Accountability
Financials & Governance
The Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation is a public charity, and the money that funds this museum comes from the people who visit it, join it, and give to it. This page is where we show our work.
Our federal returns, our governing documents, and the people responsible for them are presented here as they become available for publication.
Last updated: September 20, 2026
Our organization
Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation, Inc. is a Florida nonprofit corporation, incorporated in 2013 and recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation operates the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center at Mile Marker 82 in Islamorada.
The Foundation's fiscal year is now the calendar year, January 1 through December 31. Earlier fiscal years ended June 30.
- Legal name
- Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation, Inc.
- Federal EIN
- 46-1936911
- IRS tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3) public charity, recognized January 2014
- Florida charitable registration
- CH38469
- Florida corporation number
- N13000001997
- Fiscal year
- Calendar year (January 1 – December 31), adopted 2026; prior years ended June 30
- Mailing address
- PO Box 1124, Islamorada, FL 33036
- Museum address
- 82100 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036
Contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Membership is a benefits purchase rather than a charitable contribution, and is not tax-deductible.
Financial summary
The figures below are taken directly from the Foundation’s filed IRS Form 990 for each fiscal year. We encourage readers to review the complete returns through the independent sources linked below.
| Fiscal year ended June 30 | Total revenue | Contributions & grants | Program service revenue | Total expenses | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $905,412 | $759,365 | $80,834 | $548,087 | $486,122 |
| 2024 | $566,543 | $217,365 | $90,398 | $615,392 | $129,296 |
| 2023 | $475,636 | $190,931 | $244,392 | $580,944 | $178,145 |
| 2022 | $567,038 | $212,024 | $199,394 | $544,966 | $654,194 |
| 2021 | $428,625 | $183,095 | $150,573 | $430,506 | $571,939 |
Source: IRS Form 990 as filed. Fiscal year 2025 return filed May 13, 2026.
A note on our finances
The Foundation’s revenue comes from three sources: admissions and program fees, memberships, and charitable contributions.
In the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, contributions and grants accounted for the large majority of our revenue, and earned revenue from admissions and programs accounted for a considerably smaller share than it did before 2020.
That shift is the central financial fact about this organization, and we would rather state it than have you find it. Program service revenue was $399,667 in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. In the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025 it was $80,834. Rebuilding earned revenue — visitors through the door, school groups, and paid programs — is the Foundation’s primary financial objective, and it is why memberships and gifts matter as much as they currently do.
Source: IRS Form 990 for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2019 and June 30, 2025.
Because contributions and grants carry so much of the budget, grant funding deserves its own accounting. See how grant support is used and stewarded.
Documents
Foundation filings from 2014 forward are available at no charge through ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Foundation-hosted PDF links will be added only when verified files are supplied.
Board of directors
The Foundation is governed by a working board of volunteer directors. Directors receive no compensation. Beyond governance, board members contribute their time across every facet of the Center's operation and have personally contributed more than $500,000 in capital to the Foundation over the last five years.
Current directors: Richard Russell (Chairman), Bob Lodge (Vice Chairman), Erin Muir (Secretary), Scott Naz (Treasurer), Mary Beth Harris, Whitney Trentine, Dr M.P. Crosby, Judy Lane, Claudia Stober, Kate DeLoach, Joy Boyd, and Jason Richards.
Staff leadership
Day-to-day operations are led by the Foundation's staff team under the direction of the volunteer Board of Directors. The current staff roster will be published as roles are confirmed.
Governance policies
The Board of Directors adopted the following written policies at its October 1 and October 19, 2026 meetings. Each took effect upon adoption. Copies are available from the Foundation on request.
Mission, Vision, and Strategic Pillars
Adopted October 1, 2026
Gift Acceptance Policy
Adopted October 1, 2026
Naming and Recognition Policy
Adopted October 1, 2026
Heritage Share Program (The Keys Heritage Ledger)
Adopted October 1, 2026
Annual Giving Levels
Adopted October 1, 2026
Business Partnership Program
Adopted October 1, 2026
Accountability and Transparency Remediation Plan
Adopted October 19, 2026
Records Retention and Document Destruction Policy
Adopted October 19, 2026
Conflict of Interest Policy, with Annual Disclosure Statement
Adopted October 19, 2026
Whistleblower Policy
Adopted October 19, 2026
Functional Expense Allocation Methodology
Adopted October 19, 2026
Benefit Valuation Policy
Adopted October 19, 2026
Membership Brochure and Registration Form
Adopted October 19, 2026
Report a concern
Under our Whistleblower Policy, directors, staff, volunteers, contractors, donors, and members of the public may raise concerns about questionable accounting, fraud, or violations of law without fear of retaliation. Reports may be made in writing, including anonymously by letter, to the Board Chair or through the Foundation's general contact below.
Independent verification
We would rather you check us than trust us. The Foundation’s filings and registration status are public.
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search
Confirms our 501(c)(3) status. Search by EIN 46-1936911.
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
Provides our Form 990 filings from 2014 forward.
- FDACS Check-A-Charity
Confirms our Florida charitable solicitation registration and reported financial information.
- Florida Division of Corporations
Confirms our Florida corporate status under document number N13000001997.
Questions
Questions about the Foundation's finances or governance are welcome and should be directed to the Foundation's general contact, which reaches the staff team and Board.
Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation, Inc.PO Box 1124, Islamorada, FL 33036
(305) 922-2237 · info@keysdiscovery.com
Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN 46-1936911.
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE, 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352), OR AT WWW.FDACS.GOV. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION #CH38469.