Promote Carmel Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 8% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Promote Carmel's mission is to promote the City of Carmel, Indiana, it's events and unique qualities to visitors and residents as part of a broader mission to sustain pride in and attract potential residents to Carmel. Promote Carmel operates "All Things Carmel", a gift shop that acts as a visitors center and further exemplifies Carmel's diverse and talented community by selling craft goods made by artisans across the City of Carmel.
- Income
- $100,190
- Spending
- $267,036
- Spent on programs
- 8%
- Reserves
- 9.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 100%
- Employees
- 11
- Highest pay
- $48,750, officer
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
Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 167% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 85% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 158% 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $12,445 spent. Advertising and promotion fees for the All Things Carmel store, which acting as a subsidiary of Promote Carmel, Inc, hosted various publicly attended events throughout 2024. These events were intended to familiarize residents and visitors with the City and its upcoming event schedule., Further, All Things Carmel's goods predominantly consist of skillfully made craft by artisans throughout the community of the City of Carmel and demonstrate the culture that Promote Carmel, Inc emphasizes when attracting potential new residents or businesses to the city of Carmel.
- $6,856 spent. Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any Federal, State, or local officials intended for visiting dignitaries to gain an understanding and appreciation of what makes the City of Carmel a preferable destination to live, conduct business, or partake in recreational activities in.
- $712 spent. Royalties paid for sales of the works of various artisans from the City of Carmel in connection with Promote Carmel's exempt purpose of showcasing the City's local artisans and attracting potential future residents or businesses to the area.
- $568 spent. See Schedule O.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2022.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.