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Fresh Air Fund

EIN 13-1656653 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE NYC CHILDREN FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WITH CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL, AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES AT ITS CAMPS AND WITH VOLUNTEER HOST FAMILIES AND THROUGH YEAR-ROUND ACADEMIC PROGRAMS.

Income
$21.2 million
Spending
$23.6 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
49.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 72%
Employees
649
Volunteers
31
Highest pay
$376,082, 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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 49.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    31 of 31 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $10.6 million spent. THE FRESH AIR FUND'S CAMPING PROGRAMS TAKE PLACE YEAR-ROUND ON THE FUND'S SHARPE RESERVATION AND DURING THE SUMMER AT HARRIMAN STATE PARK. IN THE SUMMER, 3,500 NEW YORK CITY CHILDREN LEARN AND GROW THROUGH IMMERSIVE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES. CAMPERS SWIM AND ROW BOATS ON THE LAKE, STARGAZE, HIKE NATURE TRAILS AND LEARN ABOUT ANIMALS AND WHERE THEIR FOOD COMES FROM AT THE CAMP FARM AND NUTRITION CENTER. CAMPERS RETURN HOME WITH MORE CONFIDENCE, NEW SKILLS AND NEW FRIENDS. DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, CAMPERS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN YEAR-ROUND LEADERSHIP AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM THROUGH TUTORING AND MENTORING PROGRAMS. THE FUND'S ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH A STRONG NETWORK OF SUPPORT ON THEIR ACADEMIC JOURNEY THROUGH ITS CAREER AWARENESS PROGRAM, THE COLLEGE CONNECTIONS PROGRAMS AND ITS TEEN LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS.
  2. $3.4 million spent. THE FRESH AIR FUND'S SHARPE RESERVATION IN FISHKILL, NY, HAS OVER 2,000 ACRES OF BEAUTIFUL LAND WITH LAKES, PONDS, STREAMS AND HIKING TRAILS THROUGH THE WOODS. DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, OVER 10,000 PEOPLE FROM COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL GROUPS IN THE TRISTATE REGION PARTICIPATE IN OUR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. WE OFFER STUDENT, AND COMMUNITY GROUP HANDS-ON, INTERACTIVE, EXPERIENCE TO LEARN ABOUT THE THE ENVIRONMENT AND EXPLORE NATURE. GROUPS VISIT THE SHARPE ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, THE GUSTAFSON PLANETARIUM, OUR HIGH AND LOW ROPES COURSES, AND THE NUMEROUS NATURE TRAILS ACROSS THE RESERVATION. OUR PROGRAMS ARE CUSTOMIZED TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF EACH GROUP. WE FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND OUTDOOR LEARNING THROUGH TEAM-BUILDING, PROBLEM SOLVING, CRITICAL THINKING, AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION ALONG WITH RICH LEARNING ON CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
  3. $2.6 million spent. APPROXIMATELY 2,000 FRESH AIR CHILDREN VISIT RUAL, SUBURBAN AND SMALL-TOWN COMMUNITIES ALONG THE EAST COAST AND SOUTHERN CANADA, CALLED FRIENDLY TOWNS, DURING THE SUMMER. DURING THE ONE OR TWO WEEK VISITS WITH VOLUNTEER HOST FAMILIES, CHILDREN AND THEIR HOSTS FORM BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP BY SHARING PERSONAL, DAY-TO-DAY EXPERIENCES. CHILDREN TRAVEL TO A NEW PLACE, DEVELOP INDEPENDENCE, MAKE NEW FRIENDS, LEARN NEW SKILLS, AND GAIN A NEW PERSPECTIVE, ALL WHILE MAKING MEMORIES AND HAVING FUN. EVERY HOST FAMILY GOES THROUGH A RIGOROUS SCREENING PROCESS INCLUDING A HOME VISIT, INTERVIEW, REFERENCES AND A BACKGROUND CHECK. MANY FRESH AIR CHILDREN ARE RE-INVITED TO STAY WITH THE SAME HOST FAMILY YEAR AFTER YEAR AND FORM FRIENDSHIPS THAT LAST A LIFETIME. CHILDREN ON FIRST-TIME VISITS ARE SEVEN TO 13 YEARS OLD. REINVITED CHILDREN MAY CONTINUE THROUGH AGE 18 AND MAY ENJOY EXTENDED TRIPS.
  4. $1.3 million spent. THE FRESH AIR FUND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH A STRONG NETWORK OF SUPPORT ON THEIR ACADEMIC JOURNEY. FROM TUTORING AND MENTORING TO COLLEGE TOURS AND JOB SHADOWINGS OUR STUDENTS LEARN AND GROW WITH FRESH AIR BY THEIR SIDE. FRESH AIR CAREER AWARENESS PROGRAM, COLLEGE CONNECTIONS PROGRAM, YOUNG WOMEN'S GIVING CIRCLE, CIRCLE OF BROTHERHOOD, FRESH AIR TEEN PROGRAMS, FRESH AIR FAMILY WELLNESS AND FRESH AIR SUMMER SPACES. ALL PROGRAMMING IS CONNECTED TO THE FUND'S POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK TO DEVELOP INNER STRENGTH; BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND SUPPORT NETWORKS; EXPAND PERSPECTIVES AND SET GOALS; AND TAKE ON CHALLENGES AND LEARN LIFE SKILLS.

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 November 6, 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 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 April 1933.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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