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For Immediate Release
Ohio Historical Society Faces Budget Shortfall Next Fiscal Year
Leadership Calls for Strategic Solutions, Increased Support from Ohioans
(Columbus, OH March 13, 2008) - The Ohio Historical Society announced today that it expects to face a budget shortfall in the next fiscal year that begins July 1 as a result of the soft Ohio economy and declining state budget support. William K. Laidlaw, Jr., the Society's executive director and CEO, said the budget shortfall could be as much as $2 million and hopes that through careful stewardship of resources and the support of Ohio's history and preservation advocates, the Society can meet the challenge of providing statewide programs and services to the public.
"Although the Ohio Historical Society is facing a significant budget deficit in the upcoming fiscal year, our Board of Trustees is committed to finding strategic solutions that strengthen the organization’s core mission in order to serve the maximum number of people possible," Laidlaw said. "I encourage all Ohioans to help the Society through increased donations, increased visitation to its historic sites and through OHS membership."
According to Laidlaw, the anticipated $2 million budget deficit was caused by increased expenses and falling revenues, including a recently announced 2-percent reduction in the organization’s annual $13.8 million state allocation for the 2008 and 2009 fiscal years. While the cut in state funding from the Ohio Office of Budget and Management increases the OHS budget deficit, it is certainly not as much as it could have been in light of the state’s current financial crisis, he said.
"The leadership of the Ohio Historical Society realizes the enormity of the state’s budget crisis and is grateful that state officials heard our message that more significant cuts would seriously jeopardize history and preservation services the Society provides to the citizens of Ohio." Laidlaw said. "They recognize that the Ohio Historical Society is a private nonprofit organization that fulfills many mandated state functions."
Established in 1885, the Ohio Historical Society serves as the state’s partner in preserving and interpreting Ohio’s history, archaeology and natural history. It provides services in nearly every community in the state. Among its many programs, the Society:
- Administers 59 historic sites and museums-the largest statewide network in the nation;
- Collects, preserves and interprets millions of historic documents, photographs and objects;
- Operates the state’s archives and a research library;
- Conducts historic preservation activities;
- Provides educational and collections resources online with more than 5 million visits each year to www.ohiohistory.org;
- Reaches more than 100,000 students in the state through its educational programming;
- Presents programs and events for people of all ages; and
- Provides outreach services to local historical groups throughout Ohio.
The Ohio Historical Society Board of Trustees will evaluate its options and respond with a viable budget solution within 30 to 60 days, said Richard D. Ruppert, board president. “We’ll continue to strive to be the best state historical society in the country, even though the scope of our services may have to be reduced.”
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Media contact: Kim Schuette: 614.297.2314 or kschuette@ohiohistory.org
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