The dissolution of the OnePulse Foundation, established with the aim of creating a permanent memorial at the site of the tragic Pulse nightclub shooting, has raised significant concerns about the fate of millions in public investment allocated for the project. The Pulse nightclub shooting, which occurred on Latin Night, June 12, 2016, remains the deadliest attack on LGBTQ+ individuals in U.S. history, claiming the lives of 49 people, primarily Latinos and members of the queer community.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, who served as sheriff at the time of the 2016 shooting, addressed the matter, shedding light on the public investment involved. In 2018, Orange County committed $10 million to the OnePulse Foundation for the purpose of designing a museum to commemorate the tragedy. Additionally, the state of Florida pledged $500,000 for construction costs, of which $400,000 has already been disbursed. This meant that public funds constituted the majority of the $20 million raised by the foundation throughout its existence.
Change in Plans and Allocation
In October, the OnePulse Foundation made a surprising announcement that it would not proceed with its plans for a museum. Last week, the foundation’s board of trustees voted to dissolve the organization entirely. At that point, Orange County officials disclosed that the foundation had already expended more than $6.5 million in county funds for land acquisition and museum design.
George Kalogridis, vice chair of the foundation, acknowledged the initial enthusiasm for the memorial project following the shooting. He noted the extensive efforts made to learn from similar tragedies in different cities, with much of the groundwork carried out by Pulse nightclub owner Barbara Poma, who also served as the founding executive director of the foundation. However, this year saw a deterioration in Poma’s relationship with the foundation, leading to her departure.
Kalogridis also cited a decline in corporate and individual support for the foundation over time, particularly during the pandemic when securing financial backing became increasingly challenging. Simultaneously, the estimated project costs continued to rise.
Due Diligence and Financial Audit
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings emphasized the collaborative community effort that had gone into the memorial project. However, he stressed the importance of conducting due diligence regarding public expenditure, given the contractual relationship between the county and the foundation. With the foundation’s dissolution underway, contractual obligations must be addressed.
Orange County Comptroller Phil Diamond has called for the OnePulse Foundation to provide financial documents for a thorough audit. Furthermore, the county has the option to place a lien on the organization’s properties, which include significant surrounding land earmarked for the museum.
In a separate development, the City of Orlando recently authorized a $2 million offer to purchase the site of the Pulse nightclub itself, underscoring the ongoing commitment to memorializing the victims and their families in the wake of this tragic event.
