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Camp Fire

EIN 04-2103970 · Lynn, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceGood77 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE, THROUGH PROGRAMS AND INFORMAL EDUCATION, OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL AND TO FUNCTION AS CARING, SELF DIRECTED INDIVIDUALS, RESPONSIBLE TO THEMSELVES AND OTHERS. AS AN ORGANIZATION, WE SEEK TO IMPROVE THOSE CONDITIONS THAT AFFECT YOUTH.

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 48%
Employees
114
Volunteers
21
Highest pay
$160,786, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 36% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (3)
  1. $834,069 spent. CAMP FIRE SUMMER CAMP LOCATED ON 70 ACRES OF WOODS ON THE LYNN/SALEM MASSACHUSETTS LINE PROVIDES CHILDREN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE AN OUTDOOR SUMMER EXPERIENCE. CHILDREN PARTICIPATE IN SWIMMING, MUSIC, SPORTS, NATURE, ARTS AND CRAFTS, DRAMA, HIKING, AND SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAMS.
  2. $954,268 spent. CAMP FIRE SCHOOL AGE CHILD CARE PROGRAMS LOCATED IN SEVEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS PROVIDE A SAFE, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH FIFTH GRADE THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR. CHILDREN PARTICIPATE IN PROJECTS, WORK ON HOMEWORK, AND SPEND TIME PLAYING WITH FRIENDS, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE, IN THE CARE OF THE COMPANY TRAINED, CARING ADULTS.
  3. $406,357 spent. CAMP FIRE'S PRESCHOOL PROGRAM STRIVES TO PROVIDE A SENSORY-RICH ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN TO BE BALE TO SAFELY DISCOVER THE WORLD. TIME IN NATURE IS BALANCED BY CLASSROOM LEARNING OF PRE-ACADEMIC SKILLSS, WHICH ARE PRESENTED ARTISTICALLY AND CREATIVELY TO ASSURE KINDERGARTEN READINESS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1958.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.