Dodge County Fair Assn
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO ORGANIZE AND CONDUCT THE ANNUAL COUNTY FAIR IN DODGE COUNTY WISCONSIN. MANAGE LEASING OF FACILITIES FOR NON FAIR EVENTS.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $1.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- -0.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 69%
- Employees
- 27
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $11,934, president
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
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 24% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% 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
Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $976,107 spent. THE DODGE COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION IS A STATE OF WISCONSIN CORPORATION FORMED FOR THE PURPOSE OF OPERATING THE FAIRGROUNDS, WHICH INCLUDES THE ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE ANNUAL COUNTY FAIR. THE FAIRGROUNDS IS PRESENTLY LOCATED THREE MILES EAST OF THE CITY OF BEAVER DAM ON 40 ACRES OF LAND OWNED BY THE CORPORATION. THE 2025 DODGE COUNTY FAIR EVENT WAS HELD FROM AUGUST 13TH THROUGH AUGUST 17TH. THE COUNTY FAIR IS A FESTIVAL OF MUSIC, FOOD, AND YOUTH EDUCATION THAT ENTERTAINS APPROXIMATELY 50,000 PATRONS ANNUALLY. THIS IS THE AREAS MAIN SUMMER EVENT WITH THREE NIGHTS OF CONCERTS ON AN OUTDOOR STAGE THAT IS SURROUNDED BY YOUTH EDUCATIONAL AND ANIMAL EXHIBITS, A CARNIVAL, FOOD VENDORS, AND COMMERCIAL EXHIBIT AREAS. THE OUTDOOR MAIN STAGE CONCERT VENUE, WHICH IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF ADMISSION TO THE FAIR, INCLUDES NATIONALLY TOURING MUSICAL ACTS OF CHRIS LANE, JAMESON RODGERS & NIGHT RANGER. OTHER ENTERTAINMENT THROUGHOUT THE FAIRGROUNDS INCLUDED SMALL STAGE MUSICAL ACTS AND SHOWS SUCH AS NICK'S KID SHOW, A CUSTOM CHAIN SAW CARVER, WILD WORLD OF ANIMALS, AND PIG RACES, FARM AND VARIOUS SMALL ANIMALS, YOUTH AND COMMERCIAL EXHIBITS, A CARNIVAL WHICH INCLUDED RIDES AND GAMES ON THE MIDWAY, AND FINALLY MANY FOOD AND BEVERAGE VENDORS. THE FINAL DAY OF THE FAIR IS HIGHLIGHTED BY THE SMASH EM CRASH EM DEMOLITION DERBY AT THE GRANDSTAND.
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
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 November 6, 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 November 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 August 1940.
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 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.