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Peterson Outdoors Ministries

EIN 27-1922154 · Joplin, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL THERAPY TO WOUNDED VETERANS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND DISABLED YOUTH AND ADULTS.

Income
$462,743
Spending
$300,258
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
8.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
2
Volunteers
504
Highest pay
$64,168, president

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
  1. $199,313 spent. PETERSON OUTDOORS MINISTRIES PROVIDES FOR EACH VETERAN OR DISABLED PERSON AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS WHO CHOOSE TO ACCOMPANY THEM; TRAVEL EXPENSES, FOOD, LODGING, AND HUNTING OR FISHING LICENSES AT EACH EVENT THEY ATTEND. IN 2024, PETERSON OUTDOORS MINISTRIES MINISTERED TO 310 VETERANS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, FIRST RESPONDERS AND FAMILY MEMBERS. 2024 EVENTS INCLUDE: FEMALE VET CROSSBOW HUNT AT LOH (2 VETERANS), DAY OF PRAYER AT LOH, VETERANS MENS ENCOUNTER MEDIA TRAINING (4 VETERANS), VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION SUMMIT (5 VETERANS) KAYAK DEMO FOR VETS AND EZ DOCK DEDICATION (10 VETERANS), COYOTE PREDATOR HUNT AT LOH (6 VETERANS) VETERANS MENS ENCOUNTER AT LOH (50 VETERANS - 30 FAMILY), MILITARY CHAPLINS TURKEY HUNT AT LOH (7 VETERANS - 4 FAMILY) FEMALE VETERANS TURKEY HUNT AT LOH ( 2 VETERANS), FIRST RESPONDERS MENS ENCOUNTER AT LOH (2 VETERANS - 15 FAMILY) DAY AT THE LAKE FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES (60 VETERANS - 15 FAMILY), CALIFORNIA -1ST RESPONDERS RETREAT LACSD & TORRENCE CA PD AT LOH (11 EXTERNAL MEMBERS), 2ND VETERANS MENS ENCOUNTER WEEKEND (25 VETERANS - 20 FAMILY), VETERANS MENS ENCOUNTER (45 VETERANS - 20 FAMILY), FIRST RESPONDER AND FAMILY APPRECIATION DAY AT LOH (150 EXTERNAL MEMBERS), FEMALE VETERANS CROSSBOW DEER HUNT AT LOH (2 VETERANS), HEROS HUNTING FOR HOPE VETERANS DEER HUNT (10 VETERANS - 8 FAMILY), ONE-ON-ONE WITH PTSD VETERANS (8 VETERANS), CARTHAGE FIRST CHRISTIANS CHURCH MENS GROUP (10 EXTERNAL MEMBERS), MILFORD CHRISTIAN CHURCH-DESCIPLESHIP TRAINING ( 30 EXTERNAL MEMBERS), FEMALE SPOONBILL TRIP (4 VETERANS) SHULTES MID MO SAND SPRINGS LODGE TURKEY HUNT (2 VETERANS), 2ND SHULTES MID MO SAND SPRINGS TURKEY HUNT ( 2 VETERANS), FISHING FOR HOPE BASS TRNY (8 VETERANS 100 EXTERNAL MEMBERS), VETS AT THE BALLPARK (25 VETERANS) ANNUAL BANQUET AND AUCTION FUNDRAISER (300 EXTERNAL MEMBERS), EUREKA SPRINGS JEEP JAM (20 VETERANS - 1,000 EXTERNAL MEMBERS) RALLY 66 CAR SHOW (5 VETERANS), SHULTES SAND SPRINGS LODGE CROSSBOW DEER HUNT (2 VETERANS), VETERANS WATERFOWL HUNT AT WHISTLING WINGS LODGE (4 VETERANS)

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? 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 June 2010.

    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.

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