Central Washington Fair Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
PRODUCE AN ANNUAL AGRICULTURAL FAIR AND DEVELOP YEAR-AROUND USE OF FACILITIES. (SEE SCHEDULE O)WITH A COMMITMENT TO:- PRESERVE AND DEVELOP OUR HISTORIC GROUNDS AND YEAR-ROUND MULTI-USE FACILITIES; - OFFER QUALITY AND DIVERSITY OF ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS, AND EDUCATION; - PROVIDE A SAFE, FRIENDLY, AND ENJOYABLE ENVIRONMENT; - ACKNOWLEDGE THE INVOLVEMENT OF DEDICATED PEOPLE AND GROUPS; - BUILD ON THE TRADITION OF OUR FIRST 100 YEARS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
- Income
- $5.9 million
- Spending
- $6.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 7.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 94%
- Employees
- 246
- Volunteers
- 1,893
- Highest pay
- $244,881, president/ceo
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
Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 11% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 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.
Independent check of accounts
9 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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, 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)
- $2.3 million spent. PRODUCE AN ANNUAL AGRICULTURAL FAIR AND DEVELOP YEAR-AROUND USE OF FACILITIES. WITH A COMMITMENT TO:PRESERVE AND DEVELOP OUR HISTORIC GROUNDS AND YEAR-ROUND MULTI-USE FACILITIES; OFFER QUALITY AND DIVERSITY OF ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS, AND EDUCATION; PROVIDE A SAFE, FRIENDLY, AND ENJOYABLE ENVIRONMENT; ACKNOWLEDGE THE INVOLVEMENT OF DEDICATED PEOPLE AND GROUPS; BUILD ON THE TRADITION OF OUR FIRST 100 YEARS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
- $1.5 million spent. INTERIM EVENTS-NON SUNDOME & OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE AREAS SUCH AS THE YAKIMA COUNTY STADIUM, THE MODERN LIVING BUILDING, PIONEER HALL, THE DIRT TRACK, AND THE STATE FAIR ROOM. OTHER ACTIVITIES ALSO INCLUDED OUR ANNUAL HOLIDAY LIGHT FEST AND OUR ANNUAL COMMUNITY 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION. THE UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MANY HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AT STATE FAIR PARK HELP CREATE MEMORABLE EVENTS YEAR-ROUND.
- $960,212 spent. THE YAKIMA VALLEY SUNDOME WHICH HAVE A MAJOR ECONOMIC IMPACT FOR THE YAKIMA VALLEY. SUNDOME EVENTS INCLUDE CONCERTS, TRADESHOWS, WASHINGTON STATE INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES AND COMPETITIONS, PROFESSIONAL RODEOS, LOCAL GRADUATIONS, AND LARGE GALA DINNERS.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 1992.
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 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.