Stonington Village Improvement Association Incorporated
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To promote and assist the development of parks, playgrounds, trees, shrubs and gardens, public buildings and historical shrines in the Village of Stonington; to promote literary, cultural and educational uses of its properties, which are suited for those purposes; to promote the common good and general welfare of the people of the community; to bring about civic betterments and social improvements; to buy, rent, build, hold and sell real and other property as may be necessary for their purposes; and to accumulate funds for these purposes.
- Income
- $111,279
- Spending
- $91,320
- Reserves
- 44 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 77%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending March 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 44.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending March 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending March 31, 2026, 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 (3)
- $71,244 spent. The Stonington Village Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Stroll start in front of the Stonington Free Library in Wadawanuck Square on the first Friday in December at 5:30 PM. Every year, the SVIA sponsors a tree lighting ceremony in Wadawanuck Square (with generous help from the Stonington Free Library and the Stonington Borough Merchants Association) that includes a community carol sing and a special visit by Santa. For many years, community carolers have led the gathering in singing Christmas Carols - everyone is welcome to join in! Immediately following the lighting of the tree is the annual Holiday Stroll down Water Street, where local merchants keep their shops open late and welcome visitors. They also compete for best window decorations as part of Borough A-Glow! The SVIA also places lights and seasonal decorations in front of the Library, around Cannon Square, and on the viaduct.
- The SVIA is pleased to assume the management of the Borough's July 4th parade, a long-standing, beloved tradition. Historic Stonington will continue to organize the reading of the Declaration of Independence in Wadawanuck Square immediately following the parade. The reading will then be followed by the SVIA Ice Cream Social with ice cream donated by Dog Watch Cafe.
- Summer Concert Series - In Collaboration with La Grua In 1912 an "Old Timers' Concert" was held in Borough Hall to benefit the Village Improvement Society. This started a long tradition of the SVIA holding concerts, with local musicians, for public enjoyment. Through the decades, the concerts continued and moved to Wadawanuck Square for a period of time. The La Grua Center has established a very successful and enriched concert series in the Borough, and it made good sense to combine our tradition with their series - this has proved to be a wonderful collaboration. Today, the SVIA contributes to La Grua's summer Concerts on the Green series in order to support a local musician, or group, and to help with public awareness for Borough residents. Click here for more information.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending March 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2026.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1953.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 21, 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.