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Swamp in the City Inc

EIN 88-3568266 · Brooklyn, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceWeak41 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SWAMP IN THE CITY IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WITH A MISSION TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE THE UNIQUE MUSICAL, CULTURAL, AND CULINARY TRADITIONS OF SOUTH LOUISIANA (ACADIANA). BY HOSTING AN ANNUAL CAJUN & CREOLE MUSIC FESTIVAL IN RED HOOK, BROOKLYN, THE ORGANIZATION AIMS TO CREATE A CULTURAL BRIDGE BETWEEN THE BAYOUS OF THE SOUTH AND THE VIBRANT STREETS OF NEW YORK CITY. SWAMP IN THE CITY'S MISSION IS TO HONOR AND CELEBRATE CAJUN AND CREOLE CULTURES THROUGH PRESERVATION, CULTURAL EXCHANGE, COMMUNITY BUILDING, EDUCATION, AND ACCESSIBLE PROGRAMMING. THE ORGANIZATION STRIVES TO ENSURE THAT THESE RICH TRADITIONS THRIVE IN NEW YORK CITY, FOSTERING APPRECIATION AND RESPECT FOR THE DIVERSE HERITAGE OF ACADIANA.

Income
$87,967
Spending
$82,009
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
8.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
0

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% 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

Weak: 41 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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, 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 (3)
  1. $40,616 spent. THE FESTIVAL WAS A GREAT SUCCESS IN 2024 ATTRACTING OVER 1,000 ATTENDEES WITH MORE THAN 35 ARTISTS FROM LOUISIANA. THE 8TH ANNUAL SWAMP IN THE CITY FESTIVAL TOOK PLACE FROM MAY 16-19, 2024, ACROSS VARIOUS VENUES IN RED HOOK. THIS YEAR'S EVENT FEATURED WORLD-CLASS LOUISIANA DANCEHALL BANDS, MUSICAL WORKSHOPS, COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS, JAM SESSIONS, AND FAMILY- FRIENDLY ENTERTAINMENT. NOTABLY, THE FESTIVAL ADOPTED A "PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN" MODEL TO ENSURE INCLUSIVITY AND ACCESSIBILITY. SWAMP AND THE CITY ALSO PRODUCES A MONTHLY DANCE SERIES WITH SUBSIDIZED TICKET PRICING TO KEEP OUR ATTENDEES DANCING AND MUSICIANS TOURING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
  2. $41,393 spent. THE FESTIVAL RETURNED TO BROOKLYN IN 2023, ATTRACTING OVER 1,000 ATTENDEES WITH MORE THAN 30 ARTISTS FROM LOUISIANA. THE 7TH ANNUAL SWAMP IN THE CITY FESTIVAL TOOK PLACE FROM MAY 16-19, 2024, ACROSS VARIOUS VENUES IN RED HOOK. THIS YEAR'S EVENT FEATURED WORLD-CLASS LOUISIANA DANCEHALL BANDS, MUSICAL WORKSHOPS, COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS, JAM SESSIONS, AND FAMILY- FRIENDLY ENTERTAINMENT. NOTABLY, THE FESTIVAL ADOPTED A "PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN" MODEL TO ENSURE INCLUSIVITY AND ACCESSIBILITY.
  3. THE FESTIVAL RETURNED TO BROOKLYN IN 2023, ATTRACTING OVER 1,000 ATTENDEES WITH MORE THAN 30 ARTISTS FROM LOUISIANA. THE 7TH ANNUAL SWAMP IN THE CITY FESTIVAL TOOK PLACE FROM MAY 16-19, 2024, ACROSS VARIOUS VENUES IN RED HOOK. THIS YEAR'S EVENT FEATURED WORLD-CLASS LOUISIANA DANCEHALL BANDS, MUSICAL WORKSHOPS, COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS, JAM SESSIONS, AND FAMILY- FRIENDLY ENTERTAINMENT. NOTABLY, THE FESTIVAL ADOPTED A "PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN" MODEL TO ENSURE INCLUSIVITY AND ACCESSIBILITY.

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

  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 2024.

    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 August 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.