Boone County Fair Association, Logo | https://scontent.fmnl4-2.fna.fbcdn.net/
Boone County Fair Association, Logo | https://scontent.fmnl4-2.fna.fbcdn.net/
The listed appropriations included two grants of $100,000 and $98,800, plus an additional grant of $93,300, all 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 1855, Boone County Fair Association states that its mission is: “To encourage, support, and promote the growth and development of urban and rural communities of Boone County by highlighting the community's heritage and its ties to agriculture, industry, and business—the backbone of the community.”
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 $2,382,650 in total revenue. Of that, $115,269 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 4.8% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $173,550 in contributions overall. It also reported $58,281 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Boone County Fair Association had $3,492,660 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $3,617,120, indicating a 3.6% growth in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to Boone County Fair Association increased in the last year. The group received $100,984 in government grants in 2023, compared to $115,269 in 2024—an increase of 14.1% 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.
Boone County Fair Association 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 | 3 | $292,100 |
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Ar Henninger | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Bad Walter | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Bob Scherer | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Brian O'Dell | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Bryson O'Dell | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Dave Tinberg | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Dean Alan Page | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Don Ellwanger | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Ed Kasper | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Ed Cosman | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Gordan Butt | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Hunter Walter | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Iris Viola Humphry | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Jason Schmeling | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Jeff Vance | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Jeremy Meyers | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Jo Ellen Coleman | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Joe Muzzillo | Director |
| 2024-2024 | John Nall | Director |
| 2024-2024 | John Henninger | Vice Preside |
| 2024-2024 | John M Ratcliffe | President |
| 2024-2024 | Kelly Christensen | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Ken Fidder | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Melissa M Irwin | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Rick O'Dell | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Rocky Temple | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Russell Caldwell | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Ruth A Blasingame | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Shannon Walter | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Sharyn Geske | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Sheri R Bochmann | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Susan Banks | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Teri Keegan | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Thomas Ratcliffe | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Todd Hegge | Director |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | James J Lentz | - | |
| 1999 | Rodney Paulson | - |
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