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Friends of the Big Fresno Fair

EIN 77-0441647 · Fresno, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF AGRICULTURAL AND YOUTH RELATED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS AT THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA'S 21ST DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION'S "BIG FRESNO FAIR"

Income
$426,654
Spending
$765,005
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
11.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
1
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$58,906, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 79% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 February 28, 2026, 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. $161,569 spent. THE FRIENDS OF THE BIG FRESNO FAIR PURCHASES AND CONSTRUCTS ITEMS AND FACILITIES ON BEHALF OF THE BIG FRESNO FAIR. THE PURCHASED AND CONSTRUCTED ITEMS AND FACILITIES ARE LOCATED ON THE GROUNDS OF THE BIG FRESNO FAIR.
  2. $97,500 spent. THE FRIENDS OF THE BIG FRESNO FAIR PROVIDES RECOGNITION AND AWARDS TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY OF FRESNO WHO HAVE ACHIEVED A 4.0 OR BETTER GRADE POINT AVERAGE. THE RECIPIENTS ARE CHOSEN BY THE FRESNO COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION
  3. $57,914 spent. THE FRIENDS OF THE BIG FRESNO FAIR PURCHASES ITEMS FOR THE FRESNO COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM. THE MUSEUM HOUSES THESE ITEMS ON THE GROUNDS OF THE BIG FRESNO FAIR.
  4. $325,217 spent. TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE AGRICULTURAL AND YOUTH RELATED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS AT THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA'S 21ST DISTRICT AGRICULTUAL ASSOCIATION'S "BIG FRESNO FAIR AND TO SUPPORT OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE "BIG FRESNO FAIR"THE FRIENDS OF THE BIG FRESNO FAIR SOLICITS FUNDS FROM THE PUBLIC AND ITS SPONSORS THROUGH ITS "CHAMPIONS CLUB", TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES TO FRESNO COUNTY SCHOOL CHILDREN (MOSTLY 4-H AND FFA CLUB MEMBERS) TO SHOW THEIR LIVESTOCK PROJECTS AT THE BIG FRESNO FAIR. THESE INCENTIVES TAKE THE FORM OF AUCTION AUGMENTATION PAYMENTS AND DIRECT PAYMENTS TO THE WINNERS OF VARIOUS CLASSES.THE FRIENDS OF THE BIG FRESNO FAIR HOSTS A MARCHING BAND REVIEW FOR THE FRESNO COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS DURING THE BIG FRESNO FAIR. CASH PRIZES ARE PROVIDED TO THE SCHOOLS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, 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 February 2026.

    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 January 1997.

    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.