Established in 1973 as a private non-profit organization, FHC is the state affiliate of the National Endoment for the Humanities. FHC uses the disciplines of the humanities to develop public programs and resources that explore history, literary and artistic traditions, cultural values and ethics.

FHC provides grants for public humanities programs and resources. It also creates and coordinates workshops for K-12 teachers, conducts cultural heritage tours, operates a humanities speakers bureau, and partners with libraries to provide family literacy programs. FHCs award-winning magazine, FORUM, which is circulated throughout the state, provides historic perspective and cultural insight into a wide-range of Florida topics.