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El Dorado Festivals & Events Inc

EIN 45-0831620 · El Dorado, AR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION'S VISION IS TO CREATE "THE FESTIVAL CITY OF THE SOUTH" HARBORING THE SPIRIT OF SOUTHERN ARTS, CULTURE AND THEMES BY CREATING A FESTIVAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS TO SHARE IN THE AMAZING TALENTS OF THOSE WHO CALL THE SOUTH THEIR HOME. THROUGH A GREATER ENGAGEMENT WITH THE ARTS, WE WILL INCREASE THE QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH ENHANCEMENT OF AESTHETIC BEAUTY, CULTURAL SOCIAL OFFERINGS AND INCREASED OPENNESS WITH THE CITIZENS OF OUR GREAT CITY.SOCIETY IS MEASURED BY THE MERIT OF ITS CULTURE, AND HERE IN THE SOUTH OUR CUP RUNNETH OVER. WE ARE CELEBRATING WHO WE ARE, WHERE WE HAVE BEEN AND WHERE WE ARE GOING THROUGH A BROAD AND DIVERSE SPECTRUM OF EVENTS AND FESTIVALS THAT WILL EDUCATE OUR YOUNG, INSPIRE OUR COMMUNITY AND FOSTER ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$4.6 million
Spent on programs
53%
Reserves
5.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 57%
Employees
71
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$220,000, president/ceo/treasurer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 92% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 64% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    53% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    10 of 10

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

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • 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, 2024, 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)
  1. $2.4 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO CREATE AND SUSTAIN AN ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATION THAT ACTS AS A CATALYST FOR CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL CHANGE FOR THE REGION. THIS MISSION WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH CONSTRUCTING AN ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT IN DOWNTOWN EL DORADO, ARKANSAS AND PROGRAMMING THIS DISTRICT WITH AN ANNUAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS. THE ORGANIZATION COMPLETED PHASE 1 OF THE CONSTRUCTION AND STARTED CONDUCTING ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER 2017.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 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 November 2011.

    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.