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Downtown Events Group Inc

EIN 75-3175987 · Des Moines, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PRODUCING ANNUAL LARGE-SCALE FESTIVALS AND EVENTS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE, ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN GREATER DES MOINES.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
4
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$389,385, president

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

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 78% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    35 of 35 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (4)
  1. $382,501 spent. THE FESTIVAL BEGAN IN 2005 AND IS A THREE-DAY EVENT WHICH CELEBRATES IOWA'S DIVERSITY AND CULTURE. IT ENCOMPASSES CULINARY VENDORS THAT HIGHLIGHT CUISINE FROM AROUND THE GLOBE, PROFESSIONAL COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS, INTERACTIVE CULTURAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS, DANCERS AND MUSICIANS. AUTHENTIC CULTURAL EXPERIENCES ARE ENJOYED BY ALL. ATTENDANCE HAS REACHED OVER 100,000 PEOPLE OVER THE THREE-DAY EVENT. THE EXPENSES INCURRED REFLECT ALL COSTS INCURRED IN CARRYING OUT THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE EVENT
  2. $400,039 spent. DOWNTOWN DES MOINES FARMERS MARKET THE MARKET, WHICH DATES BACK TO 1976, IS HELD EACH SATURDAY FROM MAY TO OCTOBER. THE MARKET BOASTS OVER 320 VENDORS AND AVERAGES MORE THAN 35,000 IN ATTENDANCE EACH WEEK. IN ADDITION, AN INDOOR WINTER MARKET IS HELD OVER ONE WEEKEND IN NOVEMBER. THE NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED MARKET INCLUDES A VARIETY OF VENDORS AND PRODUCT OFFERINGS AND IS PRODUCED, OPERATED, AND MANAGED BY THE ORGANIZATION.
  3. $13,424 spent. ACTIVATIONS ARE SURPRISE AND DELIGHT MOMENTS THAT DOWNTOWN RESIDENTS, VISITORS AND EMPLOYEES CAN STUMBLE UPON AND ENJOY. PREVIOUS ACTIVATIONS HAVE INCLUDED; HIDE & SEEK ORNAMENTS YOU KEEP, THE GREAT DSM HOT AIR BALLOON HUNT, OUT TO LUNCH AND MORE. THESE EVENTS OFFER DES MOINES (DSM) NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE AND SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES IN DOWNTOWN DSM.
  4. $445,921 spent. OTHER PROGRAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE OUT-TO-LUNCH, BANNERS, SPARK DSM, WINTER MARKET, AND HOLIDAY PROMENADE.

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 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 December 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 2005.

    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.