Life Camps Incorporated
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
PROVIDE YOUTH AND FAMILIES, IMPACTED BY VIOLENCE, TOOLS TO LAUNCH SUSTAINABLE CAREERS, AVERT INCARCERATION, & OPTIMIZE TALENT SO THAT HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES CAN MAKE A SOCIAL IMPACT THAT IMPROVES LIFE FOR OUR FELLOW GLOBAL CITIZENS.
- Income
- $6.3 million
- Spending
- $7.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- -0.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 82%
- Employees
- 62
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $200,001, chief exec o
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
Weak: 26 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 94% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 21% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 7 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
10 of 10Gave 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
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (3)
- $3.0 million spent. THE CURE VIOLENCE (CV) TEAM ACTIVELY ENGAGED WITH OVER 20,000 COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITHIN THE CATCHMENT AREA WE SERVE AND ITS SURROUNDING REGIONS. THIS OUTREACH INCLUDED INITIATIVES SUCH AS HOOD TO THE WOODS, PEACE WEEK, AND GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH, ALL AIMED AT PROMOTING PEACE AND RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF GUN VIOLENCE.
- $211,507 spent. THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD FROM JULY 1, 2024, TO JUNE 30, 2025, LIFE CAMP CONSISTENTLY PROVIDED SUPPORT TO NYC YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS, SCHOOLS AND THE COMMUNITY IN SOUTHEAST QUEENS. THIS SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCED THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS, STAFF AND THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. OUR ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN ADDRESSING HIGH RATES OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY. PROGRAMS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: A. GIANT THINKINGS MIND UP CLASS: PROVIDED PARTICIPANTS WITH A PROGRAM THATUTILIZED PHYSICAL EXERCISE TO ALLEVIATE STRESS AND ENHANCE MENTAL CLARITY. PARTICIPANTS BENEFITED FROM THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES AIMED AT REDUCING STRESS LEVELS AND IMPROVING COGNITIVE FUNCTION. B. FINANCIAL LITERACY: PARTICIPANTS ACQUIRED INVALUABLE INSIGHTS INTO THE PRINCIPLES OF SAVING AND WEALTH MANAGEMENT, TRANSCENDING MERE MATERIAL POSSESSIONS. THIS KNOWLEDGE EQUIPS THEM WITH ESSENTIAL SKILLS TO NAVIGATE PERSONAL FINANCES, MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS, AND CULTIVATE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL STABILITY, EMPOWERING THEM TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS AND SECURE THEIR FINANCIAL FUTURES. C. URBAN YOGIS: PARTICIPANTS DEEPLY ENGAGED IN MEDITATION AND YOGA SESSIONS, CULTIVATING A PROFOUND SENSE OF INNER PEACE AND OVERALL WELL- BEING. FOR PARTICIPANTS, THIS PRACTICE SERVES AS A POWERFUL TOOL FOR MANAGING STRESS, TRAUMA, AND CHALLENGING EMOTIONS, OFFERING A PATHWAY TO HEALING AND RESILIENCE AMIDST ADVERSITY. D. ANIMATION INITIATIVE: AN 8-12 WEEK PROGRAM HEAVILY CONCENTRATED ON ARTS EDUCATION, DJING, COMPOSITION AND RECORDING, GRAPHIC AND FASHION DESIGN, ANIMATION, AND FILM AND TV PRODUCTION. PROGRAMMING OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOCIAL INTERACTIONS WHILE CREATING A SPACE FOR PERSONAL EXPLORATION OF EACH INDIVIDUAL'S PERSONAL INTERESTS. E. ANTI GUN VIOLENCE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM THE ANTI-GUN VIOLENCE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (AGVEP) OPERATES AS A YEAR-ROUND EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE TAILORED FOR INDIVIDUALS AGED 14 TO 24 WHO FACE THE RISK OF EITHER PERPETUATING OR FALLING VICTIM TO GUN VIOLENCE. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN PROJECTS CRAFTED TO FOSTER SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND PROFESSIONAL ADVANCEMENT, AIMING TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE WHILE NURTURING PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. F. WORK LEARN GROW: THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES PAID INTERNSHIPS AND CAREER READINESS TRAINING TO YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS. THERE IS A FOCUS ON BUILDING UPON SKILLS LEARNED THROUGH THE SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (SYEP). THE PROGRAM OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO EXPLORE CAREER PATHS, DEVELOP ESSENTIAL WORK SKILLS, AND EVEN EARN COLLEGE CREDIT. G. SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM INITIATIVE FOR YOUTH EMPLOYMENT, FOSTERING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN NYC YOUTH AGED 14 TO 24 AND INVALUABLE CAREER EXPLORATION OPPORTUNITIES ALONGSIDE PAID WORK EXPERIENCE DURING EACH SUMMER. SYEP EMPOWERS PARTICIPANTS TO DELVE INTO DIVERSE INTERESTS AND CAREER PATHS, FOSTERING THE DEVELOPMENT OF EFFECTIVE WORKPLACE HABITS WHILE ENGAGING IN ENRICHING LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT BOLSTER THEIR SOCIAL, CIVIC, AND LEADERSHIP PROFICIENCIES. SUPERVISING FIVE SCHOOLS, LIFE CAMP SERVED A CUMULATIVE TOTAL OF 3,000 STUDENTS ACROSS MULTIPLE PROGRAMS. THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD FROM JULY 1, 2024, TO JUNE 30, 2025, LIFE CAMP CONSISTENTLY PROVIDED SUPPORT TO NYC YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS, SCHOOLS AND THE COMMUNITY IN SOUTHEAST QUEENS. THIS SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCED THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS, STAFF AND THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. OUR ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN ADDRESSING HIGH RATES OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY. PROGRAMS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: A. GIANT THINKINGS MIND UP CLASS: PROVIDED PARTICIPANTS WITH A PROGRAM THATUTILIZED PHYSICAL EXERCISE TO ALLEVIATE STRESS AND ENHANCE MENTAL CLARITY. PARTICIPANTS BENEFITED FROM THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES AIMED AT REDUCING STRESS LEVELS AND IMPROVING COGNITIVE FUNCTION. B. FINANCIAL LITERACY: PARTICIPANTS ACQUIRED INVALUABLE INSIGHTS INTO THE PRINCIPLES OF SAVING AND WEALTH MANAGEMENT, TRANSCENDING MERE MATERIAL POSSESSIONS. THIS KNOWLEDGE EQUIPS THEM WITH ESSENTIAL SKILLS TO NAVIGATE PERSONAL FINANCES, MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS, AND CULTIVATE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL STABILITY, EMPOWERING THEM TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS AND SECURE THEIR FINANCIAL FUTURES. C. URBAN YOGIS: PARTICIPANTS DEEPLY ENGAGED IN MEDITATION AND YOGA SESSIONS, CULTIVATING A PROFOUND SENSE OF INNER PEACE AND OVERALL WELL- BEING. FOR PARTICIPANTS, THIS PRACTICE SERVES AS A POWERFUL TOOL FOR MANAGING STRESS, TRAUMA, AND CHALLENGING EMOTIONS, OFFERING A PATHWAY TO HEALING AND RESILIENCE AMIDST ADVERSITY. D. ANIMATION INITIATIVE: AN 8-12 WEEK PROGRAM HEAVILY CONCENTRATED ON ARTS EDUCATION, DJING, COMPOSITION AND RECORDING, GRAPHIC AND FASHION DESIGN, ANIMATION, AND FILM AND TV PRODUCTION. PROGRAMMING OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOCIAL INTERACTIONS WHILE CREATING A SPACE FOR PERSONAL EXPLORATION OF EACH INDIVIDUAL'S PERSONAL INTERESTS. E. ANTI GUN VIOLENCE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM THE ANTI-GUN VIOLENCE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (AGVEP) OPERATES AS A YEAR-ROUND EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE TAILORED FOR INDIVIDUALS AGED 14 TO 24 WHO FACE THE RISK OF EITHER PERPETUATING OR FALLING VICTIM TO GUN VIOLENCE. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN PROJECTS CRAFTED TO FOSTER SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND PROFESSIONAL ADVANCEMENT, AIMING TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE WHILE NURTURING PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. F. WORK LEARN GROW: THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES PAID INTERNSHIPS AND CAREER READINESS TRAINING TO YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS. THERE IS A FOCUS ON BUILDING UPON SKILLS LEARNED THROUGH THE SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (SYEP). THE PROGRAM OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO EXPLORE CAREER PATHS, DEVELOP ESSENTIAL WORK SKILLS, AND EVEN EARN COLLEGE CREDIT. G. SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM INITIATIVE FOR YOUTH EMPLOYMENT, FOSTERING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN NYC YOUTH AGED 14 TO 24 AND INVALUABLE CAREER EXPLORATION OPPORTUNITIES ALONGSIDE PAID WORK EXPERIENCE DURING EACH SUMMER. SYEP EMPOWERS PARTICIPANTS TO DELVE INTO DIVERSE INTERESTS AND CAREER PATHS, FOSTERING THE DEVELOPMENT OF EFFECTIVE WORKPLACE HABITS WHILE ENGAGING IN ENRICHING LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT BOLSTER
- $1.7 million spent. THE THERAPEUTIC WELLNESS DEPARTMENT (TWS) PROVIDED DIRECT SERVICES AND WELLNESS ACTIVATIONS TO 10,000 COMMUNITY MEMBERS, IN SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, CBOS AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE NATION. THOSE IMPACTED INCLUDED HIGH-RISK YOUTH AFFECTED BY TRAUMA, PARENTS COPING WITH THE LOSS OF CHILDREN TO GUN VIOLENCE, AND FRONTLINE STAFF FACING STRESS. THESE SERVICES ENCOMPASSED A RANGE OF EVENTS SUCH AS ADVOCACY, EDUCATION, AND PUBLIC OUTREACH. ADDITIONALLY, 1,000 REFERRALS WERE MADE TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES LIKE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AND EMERGENCY HOUSING, ADDRESSING CRITICAL NEEDS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
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
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 June 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 August 2006.
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.