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Fairfield County Agricultural Society

EIN 31-4379742 · Lancaster, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SOCIETY SHALL PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE AGRICULTURE, INDUSTRY, SCIENCE, ART AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE YOUTH AND ADULTS OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY AND TO SUPPORT OTHER ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, AND THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES, AND THE STATE OF OHIO.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
14.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 95%
Employees
148
Highest pay
$3,062, director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.7 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

    0 of 15

    Income fell 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    7 of 7

    Has a 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 November 30, 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. $396,089 spent. JUNIOR FAIR ENTRIES FOR THE FAIR AND OPEN CLASS THE JUIOR FAIR PROMOTES AGRICULTURE AND DEVELOPES LEADERSHIP IN THE YOUTH OF THE COUNTY AND CITY. JUNIOR FAIR INVOLOVES A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS TO INCLUDE COOKING, SEWING, ENGINEERING MACHINEY AND LARGE AND SMALL ANIMALS. THE JUNIOR FAIR YOUTH SHOW ALL ANIMALS AND FINISHED PROJECT DURING THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY FAIR. OPEN CLASS ENTRIED FOR THE FAIR. OPEN CLASS ENTRIES ALLOWS THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO ENTER ITEMS INTO THE FAIR TO BE JUDGED AND EVALUATED. THIS PROMOTES COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT DURING THE COUNTY FAIR. ENTRIES CAN RANGE FROM COOKING, CANNED GOODS TO FARM PRODUCTS AND CATTLE, HOGS AND SHEEP.
  2. $749,016 spent. ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEK OF THE FAIR. ENTERTAINMENT AT THE FAIR CONSIST OF HORSE PULLS, HARNESS HORSE RACES, DEMO DERBIES, RODEOS AND MORE. LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL BANDS ALSO PERFORM FOR THE PUBLIC. RENATL OF GROUNDS DURING OFF SEASON.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 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 November 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 December 2020.

    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.