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Winneshiek County Agricultural Association

EIN 42-0605155 · Decorah, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak34 out of 100GovernanceFair55 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE THE ANNUAL, FREE WINNESHIEK COUNTY FAIR, TO ADVANCE THE INTERESTS OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE & FLORICULTURE, TO IMPROVE & ENCOURAGE BREEDING OF FINE STOCK, AND TO STIMULATE THE STUDY OF ARTS & SCIENCES, ESPECIALLY FOR YOUTHS & YOUNG ADULTS, PROVIDING THE FACILITIES & EVENTS TO EXHIBIT THE PRODUCTS & RESULTS OF THESES EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC PROJECTS, AS WELL AS ART & CRAFT PROJECTS AND THE PERFORMING ARTS.

Income
$582,253
Spending
$618,053
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
-17.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 78%
Employees
0
Volunteers
60

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

Financial health

Weak: 34 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 49% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 (3)
  1. $504,349 spent. ANNUAL ATTENDANCE AT THE FAIRS REGULARLY EXCEEDS TOTAL POPULATION OF COUNTY, USUALLY BY 50% MORE; AN ESTIMATED 38,500 ATTENDESS USUALLY COME TO SEE THE LIVESTOCK ENTRIES AND EXHIBITS FROM EVERY 4-H AND FFA ORGANIZATION IN THE COUNTY, PLUS ALL HIGH SCHOOLS AND MOST NON-PROFIT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS; EACH YEAR HAS INCLUDED SPONSORSHIP OF THE ANNUAL BILL RILEY STATE FAIR TALENT SEARCH THAT INCLUDED BOTH SPROUT & SENIOR DIVISION ENTRANTS FROM AGES 2 TO 22.
  2. $68,190 spent. HOSTING WEEKLY SUMMER STOCK CAR RACES FOR RESIDENTS OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY ALONG WITH RODEO AND TRACTOR PULL.
  3. $1,682 spent. FAIRGROUNDS FACILITIES EVENTS THAT TYPICALLY OCCUR IN THE YEAR INCLUDE FFA BANQUET, IOWA DRIFTLESS BANQUET, COMMUNITY FARMERS MARKET, DECORAH AREA CHAMBER OF COMEMERCE AG COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND WOMENS WEEKEND OUT EVENT, REGIONAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS BENEFIT RODEO, UPPER IOWA TRAINING CLUB SESSION, NE IOWA COMMUNITY ACTION TRAINING SESSIONS, WINTER STORAGE FOR COUNTY RESIDENTS, LUTHER COLLEGE, NORDIC FEST AND ALLIANT ENERGY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 1940.

    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.