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American Camping Association Inc New England Section

EIN 04-2076741 · Lexington, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NEW ENGLAND CAMPING ASSOCIATION SERVES AS THE LEADING SOURCE FOR CAMP INFORMATION AND RESOURCES IN THE NEW ENGLAND REGION. IT IS A COMMUNITY OF CAMP PROFESSIONALS WHO, FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, HAVE JOINED TOGETHER TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE, TO ENSURE TOP QUALITY FOR ALL CAMPING PROGRAMS.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$953,740
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
19.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
11
Volunteers
285
Highest pay
$168,302, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (2)
  1. $338,196 spent. DATA SHOWS US CAMPING PROGRAMS ARE NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER. TO ENSURE WE DELIVER THE HIGHEST QUALITY PROGRAMS, ADHERING TO THE TOP HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS, THE ASSOCIATION'S PROGRAM AND SERVICES INCLUDE: PROMOTING THE VALUE OF A QUALITY CAMP EXPERIENCE; PROVIDING THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE AND RELIABLE CAMP-RELATED RESOURCES IN PRINT AND ONLINE; ADMINISTERING THE ACA ACCREDITATION PROGRAM IN NEW ENGLAND AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT ITS IMPORTANCE; ESTABLISHING AND FURTHERING BEST PRACTICES IN THE SUMMER CAMP INDUSTRY THROUGH EXCELLENT EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES; AND OFFERING ONLINE RESOURCES FOR THE CAMP-SEEKING PUBLIC ON HOW TO CHOOSE A WELL-SUITED CAMP. IN TODAY'S UNPREDICTABLE, EVER-CHANGING WORLD, THE NEW ENGLAND CAMPING ASSOCIATION WILL PREPARE CAMP STAFF, PROGRAM AND ITS FACILITY FOR POSITIVE OPERATIONS EACH SEASON. THIS ASSURES CHILDREN AND FAMILIES HAVE A CONSISTENT, SPECIAL PLACE TO ENCOUNTER A SAFE, NON-JUDGMENTAL COMMUNITY, ENGAGE IN CHARACTER BUILDING, ENHANCE SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENJOY HEALTHY LIVING.
  2. $303,106 spent. SPRING CONFERENCE - THE SPRING CONFERENCE IS THE ASSOCIATION'S LARGEST EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR CAMP PROFESSIONALS. THE ASSOCIATION SERVES OVER 800 PEOPLE EACH MARCH WITH AN EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE THAT SUPPORTS THEIR WORK IN THE CAMPING FIELD. THERE ARE SESSIONS ON MANY ASPECTS OF OPERATING CAMPS INCLUDING STAFFING, PROGRAM, RISK MANAGEMENT, STATE REGULATIONS, TRANSPORTATION, FOOD MANAGEMENT, AND HEALTHCARE ISSUES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1950.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.