
Written Conflict of Interest Policy
No
Percentage of Monetary Contributions
100%
Percentage of In-Kind Contributions
75%
Constituency Includes Client Representation
No
CEO/Executive Director
CEO/Executive Director
Donnita Dampier
Term Start
Dec 2006
Email
donnita@osceolahistory.org
Experience
Donnita received her BA from the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale in 1996. Prior to coming to the Osceola County Historical Society, she owned her own business, Dampier Designs in Kissimmee for 3 years. She has served as President of the Kissimmee Main Street Program and now sits on the Rotary Club of Kissimmee Board and Visit Florida Visitor Services Committee. She is also a member of the Down Town Area Council in Osceola County. She resides in Intercession City with her husband and their twelve year old son.
CEO Salary Range
$50,001 - $75,000
Staff
Number of Full Time Staff
5
Number of Part Time Staff
6
Number of Volunteers
25
Number of Contract Staff
1
Staff Retention Rate
80%
Plans
Organization has Fundraising Plan?
Yes
Organization has Strategic Plan?
No
Years Strategic Plan Considers
2
Date Strategic Plan Adopted
Jan 2014
Management Succession Plan
No
Organization Policies And Procedures
Yes
Policies
Management Reports to Board?
Yes
CEO Formal Evaluation and Frequency
Yes Annually
Senior Management Formal Evaluation and Frequency
Yes Annually
Non Management Formal Evaluation and Frequency
Yes Annually
Nondiscrimination Policy
No
Directors and Officers Insurance Policy
Yes
Other
Collaborations
OCHS currently collaborates with Osceola County Government, City of Kissimmee, UF Extension Services, Osceola County Drug Court Program, Transition House, Kissimmee/Osceola Chamber of Commerce, Experience Kissimmee, Visit Orlando, Visit Florida, Wild Florida and Paddling Center at Shingle Creek.
State Registration
Yes
State Charitable Solicitations Permit
Yes
State Charitable Solicitations Permit Expiration Month
Aug
State Charitable Solicitations Permit Expiration Year
2017
Fiscal Year
Fiscal Year Start
Oct 01, 2016
Fiscal Year End
Sept 30, 2017
Financials
Projected Revenue
$1,093,900.00
Projected Expenses
$1,093,900.00
Spending Policy
N/A
Documents
IRS Letter of Determination
Solvency
Short Term Solvency
Capital Campaign
Currently in a Capital Campaign?
Anticipated In 3 Years
Capital Campaign Anticipated in Next 5 Years?
Yes
Comments
CEO Comments
Foundation Comments
Financial figures taken from IRS form 990 or 990EZ. 990 and audit reconcile.
Contributions from foundations and corporations (and government for 2010) are included in total for individuals, as they were not separated in the 990 or audit.
Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
Notes
Programs listed here are those that are only activated during a disaster. Some organizations have unified budgeting and do not budget by program. Because of this, some budget fields may be blank or represent an approximation. Organization describes previous experience during the immediate response, recovery or rebuilding phases following a disaster.
Professional Advisors
