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Independence Square Main Street

EIN 87-4107258 · Independence, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceWeak36 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE AN ATTRACTIVE AND FINANCIALLY STABLE DOWNTOWN WHILE PRESERVING OUR HISTORIC RESOURCES AND ENRICHING THE COMMUNITY

Income
$261,297
Spending
$263,730
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 75%
Employees
1
Highest pay
$45,000, executive director

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

Financial health

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 65% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

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

Governance

Weak: 36 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 12 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 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 (3)
  1. $53,273 spent. SQUARE LIGHTING - ISA COORDINATES OVER ONE MILE OF LED HOLIDAY LIGHTS THROUGHOUT THE HISTORIC DISTRICT. PARTICIPATING PLACES MAKE SPACE THROUGHOUT THE SEASON AND DRAW THOUSANDS TO EVENTS, SHOPPING, ETC
  2. $14,408 spent. INDEPENDENCE ROOTS MUSIC FESTIVAL - HIGHLIGHTS THE MUSICAL HERITAGE OF THE INDEPENDENCE AREA AND THE MUSICIANS WHO PERFORM THIS MUSIC TODAY. PERFORMANCES FROM LOCAL WELL-RESPECTED MUSICIANS PLAY TRADITIONAL MUSIC STYLES SUCH AS COUNTRY, FOLK, BLUES AND GOSPEL GENRES. THE FESTIVAL TAKES PLACE ON THE HISTORIC BINGHAM-WAGGONER ESTATE IN INDEPENDENCE.
  3. $10,151 spent. LIVING HISTORY - EVERY SATURDAY JUNE THROUGH AUGUST FROM 10AM-2PM WE SPONSOR FREE LIVING HISTORY TOURS. GUESTS TAKE A MULE-DRAWN COVERED WAGON RIDE THROUGH OUT HISTORIC DOWNTOWN WITH FIRST-PERSON INTERPRETERS WHO TELL THE ORIGIN STORIES OF SETTLERS, SLAVES, AND NATIVE AMERICANS WHILE DRESSED IN PERIOD CLOTHING.

Source: Form 990 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 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 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 April 2022.

    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.