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Operation Pumpkins Inc

EIN 45-5259705 · Hamilton, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceWeak48 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Operation Pumpkins, Inc., is organized exclusively for charitable and education purposes, more specifically to raise awareness to the growth, development, and revitalization of downtown Hamilton while providing family entertainment through a weekend festival and raise funds for local nonprofit entities.

Income
$329,920
Spending
$296,470
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
5.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 79%
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 63% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.5 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 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% 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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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. Live entertainment is a focal point of the weekend festival, with live musical performances as well as dance groups. The event is free to attend, so this is not a source of revenue, but rather one of several forms of entertainment in the festival to bring citizens to the downtown Hamilton area, showcasing the revitalization of a once blighted district into a residential and commercial hub. Performers are on one of two stages at opposite ends of the festival for all hours of the festival's operations over the three-day event. One of the two stages, our "Hometown Stage" is booked only with performers from the downtown Hamilton area, which has a large artist community.
  2. Expenses in this category also include the cost of merchandise purchased for sale in the 722440 business activity code. We offer clothing and accessories with the Operation Pumpkin Logo as well as the sale of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. These are the primary revenue drivers for the festival and also serve as marketing and advertising as wearable items when buyer share by wearing outside of the community. There are two local microbreweries, both of which participate in the weekend festival, one of which has a brick and mortar location adjacent to the festival footprint. These activities generate the revenues necessary to offer the live music and art entertainment for the weekend so that we can keep the festival free of charge to maximize exposure for Hamilton.
  3. One of the feature events at the festival is the giant pumpkin weigh off, followed by the carving of those pumpkins. Prize monies are awarded to the largest pumpkins by weight, as well as other categories based on type of pumpkin and there are also prizes for our spectators and festival visitors to award to favorites. As with the other forms of entertainment at the festival, the weigh off is not a source of revenue, but a means by which to attract individuals to the downtown Hamilton area. Pumpkins are donated at the end of the festival to be used as seasonal decoration for the very same local small businesses we aim to highlight with the festival.
  4. Other Program Services Expenses: $56,213; Advertising and Promotion: $21,892; Sanitation: $17,378; Safety Services: $7,520 Insurance: $5,074 Decorations: $4,349

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 September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2025 for not filing returns for three years. The IRS now lists it as tax-exempt again.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Worth knowing.

    Recognized by the IRS in December 2025. It is too new to have a track record.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.