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Bentleyville Tour of Lights Inc

EIN 26-3787799 · Duluth, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF BENTLEYVILLE TOUR OF LIGHTS IS TO INTRODUCE ALL TO THE MAGIC OF THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SEASON BY INSPIRING PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS TO COME TOGETHER THROUGH A FREE HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAY FOR THE PUBLIC TO TOUR AT NO CHARGE.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
4.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 62%
Employees
90
Volunteers
2,027
Highest pay
$6,619, director

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

Financial health

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 45 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 January 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)
  1. $930,528 spent. BENTLEYVILLE TOUR OF LIGHTS PROVIDES A FREE HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW AT BAYFRONT PARK IN DULUTH, MN. CHILDREN 10 YEARS AND YOUNGER RECEIVE A NEW KNIT HAT WHEN THEY VISIT SANTA CLAUS. 30,000 HATS WERE HANDED OUT DURING THE EVENT. FREE COFFEE, HOT CHOCOLATE AND COOKIES ARE PROVIDED TO VISITORS AS THEY STAND AROUND ONE OF THE MANY FIRE PITS ENJOYING CONVERSATION AND FELLOWSHIP. AN ESTIMATED 299,000 VISITORS TOURED BENTLEYVILLE DURING THE PERIOD. BENTLEYVILLE TOUR OF LIGHTS IS ALSO A DROP-OFF SITE FOR THE SALVATION ARMY'S ANNUAL TOYS-FOR-TOTS AND FOOD DRIVE WHERE 9,255 POUNDS OF FOOD AND 1,433 TOYS WERE RECEIVED. VOLUNTEERS PUT IN APPROXIMATELY 10,000 HOURS TO MAKE THIS YEAR'S TOUR OF LIGHTS A SUCCESS.
  2. $21,297 spent. MANAGEMENT & GENERAL EXPENSES

Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 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 January 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 October 2009.

    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.