Chewonki Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Chewonki inspires transformative growth, teaches appreciation and stewardship of the natural world, and challenges people to build thriving, sustainable communities throughout their lives.
- Income
- $8.0 million
- Spending
- $8.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 68%
- Reserves
- -6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 59%
- Employees
- 268
- Volunteers
- 29
- Highest pay
- $168,607, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 20% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1568% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2522 of 22 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
0 of 10Did not give 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 August 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 (4)
- $1.4 million spent. Camp Chewonki - provides a residential camp program for all genders focused on nature, sustainability, outdoor skills, community building, and outdoor expeditions. There is also a leadership expedition-based program for older youth that travels to the woods and waters of Maine, along its rocky coast, and into Canada's northern forest and waters.
- $3.0 million spent. Chewonki Schools - Maine coast semester at Chewonki is a challenging academic semester (two groups each year) for 45 highly motivated and academically capable 11th-grade students from around the country and abroad.
- $1.3 million spent. Education Partnership The outdoor program for schools offers environmental education as part of day trips, overnight encampments, and outdoor trip programs in Maine and New England for school groups. The educational goals emphasize compassion for one another, building self-confidence, and stewardship of the natural world. Chewonki science educators teach natural history programs to more than 20,000 students each year throughout Maine. Chewonki partners in more depth with two local school districts (Bath and Wiscasset) to facilitate active, outdoor, and community-connected learning throughout the Pre-K-12 program.
- $293,827 spent. Other Program Services Includes the Big Eddy Campground and Debsconeag Lake Camp, fundraising, store activity, farm operations, and programing under the environmental living and learning for Maine students collaborative.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, 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 August 2025.
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 July 1964.
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.