Muddy Sneakers Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To awaken in children a deeply felt connection with the natural world - one that inspires curiosity, stimulates learning, and brings new life to classroom performance.
- Income
- $1.5 million
- Spending
- $1.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 60%
- Reserves
- 10.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 34%
- Employees
- 69
- Volunteers
- 10
- Highest pay
- $121,840, 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
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 10.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1560% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 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 42% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 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)
- $983,789 spent. Annual Partnerships and Curriculum Integration: Muddy Sneakers partners with 5th-grade classrooms to integrate outdoor, experiential science instruction into the academic curriculum. This program ensures continuity between classroom instruction and outdoor experiences supporting teachers through planning resources, collaboration, and professional alignment with North Carolina Essential Standards. During the 2024-2025 season: --Partnered with 29 North Carolina schools for sustained programming --17 of these schools were served through Partnerships despite being impacted by Hurricane Helene --Engaged 1,520 individual students through repeat outdoor learning experiences. --Delivered a total of 205 Annual Partnership programs
- After-School and Summer Program Extension: To extend experiential learning beyond traditional school hours, Muddy Sneakers invested in elevating after-school and summer experiences. During the 2024-2025 season: --1022 students enrolled across 10 summer camp experiences --213 students enrolled in after-school experiences --Counties served: Buncombe, Jackson, Macon, Rowan, and Wake Counties
- Expand Reach Through Additional Offerings: During the 2024-2025 season, Muddy Sneakers initiated Choose Your Own Adventure programs to provide schools with limited resources opportunities to participate in outdoor experiential science education. In addition, Muddy Sneakers launched pilot programs aligned with 3rd and 4th-grade state standards to introduce outdoor science instruction to younger students. --913 students participated in Choose Your Own Adventure Programs --333 3rd and 4th-graders participated in pilot programs --An additional 120 learners were reached through public programs
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 December 2008.
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.