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Showmens League of America

EIN 36-1771610 · Chicago, IL

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceNot ratedToo small or too little detailImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOUNDED IN 1913 TO AID IN THE NEED OF ITS MEMBERS. PROMOTES FRIENDSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP BETWEEN ITS MEMBERS AND THE OUTDOOR AMUSEMENT INDUSTRY AND PLEDGES TO ASSIST THOSE IN NEED THROUGH ONE OF ITS MANY PROGRAMS.

Income
$176,937
Spending
$406,397
Employees
2
Volunteers
192
Highest pay
$38,769, sec/exec dir 5/24-12/31

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate

Governance

This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: THE SHOWMEN'S LEAGUE PROVIDES ABOUT 50 COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS APPROXIMATELY $100,000 TOTAL IN TUITION ASSISTANCE ANNUALLY, PLUS THE LEAGUE PROVIDES ANNUAL SUPPORT TO TWO TRAVELING SCHOOLS ATTENDED BY ITINERANT SHOW CHILDREN. IN ADDITION, $6,000 IS PROVIDED EACH YEAR TO SUPPORT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT THE ST. LOUIS CHAPTER OF THE SHOWMEN'S LEAGUE OF AMERICA (THIS CHAPTER RUNS THEIR OWN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM)
  2. AID TO TO INDIGENT SHOWPEOPLE- GIVEN TO INDIVIDUAL THAT HAVE A SPECIFIC NEED AND REQUEST HELP FROM THE SLA. TWO MEMBERS RECEIVED AID DURING 2024.
  3. CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS PARTIES - PROVIDED FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED AND DISABLED CHILDREN AT THE HANSON SCHOOL IN CHICAGO, PLUS A CHRISTMAS PARTY/FUNDRAISER FOR A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN LAS VEGAS. OVER 600 CHILDREN SERVED, ALL OF THEM RECEIVING TOYS AND CHRISTMAS TREATS.
  4. ANNUAL BANQUET, YEARBOOK EVENT AND MEMORIAL SERVICE, HONORING PAST LEADERSHIP AND MEMBERS LOST DURING THE PAST YEAR. PROGRAMS ATTENDED BY OVER 400 MEMBERS AND GUESTS.
  5. MOBILE CLUB AFTER DARK EVENTS, REACHING OUT TO MEMBERS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA, BRINGING FRATERNALISM TO THOSE WHO AREN'T ABLE TO TRAVEL TO EVENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(10) domestic fraternal society.

    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 November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.

    The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(10) domestic fraternal society as not deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 2024.

    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 February 1977.

    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 November 4, 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.