Governance
Chapter 1004.28, F.S. provides for universities to create a direct support organization ("DSO") where an
entity is to be organized and operated exclusively to receive, hold, invest and administer property and to make
expenditures to or for the benefit of a state university. In addition, Chapter 267.1736 F.S. directs UF to authorize
a direct support organization to assist the university in carrying out its dual historic preservation and historic
preservation education purposes and responsibilities for the City of St. Augustine, St. Johns County, and the state
under Chapter 267.1735 F.S. To this end, the University of Florida Historic St. Augustine, Inc. (UFHSA) has been
created.
The UFHSA is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, literary and scientific purposes within
the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provisions of any future
United States Internal Revenue Law.
In particular, the UFHSA is organized to ensure the long-term preservation and interpretation of state-owned historic
properties in St. Augustine through historic preservation initiatives and education programs
of the University of Florida that will be responsive to the state's needs for professionals in historic preservation,
archaeology, cultural resources management, cultural tourism, history, and museum administration and will help meet needs of
St. Augustine and the state through educational internships and practicums. In furtherance of these goals, the UFHSA
is organized:
- To preserve, restore, reproduce, maintain, operate and exhibit ancient or historical landmarks, locations, sites,
monuments, buildings, remains or other property of historic or antiquarian interest, value, beauty, scientific
interest, recreational utility, or other unusual features, within the City of St. Augustine, or surrounding areas,
and to gather and disseminate information in connection therewith;
- To assist, promote, provide for, establish, maintain or operate museums or other places for exhibits and for the
use of such objects, books and documents; and also to collect and preserve artifacts, relics, books, documents
and exhibits of historical, educational, scientific, or other interests to scholars, students and other interested
persons;
- To promote research and education and further useful knowledge in the realm of science, history, literature, music
and art; and in connection therewith, to research, prepare, publish and procure, for the use and benefit of the
general public, books, reports, articles, pamphlets, brochures, documents, maps, photographs, films or other video
media, sound recordings, and other products of similar nature in furtherance of the protection and preservation of
and the dissemination of information about historic sites and properties, as well as persons, places, events,
conditions, objects, patterns, behaviors, records and times pertaining to Florida history;
- To the extent permitted by law, to solicit, raise, accept and receive grants, gifts and bequests of money or property
from the federal government, state government, foundations, business entities and individuals and to hold or dispose
of the same in accordance with the instructions of any donors thereof, and to invest and reinvest the same, and to
employ the income from such investments as well as the principal in furtherance and for the achievement of its
corporate purposes;
- To acquire, hold, manage, administer, operate, pledge, sell, rent, lease, or in any manner, dispose of, deal or
trade in property of any kind, class and description wherever located, including, without limitation, real estate,
goods, merchandise and tangible and intangible property.