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 and is a Seal Holder.

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:	May 17, 2010
Report Expiration Date:	June 1, 2012
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:	5 Full Time. 8 Part 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. The 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 23,000 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:

$372,631

Governance

Chief Executive Officer:	Mr. Todd M. Pelfrey
Chair of the Board:	Vincent Backs
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation:	Beers Mallers Backs & Salin
Board Size:	36
Paid Staff Size:	5 Full Time. 8 Part 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, scripts of television or radio appeals, grant proposal, and planned giving and Internet appeals.

Fund raising cost was 11% of related contributions. (Related support, which totaled $633,343, 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 IRS Form 990 for the year ended June 30, 2009:


Income
	Contribution and grants	$576,253
	Program service Revenue	$11,989
	Investment income	$11,877
	Other revenue	$29,598
	Total Income:	$629,717

Expenses			% of total Expenses	% of total Income
	Programs:	$372,631	66.29%	59.17%
	Fund Raising:	$17,517	3.12%	2.78%
	Administrative:	$171,943	30.59%	27.30%
	Other:	$0	0.00%	0.00%
	Total Expenses:	$562,091

Excess of Income over Expenses		$67,626
Ending Net Assets:		$5,635,449

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

Industry Tips

Allowing a Charity to Use Your Name
Contributing with Confidence
Guidelines for Business Giving
Tips on Contributing Used Cars to Charity
Tips on Volunteering

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.

| More

Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society