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Santa Clara County Fair Grounds Management Corporation Inc

EIN 77-0399864 · San Jose, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENTERTAIN AND PROMOTE THE COMMUNITIES' TRADITIONS, TALENTS, DIVERSITY, VISION, AND ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE, IN A SECURE AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WAY TO PROMOTE EDUCATION FOR THE YOUTH OF THE COUNTY THROUGH EXHIBITS, VOLUNTEERING, TOURS, AND FUNDRAISING EVENTS.

Income
$8.7 million
Spending
$8.3 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
3.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 95%
Employees
19
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$179,557, interim executive director

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 57% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (6)
  1. $1.9 million spent. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT - THE CORPORATION ENTERS INTO A LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH LICENSEES FOR THE TEMPORARY USE OF A DESIGNATED LOCATION ON THE FAIRGROUNDS FOR A SPECIFIC TERM. THE LICENSEE AGREES TO PAY THE CORPORATION A MONTHLY LICENSE FEE IN CONNECTION WITH THE PERMITTED USE. THE CORPORATION ALSO COLLECTS A MONTHLY USE FEE FROM GUESTS FOR THE TEMPORARY USES OF A DESIGNATED SPACE IN THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE LOCATION ON THE FAIRGROUNDS.
  2. $1.5 million spent. COUNTY FAIR - THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY FAIR BRINGS TOGETHER THE BEST OF THE PAST AND THE EXCITEMENT OF TODAY'S TECHNOLOGY IN PRESENTING ITS ANNUAL FAIR PROGRAMMING. THE 4H AND FFA ANIMAL EXHIBITS ALONG WITH MULTIPLE STILL EXHIBITS PROVIDES MUCH TO SEE BY YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE. IN ADDITION TO THE ABUNDANCE OF ENTERTAINMENT, THE CARNIVAL AND THE PRESENTATION OF AN INTERNATIONAL CUISINE OF FOODS PROVIDES SOMETHING FOR ALL INTEREST TO ENJOY AND SHARE.
  3. $1.3 million spent. VENUE SALES & EVENTS - THE FAIRGROUNDS OFFERS A VARIETY OF BUILDING VENUES AND AN ABUNDANCE OF ACRES OF LAND FOR CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. OFFERINGS INCLUDE CONCERTS, FAMILY FUN RUNS, TOY AND REPTILE SHOWS, FIREWORKS AND PET FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES. BUSINESSES HAVE FOUND THE FAIRGROUNDS AS THE PLACE TO HOST THEIR ALL-EMPLOYEE PARTIES WHILE THE FARMERS MARKET AND CAR SHOWS ARE ADDITIONAL ATTRACTIONS TO THE USE OF THE OFFERINGS OUTDOORS.
  4. $891,254 spent. FACILITIES (SHOULD BE ALLOCATED TO EACH PROGRAMS) - INCLUDE COUNTY REIMBURSEMENT AND MISC REVENUE
  5. $844,131 spent. OFF TRACK BETTING - SAN JOSE FAIRGROUNDS BRINGS THE EXCITEMENT OF LIVE HORSERACING VIA SATELLITE ON MULTIPLE VIDEO SCREENS, INCLUDING A FUN FILLED ENVIRONMENT FOR WAGERING ON YOUR FAVORITE HORSE WHILE ENJOYING DELICIOUS FOOD AND YOUR FAVORITE DRINK.
  6. $66,144 spent. HOSTED EVENTS - IN ADDITION TO THE ANNUAL COUNTY FAIR, THE CORPORATION TYPICALLY PRODUCES FOUR (4) EVENTS DURING THE YEAR: HOP 'N VINE FESTIVAL & MARKET, FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION, PUPTOBERFEST, AND THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT MUSIC SERIES (WNMS). REVENUES ARE GENERATED FROM ADMISSION FEES, PARKING FEES, FOOD AND BEVERAGE SALES, SPONSORSHIPS, AND VENDOR REVENUE SHARING.

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 1997.

    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.