Check before you give

Great Mississippi River Balloon Race

EIN 64-0792957 · Natchez, MS

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

What it says it does

RECREATIONAL BENEFITS FOR THE PUBLIC.

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

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 December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate

This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.

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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$540,553 spent. THE GREAT MISSISSIPPI RIVER BALLOON RACE WAS HELD IN OCTOBER 2025 IN NATCHEZ, MS. THE FESTIVAL WAS OPEN TO AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE PUBLIC WAS PROVIDED WITH LEISURE ACTIVITIES WHICH INCLUDED BALLOON RIDES, RACE OBSERVATION, FESTIVAL ENTERTAINMENT, FOOD AND BEVERAGES, BALLOON GLOW AND FIREWORKS. EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE PROVIDED TO MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC WHO WISH TO CONVERSE WITH BALLOON PILOTS AND CREWS TO LEARN ABOUT BALLOON FLIGHT PRINCIPLES AND HISTORY. PRIOR TO THE RACE WEEKEND VOLUNTEERS ARE RECRUITED FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO SERVE AS CREW MEMBERS FOR THE BALLOONS THAT COME FOR THE RACE. THESE VOLUNTEERS ARE PROVIDED CREW TRAINING PRIOR TO THE RACE WEEKEND.THE GREAT MISSISSIPPI RIVER BALLOON RACE IS ADVERTISED THROUGHOUT THE SOUTH AND THIS ADVERTISING PROMOTES TOURISM IN MISSISSIPPI AND NATCHEZ. THE RACE HAS RECEIVED NATIONWIDE RECOGNITION IN SOME TRAVEL AND LEISURE PUBLICATIONS AND THIS NATIONAL EXPOSURE HAS BENEFITED THE CITY OF NATCHEZ AND ITS CITIZENS.

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

Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1991.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 2026.

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