↑ parent cluster · ·
research dossier →

SOUTHWESTERN FAIR COMMISSION INC

TUCSON, AZ · EIN 860294014 · Form 990 · FY2021 · NTEE N52Z · Recreation & Sports · Large ($10M-$50M) · www.pimacountyfair.com
revenue
$10.2M
expenses
$6.6M
net assets
$9.7M
employees
48
volunteers
9
program ratio
92%
mission · from form 990

TO MANAGE AND CONDUCT THE OPERATIONS OF THE PIMA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS,INCLUDES THE ANNUAL FAIR, CONCERTS, SHOWS, AND OTHER EVENTS.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Pima County Fairgrounds hosts the annual Pima County Fair, offering a variety of entertainment including carnival rides, concerts, rodeo events, and agricultural exhibits. The organization focuses on providing a family-friendly experience with accessibility accommodations and community engagement through programs like the "Read and Ride" literacy initiative. It serves as a major event venue in Tucson, Arizona.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2021

what they reported doing

Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.

  1. #1 primary $751K
    HORSESHOW AND LIVESTOCK EVENTS
  2. #2 $694K
    CONCERTS AND INTERIM EVENTS
named programs · 6 · from sources

what they call their work

Disability Advocate Program
Provides assistance and accommodations for attendees with disabilities to ensure an inclusive fair experience.
GCPRA Rodeo
Professional rodeo event held during the fair, presented by Barrio Brewing Company.
Kiddie Land Carnival
Dedicated carnival area with rides suitable for young children, including family bathrooms and changing tables.
Mother's Convenience Area
Private area for parents with infants and toddlers for changing, napping, and feeding, located in Kiddie Koral.
Pima County Fair
Annual event featuring carnival rides, concerts, rodeo, 4-H and livestock events, and various attractions for all ages.
Read and Ride Program
Literacy program encouraging young fairgoers to read three books to earn two free carnival rides.
activities · 10 clusters

what they do

  • County and Regional Fair Operations 3 activities
    • Competitive Exhibitions and Contests
      Organizes and hosts a wide range of competitive events at the Pima County Fair, including judging for artists, crafters, bakers, photographers, culinary home arts, student art, and livestock such as dairy goats, pigeons, and poultry, offering participants recognition and awards.
    • Operation and Management of Pima County Fairgrounds and Fair
      Operates and manages the Pima County Fairgrounds and hosts the annual Pima County Fair, including producing events such as horse shows and music festivals, and hosting various clubs and associations.
    • Operation and Management of Pima County Fairgrounds and Fair
      Operates and manages the Pima County Fairgrounds and hosts the annual Pima County Fair, including producing various events such as horse shows and music festivals, and providing facilities for other organizations like the Tucson Kart Club and Southern Arizona Eventing Association.
  • Discounted and Incentivized Event Access 2 activities
    • Admission and Carnival Promotions
      Offers various admission and carnival promotions including free admission for children aged 5 and under, discounted admission for seniors and military personnel, free admission for teachers and student exhibitors, and discounts on carnival rides and games through specific promotions.
    • Fair Admission and Accessibility Services
      Offers various admission options including free entry for children 5 and under, discounted rates for seniors and military personnel, and free admission for teachers and student exhibitors. The fair also provides extensive accessibility services such as ADA parking, accessible restrooms, wheelchair seating, elevated viewing areas, and mobility device rentals.
  • Youth Food Drive Coordination 2 activities
    • Community Engagement and Charitable Initiatives
      Hosts canned food drives on specific Sundays, offering free fair admission for food donations that benefit the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, and provides a platform for commercial vendors to engage with nearly 300,000 visitors annually.
    • Community Engagement and Charitable Initiatives
      Hosts canned food drives on specific Sundays, offering free admission to the fair for visitors who donate three cans of food, benefiting the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.
  • Visitor Experience & Public Engagement 2 activities
    • Fairground Facility Improvement
      Invests millions of dollars into improvements for the fairground facilities to enhance the visitor experience and operational capabilities.
    • Fairground Facility Improvements
      Invests millions of dollars into improvements for the fairground facilities to enhance the visitor experience and operational capabilities.
  • Reading Incentive Programs at Fairs 2 activities
    • Literacy Promotion through "Read and Ride Program"
      Operates a "Read and Ride Program" that encourages literacy among young fairgoers by offering two free carnival rides in Kiddie Land Carnival to children who read three books.
    • Literacy Promotion through "Read and Ride Program"
      Operates a "Read and Ride Program" that promotes literacy by offering two free carnival rides in Kiddie Land Carnival to young fairgoers who read three books.
  • Event Accessibility & Experience Enhancement 1 activity
    • Accessibility Services and Amenities
      Provides various accessibility services including permanent and portable accessible bathrooms, accessible ramps and viewing areas for concerts and grounds entertainment, ADA parking, and permits trained service animals.
  • Child Safety & Engagement at Community Events 1 activity
    • Guest Services and Safety
      Manages a lost and found service for fair attendees and provides a service at guest services where child specialists care for lost children until they are reunited with their families.
  • Certified Autism Center Operations 1 activity
    • Guest Services and Support
      Offers guest services such as mobility device rentals (strollers, wagons, wheelchairs, scooters), a lost and found service, and care for lost children by child specialists until reunification with families.
  • Expo & Festival Vendor Platforms 1 activity
    • Vendor and Sponsorship Opportunities
      Provides a platform for commercial vendors and exhibitors to showcase and sell products to nearly 300,000 visitors annually, and offers sponsorship opportunities for engagement with Tucson residents and visitors from Mexico.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Competitive Exhibitions and Contests
      Organizes judging and competitive events for various categories including arts, crafts, baking, photography, culinary home arts, student art, and livestock (dairy goats, pigeons, poultry) at the Pima County Fair, offering recognition and prizes.
financials · form 990 · fy2021

the money

revenue
Total revenue$10.25M
Contributions & grants$1.07M10%
Program service revenue$8.13M79%
Investment income$15K0%
Other revenue$1.04M
expenses
Total expenses$6.58M
Program expenses92%
Admin / overhead8%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$2.09M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$10.45M
Cash$5.48M
Investments$0
Liabilities$702K
Net assets$9.75M
Liquid reserves10.0 mo
2 years on record · 2020–2021 · YoY revenue +356.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
JON BAKER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $172K
BRYON LOPEZ FORMER CFO 40 $117K
board members · 7
  • ALAN LEVIN — DIRECTOR
  • GARRETT HAM — PRESIDENT
  • JIM MURPHY — DIRECTOR
  • JUDITH PATRICK — SECRETARY
  • MARIAN LALONDE — DIRECTOR
  • MARK COWLEY — TREASURER
  • MARVIN SELKE — DIRECTOR
relationships · 16

who they work with

  • Barrio Brewing Company Partner — Presents the GCPRA Rodeo at the fair.
  • Barrio Brewing Company Partner — Presents the GCPRA Rodeo.
  • Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona Partner — Receives food donations from fairgoers in exchange for free admission on specific days.
  • Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona Partner — Recipient of canned food donations collected during the fair's food drives.
  • GCPRA Partner — Rodeo organization that presents the rodeo at the fair.
  • Pima County Government — Established the Southwestern Fair Commission, Inc. in 1975 to operate the fairgrounds and fair, and has a management agreement with the commission.
  • Pima County Government — Established the organization in 1975 to operate the fairgrounds and Pima County Fair, and has a management agreement with the commission.
  • Pima County Sheriff Department Partner — Receives unclaimed lost items after 14 days.
  • RCSfun.com Partner — Carnival provider recognized for ride safety and family fun.
  • Ray Cammack Shows, Inc. Partner — Provides carnival entertainment to the Pima County Fair and has been a partner for nearly 30 years.
  • Southern Arizona Eventing Association Partner — Hosted at the Pima County Fairgrounds.
  • Tucson Dragway Partner — Subleases motorized event facilities for annual IHRA events.
  • Tucson Kart Club Partner — Hosted at the Pima County Fairgrounds.
  • Tucson Speedway Partner — Subleases motorized event facilities for annual pavement racing events.
  • Vista Mobility Partner — Provides mobility device rentals at the fair's main entrance.
  • Vista Mobility Partner — Provides mobility services at the fair's main entrance.