Sun City Tailgaters
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
Sun City Tailgaters is a social club organized for the pleasure and recreation of the residents of Sun City Carolina Lakes (SCCL) and their guests. The club members have a common interest in food preparation and service to and for the SCCL residents. The club members volunteer without pay to prepare and serve food for residents to enjoy and fellowship over food. The club hosts about 100 events a year for various subgroups within the SCCL community.
- Income
- $47,635
- Spending
- $71,036
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- Net proceeds: Net proceeds of Tailgater events were used to fund projects benefitting other Sun City resident exempt 501(c)(7) corporations and the community in general. The organization funded the purchases of several asset for the community, including new grills at the community pavilion. These assets were not going to be replaced by the HOA for several years. The club accelerated their replacement by purchasing them from our net proceeds. Assets belong to the HOA. Since there are many clubs and groups wanting to grill year long, these grills are essential. We provided two.
- Over 500 volunteers donated about 3500 hours to prepare, cook, and serve community clubs and residents at over 100 events during 2025. An estimated 7000 meals were served by Tailgaters in 2025. When Tailgaters handle the prep and cooking and serving and cleaning up, residents can better interact with their friends and neighbors.
- Sun City Tailgaters paid for the installation of crosswalk lights to assist pedestrians safely navigate our major intersection within the community, etc.. Their installation and use should help prevent another pedestrian death at this intersection.
- In 2024 the Tailgaters Club coordinated a community-wide fundraiser after Hurricane Helene devastated the community's softball, pickleball, horseshoes, gardens, disc golf etc at the amenity Waters Edge Park in Sun City Carolina Lakes (SCCL). All funds received were from residents, to be used to assist community clubs. No resident benefitted from the funds received, only community clubs. The funds collected from residents and other clubs in our SCCL community are to restore the playing fields, equipment, functionality, and appearance to pre-Helene status. Donations were voluntary. Because our Club's mission is to benefit our community, Sun City Tailgaters were uniquely prepared to oversee the restoration project. The fundraiser brought in over $25,400, and all funds received were to be used for purchases related to restoration needed at the Waters Edge Park because of the 500-year flood the community suffered. The Tailgaters Club purchased supplies, equipment, mulch, gravel etc for the affected clubs using the funds donated by the community for the community. The Tailgaters Club did not benefit itself from this fundraiser, just the community clubs in our SCCL community.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(7) social or recreational club.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(7) social or recreational club as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2020.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 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.