Congaree Vista Guild
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE, DEVELOP AND PRESERVE THE UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS THAT MAKE THE HISTORIC CONGAREE VISTA NEIGHBORHOOD COLUMBIA'S PREMIER ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT. THE CONGAREE VISTA IS AN OFFICIAL SOUTH CAROLINA CULTURAL DISTRICT, A STATE DESIGNATION GIVEN IN 2015.
- Income
- $581,300
- Spending
- $593,916
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 16
- Highest pay
- $80,700, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 30, 2025, 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 June 30, 2025, 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 (6)
- $163,687 spent. HOSPITALITY TAX FUNDED MARKETING/OPER - THE FUNDS ARE USED FOR MARKETING PURPOSES, INCLUDING PRINT, RADIO AND MAGAZINE ADVERTISING THROUGHOUT SOUTH CAROLINA. THESE FUNDS ALSO PURCHASE PUBLIC RELATIONS, MEDIA RELATIONS, THE PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION OF BROCHURES/MAPS/GUIDES, FLYERS AND POSTERS, WEBSITE MAINTENANCE, AND AN ADMINISTRATOR (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR) FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING THE VISTA AS A DESIRABLE TOURIST DESTINATION. THE HOSPITALITY TAX FUNDS ALSO SUPPORT TWO SIGNATURE EVENTS: VISTA LIGHTS, A HOLIDAY STREET FESTIVAL AND ARTISTA VISTA, AN ART GALLERY CRAWL AND CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS, AS WELL AS OTHER SMALLER EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT LIKE THIRD THURSDAY AND CONCERTS.
- $20,903 spent. CLEAN AND SAFE - THE VISTA GUILD CLEAN AND SAFE TEAM INCLUDES A FULL-TIME OPERATIONS MANAGER AND TWO PART TIME HOSPITALITY AMBASSADORS/CLEANING CREW MEMBERS. THEY ARE USED AS A COMPLIMENT TO CITY SERVICES INCLUDING THE COLUMBIA POLICE DEPARTMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS. THE DOWNTOWN SAFETY GUIDES CONSIST OF GOLF CART AND FOOT PATROLS DURING THE DAY AND INTO THE EVENING HOURS. THE GUIDES ARE CHARGED WITH GIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND DIRECTIONS AS WELL AS SHOWING A HIGHLY VISIBLE PRESENCE IN OUR CONGAREE VISTA DISTRICT. THE VISTA CLEAN AND SAFE TEAM REMOVES DEBRIS AND GRAFFITI FROM SIDEWALKS AND ALLEYWAYS, AND SOLVES OTHER MAINTENANCE ISSUES INCLUDING LANDSCAPING, PLANTINGS AND REPORTING OF CODE AND OTHER VIOLATIONS OR PROBLEMS TO THE PROPER CITY OF COLUMBIA DEPARTMENTS.
- $202,426 spent. VISTA LIGHTS - THE VISTA GUILD ORGANIZED AND PROMOTED VISTA LIGHTS, AN ANNUAL EVENT WHICH TAKES PLACE THE THURSDAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING AND KICKS OFF THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON IN THE CONGAREE VISTA DISTRICT. BILLBOARD, RADIO, PRINT AND ONLINE ADVERTISING DREW PATRONS TO THE DISTRICT WHERE THEY ENJOYED KIDS ACTIVITIES, LIVE MUSIC, DANCE PERFORMANCES, A SPECIAL VISTA TREE LIGHTING AND A FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE. NEARLY ALL VISTA MERCHANTS PARTICIPATED IN THIS EVENT AND A CROWD OF OVER 9,000 ATTENDED.
- $158,651 spent. ARTISTA VISTA - THE CONGAREE VISTA GUILD ADVERTISED AND PROMOTED AN ANNUAL SPRING EVENT CALLED ARTISTA VISTA THAT FOCUSED ON THE GALLERIES AND ARTISTS LOCATED IN THE VISTA. THE 2025 ARTISTA VISTA CONTINUED THE NEW TRADITION OF BEING A WEEKEND-LONG EVENT. THE EVENT GAVE PATRONS FROM AROUND THE AREA AS WELL AS COLUMBIA RESIDENTS A WAY TO CELEBRATE THE ARTS. ABOUT 4,000 PEOPLE ENJOYED ARISTA VISTA OVER THE 3-DAY WEEKEND.
- SUPPORT OF MEMBERS - MEMBERSHIP DUES AND CONGAREE VISTA GUIDE ADS WERE USED TO SUBSIDIZE MEMBERSHIP-SPECIFIC DISCOUNTED ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES, TO INTRODUCE MEMBERS AND THEIR BUSINESS TO ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND TO PROVIDE FOR OFFICE OPERATIONS.
- BEAUTIFICATION - THE VISTA GUILD CONTINUES TO BEAUTIFY AND UPKEEP THE CONGAREE VISTA DISTRICT.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(6) business league.
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? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 June 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 June 2005.
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.