Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society

A BBB Accredited charity since 05/06/2009.

This BBB Accredited charity meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

BBB issues Reliability Reports on all organizations, whether or not they are BBB accredited. If an organization is a BBB Accredited Charity, it is stated in this report.

Name:	Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society
Phone:	(260) 426-2882
Fax:	(260) 424-4419
Address:	302 E Berry St
	Fort Wayne, IN 46802-2708
Website:	www.fwhistorycenter.com
Report Creation Date:	June 10, 2008
Report Expiration Date:	June 15, 2010
Original Business Start Date:	January 1921
Principal:	Mr. Todd M. Pelfrey, Executive Director
Customer Contact:	Mr. Todd M. Pelfrey, Executive Director - (260) 426-2882
Incorporated:	December 1956, IN
Employees:	6 part time/4 Full Time.
Type of Business:	Charity - Local, Museums
BBB Accreditation:	This organization is a BBB Accredited charity.

Additional DBA Names

The History Center

Stated Purpose

The mission of the Allen County Fort Wayne Historical Society is to serve present and future generations by collecting, preserving, and sharing historical artifacts, documents, and images that describe people, places, and events that define Fort Wayne and Allen County history.

Evaluation Conclusions

This organization has been evaluated according to the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.This organization meets all those Standards and is a BBB accredited charity.

BBB Charity Seal Participation

Charities that meet the Standards for Charity Accountability are eligible to participate in BBB Wise Giving Alliance Charity Seal program. This seal, which can be displayed on the charity's web site and in printed materials, helps inform the public that the charity meets these standards. This organization participates in this program.

Programs

For Nearly 85 years, the Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society/dba The History Center has worked to preserve Allen County and Fort Wayne, Indiana's rich history. Since 1980, the Society has been housed in the old City Hall building. Built in 1893 by local architects, the sandstone Richardsonian structure served as the seat of city government until 1971, when it was vacated for the current City-County Building. Now known as the History Center, the building is home to the Society's offices as well as its extensive collection of archival records and diverse collection of over 22,000 artifacts.
In addition to the History Center, the Society also operates the Chief Richardville House and Fort Wayne's oldest public space, the Barr Street Market.
The Society hosts numerous special events, lectures and educational programs throughout the year including the annual Festival of Gingerbread during the Christmas holidays.

Total Program Expenses:

$495,236

Governance

Chief Executive Officer:	Mr. Todd M. Pelfrey
Chair of the Board:	Mr. Matt Elliott
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation:	Beckman Lawson, LLP
Board Size:	36
Paid Staff Size:	6 part time/4 Full Time.

Fund Raising

Method(s) Used:

Allen County Fort Wayne Historical Society raises funds through direct mail appeals, telephone appeal scripts,invitations to fund raising events, print advertisements, grant proposal, and planned giving.

Fund raising cost was 7.31% of related contributions. (Related support, which totaled $478,773, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)

Tax Status

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

Financial

According to Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society's Audited Financial Statements for the year ended June 30, 2007:


Income
	Government and foundation grants	$188,357
	Contributions	$123,636
	Arts United	$68,524
	Special events	$55,039
	Memberships	$25,745
	Admissions	$8,375
	Gift shop sales	$27,951
	Investment income	$17,165
	Investment income-beneficial interest	$3,072
	Gain on investments	$35,088
	Gain on Beneficial interest	$9,603
	Other	$15,266
	Total Income:	$577,821

Expenses			% of total Expenses	% of total Income
	Programs:	$495,236	70.00%	85.71%
	Fund Raising:	$35,013	4.95%	6.06%
	Administrative:	$160,959	22.75%	27.86%
	Other:	$16,265	2.30%	2.81%
	Total Expenses:	$707,473

Excess of Expenses over Income		$129,652
Ending Net Assets:		$4,319,697

* Excess for the year indicates the portion of income remaining after expenses.

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. Donors must decide for themselves the significance of any variation from BBB Standards, taking into account the relative importance of the practice in question in the context of the organization's total performance.

This report reflects the results of an evaluation of informational materials provided voluntarily by the organization. The report is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgement.

This report is not to be used for fund raising or promotional purposes.

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