Fostoria Area Historical Society 501(c)3 Non-Profit – Public Financial Checkup

Outstanding FOIA Requests

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Investigation Triggered by Denial of Public Information and Deflection

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Donations Asked to be Sent to Board Member

2022 Donations Solicited Under Unregistered Corporation With State of Ohio.

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Roadmap:

1. Fostoria Resident denied public information by FAHS.

2. FAHS deflected by directing FOIA request to random legal council.

3. Fostoria Free Press’ FOIA Request denied by Vice President.

4. FAHS Ohio business registration status cancelled on 11.8.2021

5. Last IRS 990 Filing was in 2021.

6. End of year 2021 Net Assets: $272K

7. In 2022 FAHS held events, fund raisers and solicited donations while operating as an unregistered business (Ohio). FAHS did not file a 2022 tax return aka IRS 990.

10. In 2020 a fundraiser was held whereas checks were asked to be sent directly to a board member.

11. Does the City of Fostoria have any oversight of this organization? Are they entrusted with artifacts? What is the artifact policy? Would there ever be an instance were Artifacts are sold?

12. Seneca County transferred a land property to FAHS in 2023.

Introduction to the Investigation

We have been investigating the Fostoria Area Historical Society (FAHS) over the last two weeks and am baffled by what we have learned. First and foremost, the organization currently does not exist according to the State of Ohio. The Fostoria Area Historical Society’s Ohio business registration status expired on 11/8/2021.

At the end of 2021 the organization declared $272K in net assets on IRS form 990. This is the last financial record made available to the public.

Currently FAHS is operating as an unregistered corporation in the eyes of the State of Ohio. In addition, there is ZERO oversight of the organization by the City of Fostoria.

In 2022 FAHS paid $0 in property taxes to Seneca County for 123 N. Main St. Fostoria, OH. Fostoria Area Historical Society Ohio business registration did not exist in ’22.

Unpaid 2022 Seneca County Property Taxes

FAHS was not a registered non-profit with Ohio Secretary of State. Property was acquired for “tax exempt”.

Author is still writing… … .. .. . … ..
Josh James
Investigative Journalist

Probable Lawsuit in Madamus at Ohio Supreme Court

More info coming soon.