Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show Inc

EIN 74-1016713 · Mercedes, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceFair53 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT THAT PROMOTES FAMILY, COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTEERISM. WE STRIVE TO PROMOTE THE YOUTH OF SOUTH TEXAS THROUGH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION, AND COMPETITION WITH A GOAL OF CREATING LEADERS OF TOMORROW.

Income
$9.4 million
Spending
$8.9 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
-1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 83%
Employees
29
Volunteers
700

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 50 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 53 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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 April 30, 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 (2)
  1. $8.3 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED A TEN DAY SHOW FOR STUDENTS TO EXHIBIT THEIR ANIMALS, ART, HORTICULTURE, AND SHOP PROJECTS. THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY LIVESTOCK SHOW AWARDED AN ESTIMATED $1,377,500 DURING THE MARCH 2024 SHOW. THESE AWARDS INCLUDED: MARKET PREMIUMS, BREEDING PREMIUMS, OTHER PREMIUMS, VARIOUS AUCTION RE-SALE, VARIOUS AWARDS AND PRIZES. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO AWARDED 62 SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING $42,550.
  2. $292 spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED A TWO DAY SHOW CENTERED AROUND CITRUS AND VEGETABLES IN ORDER TO EDUCATE YOUTH AND PROMOTE AGRICULTURE. STUDENT MEMBERS OF 4-H, FFA, AND FFCLA THROUGHOUT THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY IN GRADES 3RD TO 12TH PARTICIPATED IN A NUMBER OF EVENTS FROM AG PRODUCT ID TO POSTER CONTESTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending April 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1950.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.