OCPHS is a 501(c3) non-profit organization. We are fully self supporting through donations and volunteer support through our members, income from the research library, tours, and our gift shop.
Like most non-profits, our financial structure is divided into components – unrestricted funds, restricted funds, and the endowment fund.
Unrestricted funds are funds we use to operate the Society because they are not restricted to a specific purpose. In general terms, this is our general operating fund. It covers our payroll, insurances, utilities and office expense. It also covers a large portion of the costs related to events and fundraising.
Restricted funds are dedicated to a specific purpose. For example, we have a fund dedicated to capital improvements. Funds from CI cannot be used for any other purpose.
The endowment fund are funds donated to the society for its ongoing support, usually legacies donated to the society. This is invested, and we use the interest revenue to fund part of the general operating fund (or, if the legacy requires it, specific restricted uses).
A major factor in this support are our annual events: the Summer Ice Cream Social, our annual Fall Auction, and the winter Victorian Open House. Through these events, we fund part of our general operating fund.
Our Annual Giving Campaign and Giving Tuesdays campaigns fund not only part of the general operating fund, but replenish our restricted funds as well.
Annual Yearbook
You can download a copy of our 2017 Annual Yearbook here. The yearbook documents our progress through the year and provides our members with our financial results.
Tax Returns
Non-profit organizations file an IRS Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. These documents are open to public inspection, and you can read them here:
Bylaws
The Society operates from a set of bylaws, created and amended from time to time. You can read them here.