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Sonny Boy Blues Society Inc

EIN 71-0673454 · Helena, AR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE THE MEMORY, SPIRIT, AND MUSIC OF SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON AND OTHER BLUES ARTISTS BY FOSTERING AN APPRECIATION OF BLUES MUSIC, KNOWLEDGE OF THE BLUES HISTORY, AND PROMOTING MEETINGS, LECTURES, CONCERTS AND MUSICAL PRODUCTIONS.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 69%
Employees
3
Volunteers
200

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: 44 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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. $1.2 million spent. PLANNING FOR AND PRESENTING THE ANNUAL KING BISCUIT BLUES FESTIVAL IN DOWNTOWN HELENA, AR, PROVIDING THREE DAYS OF IMPRESSIVE BLUES ARTISTS PERFORMING THEIR MUSIC. THE FESTIVAL IS THE MAIN EVENT THE SECOND WEEKEND OF OCTOBER, BUT OTHER EVENTS TAKE PLACE SIMULTANEIOUSLY ALL OVER HELENA INCLUDING TOUR DA DELTA BICYCLE RACE AND A 5K RUN.
  2. $18,847 spent. PARTICIPATED WITH THE ARKANSAS ARTS COUNCIL TO PROMOTE EDUCATION ABOUT BLUES MUSIC, BLUES ARTISTS, AND BLUES HISTORY IN THE DELTA. THIS WAS CONTINUED IN 2024 WITH AGAIN TAKING GREAT CARE TO PROTECT AGAINST COVID19 SPREADING TO PARTICIPANTS.
  3. $340 spent. THE DELTA ROOTS MUSIC FESTIVAL IS NORMALLY A 1-DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL FEATURING VARIOUS GENRES OF MUSIC THAT WERE BORN IN THE DELTA REGION. IN 2024 THIS FESTIVAL WAS NOT PRESENTED. THE FESTIVAL SEEKS TO ALLOW PARTICIPANTS TO EXPERIENCE THE SOUNDS AND TASTES OF THE ARKANSAS DELTA, INCLUDING ALL TYPES OF BLUES MUSIC. IN ADDITION TO A MUSIC LINEUP, THE FESTIVAL ALSO FEATURED ARTS & CRAFTS BOOTHS, FOOD VENDORS, BIKE RIDE, CHILDRENS AREA, AND HARMONICA WORKSHOP. FESTIVAL ADMISSION WAS $25 PER PERSON, CHILDREN 12 AND UNDER WERE FREE ADMISSION.

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 December 1989.

    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.