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Sunfest of Palm Beach County Inc

EIN 59-1864355 · Jupiter, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 182 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

SUNFEST'S PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO SPONSOR ART AND MUSIC FESTIVALS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

Income
$368,350
Spending
$660,694
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 90%
Employees
2
Volunteers
207
Highest pay
$117,990, executive director

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

Financial health

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 79% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 93% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 182 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    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 May 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 (1)
  1. $498,170 spent. SUNFEST'S PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO SPONSOR ART AND MUSIC FESTIVALS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE ORGANIZATION GENERALLY HOLDS ONE MAIN EVENT EACH YEAR THAT COVERS A THREE-DAY PERIOD DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF MAY. THE FESTIVAL AND THE PATRONS HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE LOCAL ECONOMY.SUNFEST WAS NOT HELD IN 2025, BECAUSE THE EVENT ORGANIZERS DECIDED TO TRANSITION FROM THE TRADITIONAL FESTIVAL TO EXPLORE NEW FORMATS AND DATES, CITING SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL STRUGGLES, DECLINING ATTENDANCE, AND GENERAL CHALLENGES WITHIN THE MUSIC FESTIVAL INDUSTRY. THE ORGANIZATION EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL LOSSES IN THE PREVIOUS YEARS AND IS NOW FOCUSED ON SMALLER EVENTS AS IT DETERMINES HOW TO PRODUCE ITS SIGNATURE EVENT AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. THE CITY OF LAKE WORTH BEACH REQUESTED SUNFEST OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, INC. TO ORGANIZE AND PRODUCE THE CITY OF LAKE WORTH BEACH STREET PAINTING FESTIVAL WHICH WAS HELD IN FEBRUARY 2025.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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? 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 May 2025.

    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 June 1980.

    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.