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Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society Inc

EIN 52-0590244 · Timonium, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MARYLAND STATE FAIR & AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, INC., A PRIVATE NON-PROFIT 501(C)(3)ORGANIZATION, SUPPORTS AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION, PRESERVES AND PROMOTES MARYLAND'S AGRICULTURAL ROOTS, AND PROVIDES COMPETITIONS AND EVENTS SHOWCASING MARYLAND'S PREMIER INDUSTRY. ANNUALLY, THE MARYLAND STATE FAIR PROVIDES NEW FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT WHILE PERSERVING TRADITIONAL FAVORITES, HONORS THE TALENTS OF MARYLAND YOUTH AND ADULTS THROUGH COMPETITION AND SHOWCASES, AND PROVIDES FUN, EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP PROMOTE MARYLAND'S LEADING INDUSTRY, AGRICULTURE. SINCE MANY PEOPLE ARE GENERATIONS AWAY FROM THE FARM, THE MARYLAND STATE FAIR EXPANDS AND CHANGES ITS EXHIBITS TO KEEP UP WITH TECHNOLOGICAL AND INDUSTRY ADVANCEMENTS. AMONG THE MANY CURRENT AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITS ARE THE MARYLAND STATE FAIR BIRTHING CENTER, U-LEARN FARM, THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND DAIRY AND WYE BEEF HERDS EXHIBITS, HORSELAND, NATURE PLAY SPACE, AND MORE. IF HISTORY IS EVIDENCE, THE MARYLAND STATE FAIR WILL CONTINUE TO GROW,

Income
$13.5 million
Spending
$9.3 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
8.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 55%
Employees
372
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$187,965, marketing di

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

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 67% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    28 of 28 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 October 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 (3)
  1. $6.2 million spent. THE MARYLAND STATE FAIR IS AN ANNUAL ATTRACTION HELD BETWEEN LATE AUGUST AND EARLY SEPTEMBER AND IS HOST TO SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND ATTENDEES. THE ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE AMUSEMENT RIDES, CONCERTS, ANIMALS, PRODUCE, FOOD PRODUCTS, ARTS & CRAFTS, AND AMONG OTHERS MD FARM EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS HOSTED BY THE 4H, FFA, U LEARN CENTER, ANIMAL WORLD, AND STEM AND TECHNOLOGY. THE STATE FAIR SERVES AS A STATE WIDE NETWORKING AND CAREER DEVELOMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN SUCH PROGRAMS.
  2. $1.8 million spent. THOROUGHBRED RACING IS HELD FOR 7-10 DAYS DURING THE MARYLAND STATE FAIR. IN ADDITION TO SUPPORTING MARYLAND HORSE BREEDING, THE RACING DAYS PROVIDE A PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITY EACH YEAR.
  3. EACH YEAR THE MARYLAND STATE FAIR MAKES IT'S FACILITIES AVAILABLE TO OTHER LIVESTOCK AND AGRICULTURAL GROUPS AT NO COST OR FOR REDUCED RENTAL RATES. PRIOR EVENTS WERE THE ATLANTIC NATIONAL ANGUS EVENT, BALTIMORE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET,BALTIMORE COUNTY 4-H FAIR, MARYLAND HORSE BREEDERS YEARLING SHOW, THE PDCA DAIRY CATTLE SHOW & YOUTH SWINE SHOW ARE HELD ON THE FAIRGROUNDS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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 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 October 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 November 1953.

    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.