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The Woodstock Agricultural Society

EIN 06-0923729 · S Woodstock, CT

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceWeak43 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO EDUCATE AND PROMOTE AGRICULTURE TO THE COMMUNITY BY HOLDING EXHIBITIONS AND DEMONSTRATIONS OF FARM ANIMALS, HOME BAKED GOODS, SEWING, CANNING, FLOWERS & VEGETABLES.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
19 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
185
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$40,000, director & general manager

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    13 of 26 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $1.6 million spent. THE WOODSTOCK AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY INC. WAS FOUNDED IN 1859 TO EDUCATE, PROMOTE, PRESERVE AND PERPETUATE THE LOCAL AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY, RURAL HERITAGE AND THE HOME ARTS. THIS TRADITION CONTINUES TODAY THROUGH A 4 DAY AGRICULTURAL COUNTRY FAIR PRESENTED ON LABOR DAY WEEKEND. THE BARS, EXHIBITION HALLS, AND FAIRGROUNDS ARE FILLED WITH CATTLE, POULTRY, SHEEP, FRUITS AND VEGETABLES INCLUDING GIANT PUMPKINS. ALSO DISPLAYED ARE PHOTOGRAPHY, FINE ARTS AND CRAFTS, CLASSIC TRUCKS, TRACTORS AND EARLY PERIOD DISPLAYS IN THE BRUNN BARN MUSEUM. THE WOODSTOCK FAIR IS ONE OF THE LARGEST FAIRS IN NEW ENGLAND WITH OVER 1000 PARTICIPANTS AND EXHIBITORS. THE SOCIETY IS DEDICATED TO WORKING WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND HAS HOSTED THE ANNUAL "CELEBRATING AGRICULTURE" EVENT ON THE FAIRGROUNDS SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2001. EACH YEAR THE SOCIETY AWARDS ELEVEN SCHOLARSHIPS OF $1250 EACH TO LOCAL STUDENTS. THE FAIRGROUNDS ARE USED IN THE OFF SEASON FOR SEVERAL EVENTS INCLUDING FUNDRAISING FOR OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL AS HORSE SHOW EVENTS ON THE LOWER GROUNDS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1985.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.