Fairytale Town Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Fairytale Town is dedicated to promoting the imagination, creativity and education of children. Our vision is to inspire, educate and strengthen communities through play. Fairytale Town strives to reach out to new audiences through developing innovative and meaningful programming.
- Income
- $3.0 million
- Spending
- $2.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 5.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 60%
- Employees
- 87
- Volunteers
- 200
- Highest pay
- $180,901, 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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 14% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
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, 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)
- $2.3 million spent. Since opening in 1959, Fairytale Town has welcomed families from all over the world through Humpty Dumptys gate into an enchanted realm. Today, we are welcoming our fourth generation of visitors into two and a half acres of magic and fun that have stood the test of time.A nonprofit children's storybook park and education center, Fairytale Town is home to three-dimensional playsets based on favorite fairytales and nursery rhymes, a family of barnyard animals, interactive learning gardens, two performing arts stages, and an off-site adventure playground. Significant physical improvements and innovative programming have established Fairytale Town as an important destination that promotes quality family time, play, creativity, imagination, learning and fun.Fairytale Town remains the only literacy-based park that serves children in this region. Year-round special events and educational programming introduce literacy and creative experiences to approximately 250,000 visitors each year. Park attractions include King Arthurs Castle, the Giants Foot from Jack and the Beanstalk, a Pirate Ship, Robin Hoods Sherwood Forest, Mr. McGregors Garden, and the Mother Goose Stage. Numerous slides are situated in playsets throughout the park, including the Old Woman Who Live in a Shoe slide and Owls Tree House slide. The Crooked Mile is the hands-down favorite set!Now when childrens activities and entertainment tend to be commercial and passive, Fairytale Town is a physically active, imagination-stimulating alternative one that is needed more than ever.
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 August 1962.
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.