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North Carolina Rice Festival Inc

EIN 83-4395857 · Leland, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of the North Carolina Rice Festival Inc. is to attract visitors and residents adults and youth to an annual series of events and related programs to increase awareness of the rice-growing heritage of Brunswick County NC and the cultural connections between the regions Gullah Geechee descendants and the inhabitants of West Africas fabled Rice Coast. Also to showcase the regions unique status as the northernmost area of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor.The NCRF motto is Education through Celebration.

Income
$65,731
Spending
$93,124
Reserves
4.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 66%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 42% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. 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. 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. $28,231 spent. Fourth annual Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Gala designed to celebrate the cultural contributions of the Gullah Geechee people brought to North Carolina as slaves to work the rice fields of the Cape Fear Region of southeastern NC. The Gala features Gullah inspired cuisine catered by a nationally recognized Gullah chef and entertainment by Gullah performers. Attendance in 2025 continued to fill the facility capacity at 182.
  2. $44,316 spent. The fourth North Carolina Rice Festival commemorates the rich history of rice cultivation in the Cape Fear Region and honors the cultural heritage of the Gullah Geechee community. The event showcased a diverse program including six hours of historical and cultural presentations entertainment by Gullah regional and local artists a dedicated Childrens Stage with engaging activities and an exhibit area featuring crafts products and services from forty-eight vendors. This years festival attracted a record-breaking attendance of 5000+ participants marking a 24% increase from the previous year.
  3. $8,087 spent. Hosted our third Ancestry Reveal event where participants provided DNA samples for testing by African Ancestry Inc. At the Reveal event eight participants learned of their ancestry traced to countries and actual tribes in Africa. Attendance was nearly 100 people.
  4. $850 spent. Hosted our second Introduction to the NC Rice Festival event with screening of NCRF-produced documentaries a panel discussion of experts rice process demo and a Q&A session.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 November 6, 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 January 2020.

    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 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.