Fisher Community Fair u0026 Horse Show Grounds | fisherfair.com
Fisher Community Fair u0026 Horse Show Grounds | fisherfair.com
The listed appropriations included grants of $75,000 and $75,000 if two, each designated for programs or services funded by the State of Illinois.
These appropriations represent state-level funding authorized by lawmakers, reflecting what was approved in the budget, not necessarily disbursed. The funds cover only State of Illinois support and exclude federal, local, or other public sources.
Founded in 1941 by A.A. Jones, Jess D. Naffzigger, and Marshall J. Scott, Fisher Community Fair and Horse Show states that its mission is: “The Fisher Community Fair & Horse Show's mission is centered around operating an agricultural fair under the guidance of the State of Illinois Bureau of County Fairs. This mission allows the fair to provide a platform for various programs, particularly catering to farming enthusiasts, thereby making it an engaging event.”
You can learn more about the organization at its website.
In its most recent IRS Form 990 filing filing for tax year 2024, the organization reported $289,948 in total revenue. Of that, $25,503 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 8.8% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $79,268 in contributions overall. It also reported $53,765 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Fisher Community Fair and Horse Show had $467,378 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $489,486, indicating a 4.7% growth in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to Fisher Community Fair and Horse Show declined in the last year, falling from $27,653 in 2023 to $25,503 in 2024—a decrease of 7.8% year-over-year.
However, a Chicago City Wire analysis found that IRS filings frequently contain discrepancies when compared with publicly disclosed government grant reports and budgets.
Fisher Community Fair and Horse Show is one of hundreds of nonprofits across Illinois that receive substantial support from state taxpayers while also fundraising privately.
In 2025, Illinois lawmakers introduced House Bill 1266, also known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Act. The proposal would create a new oversight body within the Office of the Auditor General tasked with identifying cost-saving measures, reviewing agency performance, and advising on audit priorities. If passed, DOGE could bring additional scrutiny and performance evaluation to taxpayer-funded organizations.
According to ProPublica, Illinois has more than 78,000 active tax-exempt organizations, including nearly 60,000 classified as charitable nonprofits. In their most recent IRS filings, these groups reported a combined revenue exceeding $156 billion.
| Fiscal Year | Total Grants/Contracts | Total Taxpayer $$ |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | $150,000 |
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Andy Lee Allen | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Ariel Bunting | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Brandon J Schluter | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Jacob Kesler | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Janet A Hoffman | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Jill Hardesty | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Kalista Lutes | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Kurt Kesler | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Nicholas P Cotter | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Roganne Murray | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Tiffani Ann Lutz | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Todd Cotter | President |
| 2024-2024 | Vernon D Rutledge | Vice-Preside |
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