Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Hamptonswhodunit Inc

EIN 93-2109870 · East Hampton, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HAMPTONS WHODUNIT IS AN ANNUAL MYSTERY AND CRIME FESTIVAL THAT TAKES PLACE IN EAST HAMPTON VILLAGE. FOUNDED IN 2023 TO CREATE EXCITING AND AFFORDABLE OFF-SEASON PROGRAMMING FOR THE EAST HAMPTON COMMUNITY, THE FESTIVAL GATHERS CELEBRATED MYSTERY AND THRILLER AUTHORS AND TRUE CRIME EXPERTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN PANELS AND SOCIAL EVENTS WITH AUDIENCE MEMBERS. ADDITIONALLY, THE FESTIVAL OFFERS A BROAD EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT AND INTERACTIVE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, SUCH AS SIMULATED CRIME SCENES TO LEARN FORENSIC SKILLS; TOURS THAT DESCRIBE THE MORE MYSTERIOUS HISTORY OF OUR REGION; AND IMMERSIVE ESCAPE ROOMS THAT REQUIRE PROBLEM-SOLVING. WE WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR NON-PROFIT NEIGHBORS, EAST HAMPTON LIBRARY, ST. LUKES, AND THE EAST HAMPTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY, AS WELL AS THE VILLAGE BOOK STORE, BOOKHAMPTON. OUR FESTIVAL IS COMMITTED TO REMAINING INTEGRATED WITH THE YEAR-ROUND EAST HAMPTON COMMUNITY. IT IS OUR PRIORITY TO WORK WITH OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS, RESTAURANTS, INNS, AND BUSINESSES AND REMA

Income
$323,017
Spending
$239,092
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 51%
Employees
0
Volunteers
9

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.0 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 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $223,000 spent. PREMIER MYSTERY & TRUE CRIME FESTIVAL - CREATE EXCITING AND AFFORDABLE OFF-SEASON PROGRAMMING FOR THE EAST HAMPTON COMMUNITY AND A BROAD EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT AND INTERACTIVE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 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 July 2023.

    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.