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Ozark Empire Fair Foundation

EIN 55-0855326 · Springfield, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak31 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ESTABLISHED IN 2003, THE OZARK EMPIRE FAIR FOUNDATION IS A NON-PROFIT 501 (C)(3) ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO PROVIDE AGRICULTURAL YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS, AND PROVIDE FUNDING FOR MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO GREENE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL SOCIETY AND ITS FACILITIES.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
-86.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 47%
Employees
0
Volunteers
41

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: 31 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 57% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 91% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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, 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 (3)
  1. $1.8 million spent. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES RESOURCES FOR THE OZARK EMPIRE FAIR TO CREATE AND PRESENT EXHIBITS AND ATTRACTIONS WHICH EMPHASIZE AGRICULTURE AND PROVIDE AN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY. THE MAIN ATTRACTION IS THE GOLD BUCKLE GALA. APPROXIMATELY 595 PEOPLE ATTEND THE EVENT, WHICH INCLUDES A MEAL, SILENT AUCTION, AND AUCTION OF THE TOP JUNIOR LIVESTOCK ENTRIES.
  2. $10,500 spent. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES A PROGRAM IN WHICH SPONSORSHIP FUNDS ARE OBTAINED FROM PUREBRED LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS. THESE FUNDS ARE THEN AWARDED, IN THE FORM OF $1,000 ANIMAL PURCHASE CERTIFICATES, BY RANDOM DRAWING TO YOUTH LIVESTOCK EXHIBITORS TO ASSIST THEM IN PURCHASING ANIMALS FROM THE PARTICIPATING BREEDERS.
  3. $5,500 spent. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES THE SUPREME BEEF AWARD PROGRAM WHICH RECOGNIZES THE TOP JUNIOR BEEF LIVESTOCK EXHIBITORS AT THE OZARK EMPIRE FAIR. A TOTAL OF $5,500 WAS DISTRIBUTED TO 4-H AND FFA MEMBERS.

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 September 7, 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 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 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2005.

    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.