Friends of the Merced County Fair Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MERCED COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, OWNED BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. IMPROVEMENTS ARE CAPITALIZED UNTIL FINISHED AT WHICH POINT THEY ARE TURNED OVER TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
- Income
- $130,619
- Spending
- $86,763
- Reserves
- 49.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 70%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 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 (2)
- SOLICIATION OF DUES & CONTRIBUTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO MERCED COUNTY'S STATE OF CALIFORNIA'S FAIRGROUNDS. OUTREACH TO THE PUBLIC TO EDUCATE THEM OF THE NEED FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FAIRGROUNDS AND PRESERVE THE AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND TRADITIONS OF MERCED COUNTY AND TO SOLICIT CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS THIS EFFORT. HOSTING A BOOTH AT THE MERCED COUNTY FAIR TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND THE GOALS AND PROGRESS OF THE ORGANIZATION. LOCAL BUSINESS ENTITIES SPONSOR AND PROVIDE REFRESHMENTS FOR HELP IN OBTAINING CONTRIBUTIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS IN OUR ORGANIZATION. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ALLOCATED FUNDS TO LOCAL AGRICULATURAL GROUPS THAT UTILIZE THE FAIRGROUND PROPERTY AND VOLUNTEER SERVICES TO THE FAIR GROUNDS.
- THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OVERSAW THE EXPENDITURES OF FUNDS FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FAIR GROUNDS. THIS YEARS IMPROVEMENTS TOTALED $33,775 AND INCLUDED BARN REPAIRS, CONTRACTOR SERVICES FOR POTENTIAL BATHROOM TO BE ADDED
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 December 2025.
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 March 2008.
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.