Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
TO PROMOTE THE SPIRIT OF CARNIVAL IN THE CITY OF TAMPA AND STAGE THE ANNUAL GASPARILLA INVASION DAY AND RELATED PARADE AND SOCIAL EVENTS.
- Income
- $3.8 million
- Spending
- $3.9 million
- Employees
- 62
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $172,088, executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- THE NAME AND FOUNDATION OF TAMPA'S TRADITIONAL YE MYSTIC KREWE OF GASPARILLA PIRATE INVASION AND PARADE COME FROM THE LEGENDARY PIRATE JOSE GASPAR, "LAST OF THE BUCCANEERS," WHO TERRORIZED THE COASTAL WATERS OF WEST FLORIDA DURING THE LATE 18TH AND EARLY 19TH CENTURY. AS AN ARISTOCRAT BY BIRTH AND OFFICER IN THE SPANISH NAVY, GASPAR WAS WELL EDUCATED, POSSESSED COURTLY MANNERS, AND HAD ALL THE APPEARANCES OF A FINE GENTLEMAN. WHEN JOSE GASPAR DIED, HE SUPPOSEDLY LEFT AN UNTOLD FORTUNE IN BURIED TREASURE SOMEWHERE ALONG THE FLORIDA COAST. THOUGH THAT TREASURE HAS NEVER BEEN DISCOVERED, THE STORY OF THE SWASHBUCKLING GASPAR WAS UNEARTHED AND HIS MEMORY REVIVED IN 1904 WHEN YE MYSTIC KREWE OF GASPARILLA WAS FORMED AND ADOPTED THE PIRATE AS PATRON ROGUE OF THEIR CITY-WIDE CELEBRATION. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)INSPIRED BY THE LEGEND, THE ORGANIZATION IS DEDICATED TO ENRICHING THE VITALITY AND IMAGINATION OF TAMPA AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY. EACH YEAR THE KREWE PARTNERS WITH THE CITY OF TAMPA, U.S. COAST GUARD, AND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO SPONSOR THE GASPARILLA INVASION AND PARADE, THE THIRD LARGEST IN THE UNITED STATES, WHICH PROVIDES ENTERTAINMENT TO MILLIONS OF PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. THE LANDFALL OF THE JOSE GASPARILLA PIRATE SHIP AND THE CHILDREN'S PARADE FIREWORKS SHOW HAVE BECOME TOURISM ICONS. WHEN NOT HOSTING THEIR ANNUAL CHILDREN'S PARADE AND PIRATE INVASION AND PARADE, THE KREWE MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY AND CHARITY EVENTS THROUGH SPECIAL APPEARANCES IN TAMPA BAY AND THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. KREWE MEMBERS, IN PIRATE ATTIRE, REGULARLY VISIT HOSPITALS, ASSISTED LIVING CENTERS, CHILDREN'S VENUES, AND SCHOOLS, ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY IN THE SPIRIT AND FUN OF GASPARILLA EVENTS. THE KREWE ALSO CARRIES ON ITS SOCIAL TRADITION WITH THE ANNUAL DEBUTANTE AND CORONATION BALLS.IN ADDITION, YMKG WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN ESTABLISHING THE INTER-KREWE COUNCIL, WHICH HAS GROWN TO INCLUDE MORE THAN 60 OTHER KREWES. EACH KREWE IS ORGANIZED FOR SPECIFIC CHARITABLE AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PURPOSES.
- THE KREWE OWNS AND MAINTAINS THE JOSE GASPAR, A FULL-RIGGED PIRATE SHIP, AS A TOURIST ATTRACTION. IN 1911 A SHIP WAS USED FOR THE FIRST TIME BY YMKG TO CAPTURE THE CITY OF TAMPA, BUT IT WASN'T UNTIL 1937 THAT THE KREWE OWNED ITS FIRST VESSEL, THE JOSE GASPARILLA I. IN 1954, YMKG COMMISSIONED THE BUILDING OF THE WORLD'S ONLY FULLY RIGGED PIRATE SHIP, JOSE GASPARILLA II, WHICH WAS CHRISTENED DURING THE KREWE'S 50-YEAR ANNIVERSARY. DURING THE YEAR, THE SHIP IS DOCKED AT THE TARPON WEIGH STATION ON BAYSHORE BOULEVARD FOR THE PUBLIC'S VIEWING PLEASURE.
- THE KREWE HOSTS AN ANNUAL CORONATION BALL TO RECOGNIZE THEIR INCOMING "CEREMONIAL" KING, QUEEN, AND ROYAL COURT. THIS BALL WAS HELD AT THE TAMPA CONVENTION CENTER AND WAS ATTENDED BY 1,000 YMKG MEMBERS AND ASSORTED GUESTS. THIS WAS AN INVITATION-ONLY AFFAIR THAT INCLUDED FOOD, BEVERAGES, AND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT. THIS EVENT WAS NOT OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(7) social or recreational club.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(7) social or recreational club as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending April 2026.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1940.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.