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Salem Area Community Betterment Association

EIN 43-1677891 · Salem, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ENCOURAGE ECONOMIC PROGRESS IN THE SALEM, MO AREA BY PLANNING FOR ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL GROWTH AND PROVIDING CULTURAL, HISTORICAL, RELIGIOUS AND HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES TO THE COMMUNITY.

Income
$145,095
Spending
$135,246
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
30.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 66%
Employees
0
Volunteers
100

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 30.2 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 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 64% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (4)
  1. $28,804 spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROMOTES AND SUPPORTS THE ARTS AS A VITAL COMPONENT OF A HEALTHY, VIBRANT, AND WELL-ROUNDED COMMUNITY FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS IN THE SALEM, MISSOURI AND DENT COUNTY AREA. THROUGH ITS CREATIVE ARTS CENTER, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES ACCESSIBLE ARTS PROGRAMMING ACROSS A WIDE RANGE OF DISCIPLINES, INCLUDING VISUAL ARTS, CRAFTS, AND MUSIC.PROGRAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE HOSTING THEMED PAINTING EVENTS, STAINED GLASS AND FIBER ARTS WORKSHOPS, AND MONTHLY MUSIC JAM SESSIONS, AMONG OTHER OFFERINGS. THESE PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO FOSTER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, ENCOURAGE ARTISTIC EXPRESSION, AND EXPAND ACCESS TO CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES AND SKILL LEVELS.
  2. $42,401 spent. THE ORGANIZATION PARTNERS WITH LOCAL CHURCHES THROUGH THE DENT COUNTY CHAPTER OF LOVE THY NEIGHBOR TO PROVIDE NO-COST HOME REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES TO QUALIFYING HOMEOWNERS IN THE COMMUNITY. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PAINTING, YARD WORK, MINOR ROOFING REPAIRS, DECK REPAIRS, AND OTHER ESSENTIAL HOME IMPROVEMENTS.THROUGH AN ANNUAL COORDINATED SERVICE EVENT, THE PROGRAM MOBILIZES VOLUNTEERS TO COMPLETE THESE PROJECTS WHILE ALSO FOSTERING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH ORGANIZED GROUP ACTIVITIES AND TEAM-BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES. THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE HOUSING CONDITIONS, ADDRESS UNMET HOMEOWNER NEEDS, AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS.
  3. $24,849 spent. THE OZARK NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCE CENTER (ONCRC) PROMOTES AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES, CULTURAL HERITAGE, AND UNIQUE IDENTITY OF THE OZARKS FOR BOTH RESIDENTS AND VISITORS. AS A REGIONAL INFORMATION AND EDUCATION HUB, THE CENTER PROVIDES INTERPRETIVE EXHIBITS, EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, AND VISITOR RESOURCES HIGHLIGHTING THE AREA'S ECOLOGY, HISTORY, AND CULTURAL TRADITIONS.LOCATED AS A NORTHERN GATEWAY TO THE OZARK NATIONAL SCENIC RIVERWAYS AND SURROUNDING PUBLIC LANDS, ONCRC SERVES AS AN ENTRY POINT FOR INDIVIDUALS SEEKING TO EXPLORE THE REGION. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES ARE DESIGNED TO ENHANCE VISITOR EXPERIENCES, SUPPORT TOURISM, AND ENCOURAGE STEWARDSHIP OF THE OZARKS' NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES.
  4. $7,118 spent. THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTS ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS:BEAUTIFICATION EFFORTS INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SEASONAL LANDSCAPING, PUBLIC PLANTERS, PARK ENTRANCES, COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACES, AND "WELCOME TO SALEM" SIGNAGE TO CREATE AN INVITING ENVIRONMENT AND SUPPORT LOCAL PRIDE AND TOURISM.THROUGH THE DENT COUNTY TOY DRIVE, VOLUNTEERS RAISE FUNDS AND PROVIDE HOLIDAY GIFTS TO CHILDREN IN NEED, HELPING ENSURE ACCESS TO A POSITIVE HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS THE SALEM FARMERS MARKET, WHICH CONNECTS LOCAL FARMERS AND PRODUCERS WITH THE COMMUNITY, INCREASING ACCESS TO LOCALLY GROWN PRODUCE AND GOODS WHILE SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 November 6, 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 December 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 June 1995.

    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.