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Salems Riverfront Carousel Inc

EIN 91-1815668 · Salem, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood76 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY BY INVIGORATING COMMUNITY COHESIVENESS, FOSTERING CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, CREATING A LIVING HISTORY AND INCREASING TOURISM.

Income
$443,872
Spending
$465,841
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
6.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 56%
Employees
14
Volunteers
140
Highest pay
$92,300, executive dir.

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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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, 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 (1)
  1. $319,601 spent. SALEM'S RIVERFRONT CAROUSEL (THE CAROUSEL) IMPROVED THE QUALITY OF COMMUNITY LIFE IN OREGON BY OPERATING A BUILDING WHICH HOUSES A BEAUTIFUL HANDCARVED WOODEN CAROUSEL THAT ADULTS AND CHILDREN OF ALL AGES ENJOY. OPERATIONS FOR 2021 INCLUDED THE MAINTENANCE OF THE CAROUSEL AND THE CAROUSEL BUILDING AS WELL AS PROVIDING PAID CAROUSEL RIDES, FREE RIDES ON CHRISTMAS DAY AND NEW YEARS DAY, FREE RIDES FOR THE DISABLED AND FREE RIDES TO MILITARY FAMILIES. IN ADDITION THE CAROUSEL HOSTED COMMUNITY EVENTS, INCLUDING SANTA'S ARRIVAL BY TRAIN (WITH THE HELP OF PORTLAND WESTERN RAILROAD). THE CAROUSEL HOSTED BIRTHDAY PARTIES, PRIVATE AFTER HOURS EVENTS AND TOURS/GROUP VISITS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

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 November 6, 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 April 1998.

    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 November 4, 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.