Northwest Washington Fair Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE NORTHWEST WASHINGTON FAIR IS TO PROVIDE: 1) EDUCATION REGARDING AGRICULTURE - PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE, 2) EXPERIENCES WITH POSITIVE COMPETITION, AND 3) ENJOYMENT OF WHOLESOME ENTERTAINMENT, SOCIAL INTERACTIONS, AND LASTING MEMORIES.
- Income
- $5.3 million
- Spending
- $4.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 63%
- Reserves
- -4.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 79%
- Employees
- 273
- Volunteers
- 12
- Highest pay
- $122,971, manager
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 15% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 31% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1563% 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
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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)
- $2.9 million spent. THE ASSOCIATION HOLDS AN ANNUAL FAIR WHICH OFFERS AFFORDABLE FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT WITH DIVERSE ATTRACTIONS FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE. MULTI-PURPOSE FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE AND UTILIZED BY THE COMMUNITY AND THERE IS AN ARRAY OF DIFFERENT EVENTS OF INTEREST TO THE COMMUNITY.
- $124,465 spent. THE FAIR OFFERS OPPORTUNITY FOR EXHIBITORS OF ALL AGES TO DISPLAY THEIR TALENTS AND COMPETE IN 4H, FFA AND OPEN CLASS COMPETITIONS.
- THE FAIR PRESENTS A MULTITUDE OF EDUCATIONAL AGRICULTURE SHOWCASES INCLUDING SMALL ANIMAL EXPERIENCE, DAIRY MATERNITY AND FARMING FOR LIFE.
- THE ASSOCIATION IS CURRENTLY BUILDING A NEW AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER AT THE NORTHWEST WASHINGTON FAIRGROUNDS IN WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON TO PROMOTE, ENCOURAGE, AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. THE CENTER WILL COLLABORATE ON SIGNIFICANT PRIORITIES FOR WASHINGTON AGRICULTURE AND SERVE AS A RESOURCE FOR INDUSTRY, AREA ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES, LEGISLATORS, THE PUBLIC, AND THE MEDIA.
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 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 2024.
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 October 1994.
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.