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Defiance Development and Visitorsbureau Inc

EIN 20-5588552 · Defiance, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THIS CORPORATION IS ORGANIZED ARE TO ENHANCE THE APPEARANCE OF THE DEFIANCE AREA THROUGH BEAUTIFICATION, RESTORATION, AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION; TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL AND OTHER SERVICES TO STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND THE ECONOMIC BASE OF DOWNTOWN DEFIANCE; AND TO PROMOTE BUSINESS, EVENTS, AND ACTIVITIES IN THE DEFIANCE AREA.

Income
$567,084
Spending
$550,811
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
5.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 52%
Employees
4
Volunteers
500
Highest pay
$49,387, former exec

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% 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 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

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

  • 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, 2025, 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 (5)
  1. $382,553 spent. THE ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE IS TO DEVELOP PROJECTS TO ENHANCE, EDUCATE, AND PROMOTE BUSINESS IN THE DEFIANCE AREA. THIS INCLUDES ORGANIZING, SUPPORTING AND OVERSEEING THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES: THE DESIGN COMMITTEE, WHOSE PURPOSE IS TO CREATE AN ATTRACTIVE, COORDINATED AND QUALITY IMAGE OF THE COMMUNITY BY CAPITALIZING ON ITS UNIQUE ASSETS AND HERITAGE; THE PROMOTION COMMITTEE, WHOSE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO MARKET A UNIFIED, QUALITY IMAGE OF THE BUSINESS DISTRICT AS THE CENTER OF ACTIVITIES, GOODS AND SERVICES TO RETAILERS, RESIDENTS, SHOPPERS, INVESTORS AND TOURISTS; AND THE ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING COMMITTEE, WORKS TO DEVELOP A MARKET STRATEGY FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT WILL RESULT IN AN IMPROVED RETAIL MIX, A STRONGER TAX BASE, INCREASED INVESTOR CONFIDENCE AND A STRONG, STABLE ROLE FOR THE DOWNTOWN AREA. THE ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE IS TO DEVELOP PROJECTS TO ENHANCE, EDUCATE, AND PROMOTE BUSINESS IN THE DEFIANCE AREA. THIS INCLUDES ORGANIZING, SUPPORTING AND OVERSEEING THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES: THE DESIGN COMMITTEE, WHOSE PURPOSE IS TO CREATE AN ATTRACTIVE, COORDINATED AND QUALITY IMAGE OF THE COMMUNITY BY CAPITALIZING ON ITS UNIQUE ASSETS AND HERITAGE; THE PROMOTION COMMITTEE, WHOSE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO MARKET A UNIFIED, QUALITY IMAGE OF THE BUSINESS DISTRICT AS THE CENTER OF ACTIVITIES, GOODS AND SERVICES TO RETAILERS, RESIDENTS, SHOPPERS, INVESTORS AND TOURISTS; AND THE ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING COMMITTEE, WORKS TO DEVELOP A MARKET STRATEGY FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT WILL RESULT IN AN IMPROVED RETAIL MIX, A STRONGER TAX BASE, INCREASED INVESTOR CONFIDENCE AND A STRONG, STABLE ROLE FOR THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
  2. $30,491 spent. THE ORGANIZATION FACILITATES THE COLLECTION OF DONATIONS FOR THE ANNUAL FIREWORKS DISPLAY FOR THE DEFIANCE AREA. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PLANS AND COORDINATES THE FOURTH OF JULY EVENTS AND PAYS ALL EXPENSES OUT OF THE FIREWORKS FUND.
  3. $12,483 spent. THE ORGANIZATION SPONSORS THE ANNUAL LILAC FESTIVAL. THE FESTIVAL FEATURES THE MOST PROLIFIC ARTISTS OF NORTHWESTERN OHIO; ARTS, ANTIQUES & CRAFT FAIR, GARDEN MARKET AND FARMERS MARKET. THERE ARE MUSICIANS PERFORMING THOUGHOUT THE DAY WITH CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE, FOOD VENDORS AND MUCH MORE.
  4. $49,765 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS THAT FALL UNDER THE ORGANIZATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE INCLUDE BEING THE FISCAL AGENT FOR THE SANTA HOUSE AND DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS. EACH CHRISTMAS SEASON A SMALL HOUSE IS ERECTED AND DECORATED IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. A SANTA IS HIRED AND CHILDREN FROM THE AREA ARE INVITED DOWN TO VISIT SANTA WITH PICTURE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE. THE ORGANIZATION IS THE FISCAL AGENT FOR THE DEFIANCE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS COMMITTEE. FUNDS ARE COLLECTED THROUGH DONATIONS AND THE CHRISTMAS COMMITTEE MEETS AND DECIDES HOW TO APPROPRIATELY UTILIZE THESE FUNDS TO DECORATE DURING CHRISTMAS SEASON.
  5. OTHER PROGRAMS THAT FALL UNDER THE ORGANIZATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE INCLUDE BEING THE FISCAL AGENT FOR THE SANTA HOUSE AND DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS. EACH CHRISTMAS SEASON A SMALL HOUSE IS ERECTED AND DECORATED IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. A SANTA IS HIRED AND CHILDREN FROM THE AREA ARE INVITED DOWN TO VISIT SANTA WITH PICTURE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE. THE ORGANIZATION IS THE FISCAL AGENT FOR THE DEFIANCE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS COMMITTEE. FUNDS ARE COLLECTED THROUGH DONATIONS AND THE CHRISTMAS COMMITTEE MEETS AND DECIDES HOW TO APPROPRIATELY UTILIZE THESE FUNDS TO DECORATE DURING CHRISTMAS SEASON.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2007.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.