OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. -- A non-profit group may have to come up with $52,000 because of an Osceola County mistake. A county auditor discovered the Convention and Visitors Bureau misused money from the tourist development tax and donated tens of thousands of dollars to the charity. But state law says the money can only be used to promote tourism and the charity may have to give it back.

The Education Foundation helps Osceola County teachers shop for free school supplies that go to needy children. It also provides scholarships and programs that help students.

But for the past eight years, the Osceola County Convention and Visitors Bureau made a mistake and donated more than $80,000 dollars to the charity. . "We've treated the CVB like a corporate sponsor," said Pete Edwards, the foundation chairman. "They've given us money every year. We run our golf tournament and then we give money to students."

An Osceola County audit found $28,000 of the $80,000 went to hospitality scholarships. That is legal. But the other $52,000 went to education. That's not.

The Education Foundation says it is able to provide supplies to teachers and children because of donations. It will have a hard time repaying $52,000.

The Board of County Commissioners and the CVB could not explain the mix-up and it's not clear whether the foundation will have to pay back the funds. But Edwards says he will ask his board to give back the money.

"We'll find a way to make ends meet without it," he said. "Maybe a few programs take a hit. We'll have to tighten our belts a little bit."

The county says it has stopped giving money to the foundation. The CVB director says all expenditures will be reviewed more carefully in the future.