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State Fair of Texas

EIN 75-6002511 · Dallas, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 75 cents.

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

What it says it does

THE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS CELEBRATES ALL THINGS TEXAN BY PROMOTING AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT THROUGH QUALITY ENTERTAINMENT IN A FAMILY-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT. THE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS IS A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WITH PROCEEDS HELPING TO PRESERVE AND IMPROVE FAIR PARK; UNDERWRITE MUSEUM, COMMUNITY, AND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS; AND HELP IMPROVE STATE FAIR OPERATIONS TO HELP PUT ON THE NEXT STATE FAIR OF TEXAS. OUR NONPROFIT PURPOSE IS FUNDED THROUGH THE PROCEEDS FROM THE ANNUAL 24-DAY STATE FAIR OF TEXAS EVENT, WHICH SERVES AS THE ORGANIZATION'S LARGEST FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR.

Income
$81.1 million
Spending
$74.2 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
14.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 87%
Employees
2,559
Volunteers
1,667
Highest pay
$923,003, 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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 75 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 46% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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 (1)
  1. $62.5 million spent. Since its inception in 1886, the State Fair of Texas has celebrated all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment. The 2024 State Fair of Texas welcomed nearly 2.4 million fairgoers through the gates. The State Fair of Texas offers a variety of interactive exhibits focusing on agriculture and livestock - implementing hands-on activities that are both enjoyable and informative. Activities range from feeding furry friends at the petting zoo to learning about different livestock species during daily guided tours through the livestock barns. In addition, each year, thousands of students from around the state work diligently in preparation for the competitive livestock events and leadership contests at the State Fair. The largest of these events, the annual Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction, celebrates the agricultural heritage of our great state, while also providing scholarships and prizes to students all over Texas. The Fair's educational initiatives extend far beyond our 24-day exposition. With education at the very core of our foundation, the State Fair of Texas continues to serve as a showcase for Texas history, agriculture, and the community that connects it all. The Fair expands its educational initiatives to the classroom with an innovative curriculum, created in partnership with Big Thought. The online curriculum combines the unique culture of the Fair with Texas history and agriculture, incorporating it into a TEKS-aligned program that focuses on STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and math) for grades 4 through 12. With a focus on educating visitors about Texas history and agriculture, the Fair offers a unique experience that is both informative and entertaining. As a long-standing Dallas institution, the State Fair of Texas has a distinctive appreciation for the local support that makes such a big event possible every year. With the ultimate goal of having a positive community impact, the Fair aims to give back through our partnerships with local organizations and initiatives. The Fair continues to expand outreach programs while placing a special priority on promoting community involvement at the local level. Our impact in the community focuses on three areas that complement our mission - social capital, human capital, and financial capital. In addition, the Fair seeks to assist food insecurity in the South Dallas/Fair Park area through its Big Tex Urban Farms initiative. Each year, the State Fair of Texas brings guests from all walks of life together for 24 days in celebration of the Lone Star State's evolving culture. Beginning in 1886 as a local gathering place for people to share ideas and learn from new cultures, the annual state fair and exposition in Fair Park became a breeding ground for Texas education and innovation. 2024's theme encompassed one of the many great things the Fair is known for - 24 Day of Fun. The 2024 State Fair of Texas, themed "24 Days of Fun" highlighted a longstanding tradition in the hearts of many Texans - the State Fair of Texas. Known for its larger-than-life exhibition, offering a wide variety of shows, exhibits, shopping, rides, games, and especially food, what better year than 2024 to celebrate all these things with our "24 Days of Fun" commemorative theme art? For 138 years, we have celebrated all things Texan here at the Most Texan Place on Earth, and last year, we paid homage with 24 ways the Fair is fun for everyone. The 2024 State Fair of Texas made a difference in more ways that we can count. Below are just a few of the noteworthy successes from this year's exposition: - The State Fair welcomed nearly 2.4 million fairgoers through the gates; - Approximately $91.4 million was generated in gross coupon sales for food, beverage, and rides, with a majority of funds going to vendors; - More than 69,000 first responders, members of the military, and their families used the special discount in gratitude for their service; - More than 71,250 people enjoyed the return of 15 performances of the State Fair of Texas Rodeo presented by United Ag & Turf in the historic Fair Park Coliseum, with 900 riders participating; - Since 2018, nearly 12.8 million free admission tickets have been given to students and teachers throughout North Texas, and nearly 1,100 free admission tickets were donated to local nonprofit organizations; - Community members got crafty with over 12,000 entries in the Fair's Creative Arts competitions. More than 4,400 ribbons were awarded to folks celebrating their creativity this year. - More than 13,000 livestock entries were entered and processed by our team leading up to the Fair; - Fairgoers came together to donate more than 198,000 pounds of canned food during our 2024 "Feed the Need" promotion, which equated to more than 165,000 meals for the North Texas Food Bank to serve the community that fall; - Ag Awareness Day gathered more than 200 chapters of 4-H, FFA, and FCCLA to participate in the canned food drive, donating more than 30,000 pounds of food to the North Texas Food Bank; - The 76th Annual Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction raised more than $2 million for youth livestock exhibitors; - The Grand Champion Market Steer of the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction was sold to the Big Tex Champion Club for $180,000, a new single-record sale; - Free concerts were once again held on the Chevrolet Main Stage, with Los Pescadores, Jesse & Joy, Wyatt Flores, and The Commodores drawing the largest crowds; - The Fair hosted the Seventh Annual Juanita Craft Humanitarian Awards, awarding four individuals following in Mrs. Craft's footsteps, making a positive impact in their community and in civil rights efforts; - Sensory-Friendly Mornings were held for the sixth time this year for all three Wednesdays of the Fair - reducing noise and lights across the grounds to accommodate those with sensory-related concerns; - More than 144,000 fans

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 2024.

    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 June 1951.

    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.