Opportunity 1888 Foundation

The Opportunity 1888 Foundation is a private, non-profit organization based in Jefferson County, Missouri. It is incorporated as a Missouri Nonprofit Corporation and designated as a Federal 501(c)(3) corporation. The foundation was established by descendants of Harrison School alumni, with a mission to inspire and empower people to value and preserve their historical journey[1].

History and Background

The foundation's name is derived from the 1888 school tax levy in Tipton, Missouri, which provided the necessary public funds to construct Harrison School. This school was originally built to serve as a separate educational facility for African American children in the area[2].

Objectives

The foundation has several key objectives:

• Preservation of Historic Assets: To restore, rehabilitate, preserve, and maintain the physical asset of the Harrison School, which was constructed in 1890 for the primary education of African American children[1][3].
• Promotion of African American History: To preserve the history, landmarks, and presence of the Central Missouri African American community[1].
• Cultural and Civic Resource: To serve as an educational, cultural, and civic resource to promote Tipton's African American history and its broader societal implications[1].
• Inclusive Communication: To facilitate authentic communication of a largely unrecognized shared history and to promote a more inclusive society[1][4].

Services and Programs

Opportunity 1888 offers various services, including:

• Educational Forums: Developing and presenting in-person educational forums focused on African American history[1].
• Historical Materials and Consultation: Providing access to African American historical materials and offering consultation services[1].
• Guided Tours: Conducting guided tours of The James Shipley Museum of African American History[1].
• Research Materials: Making local historical and genealogy research materials available[1].
• Virtual Museum Services: Offering virtual museum services via the internet[1].
• Preservation Efforts: Advancing the preservation of African American history and genealogical research[1].

Leadership

The foundation is led by a Board of Directors that includes notable figures such as Donald A. Shipley, who serves as President and CEO. Mr. Shipley is a retired Global Human Resources Executive with extensive educational credentials and community involvement[1]. Other key members include Timothy L. Shipley, who serves as the Homeland Representative, and Laura Smith, DVM, who acts as the foundation's Historian and Genealogist[1].

Grants and Activities

In recent years, the Opportunity 1888 Foundation has engaged in grant activities, contributing to various initiatives in line with its mission[5]. However, specific details about these grants and their recipients are limited in publicly available information.