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Athens Old Fiddlers Foundation

EIN 99-3580896 · Athens, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceWeak25 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ATHENS OLD FIDDLERS FOUNDATIONS MISSION IS TO PRESERVE AND CELEBRATE THE RICH HERITAGE OF TRADITIONAL MUSIC AND FIDDLE MUSIC THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND CULTURAL INITIATIVES. WE AIM TO FOSTER A DEEPER APPRECIATION FOR THIS TIMELESS ART FORM, SUPPORT LOCAL TALENT, AND ENSURE ITS LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS BY ORGANIZING LIVE PERFORMANCES AND MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS. ESTABLISHED AS A TEXAS NONPROFIT CORPORATION ON JUNE 13, 2024, THE FOUNDATION IS A 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION BASED IN ATHENS, TEXAS. IT PLAYS A CENTRAL ROLE IN ORGANIZING THE ANNUAL ATHENS OLD FIDDLERS CONTEST & REUNION, THE LONGEST-RUNNING FIDDLE CONTEST IN TEXAS, DATING BACK TO 1932. THIS FREE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT FEATURES FIDDLING COMPETITIONS, STREET DANCES, ARTS AND CRAFTS, CLASSIC CAR SHOWS, AND WORKSHOPS, DRAWING MUSICIANS AND FANS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THROUGH ITS EFFORTS, THE FOUNDATION ENSURES THAT THE TRADITION OF FIDDLING CONTINUES TO THRIVE IN EAST TEXAS AND BEYOND.

Income
$56,717
Spending
$39,486
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
6.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Employees
0

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

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 25 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    4 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

    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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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, 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. $39,486 spent. FOSTERING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TO SUPPORT LOCAL TALENT AND PRESERVE OUR MUSICAL HERITAGE.

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

  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 October 13, 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 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 June 2024.

    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 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.