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Friends of Outdoor School

EIN 27-4657069 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FRIENDS OF OUTDOOR SCHOOL CONNECTS, SUPPORTS, AND ADVOCATES FOR ALL OF OREGON'S DIVERSE STUDENTS TO LEARN AT INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE OUTDOOR SCHOOL PROGRAMS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, INSPIRE YOUTH, PROMOTE PERSONAL GROWTH, AND EMBRACE JUSTICE.

Income
$414,617
Spending
$532,874
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
11.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
3
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$95,332, 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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (2)
  1. $451,133 spent. PROGRAM AND PLACE NETWORK - AS OUTDOOR SCHOOL PROGRAMMING EXPANDS ACROSS THE STATE, SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES MUST BE ADDRESSED TO ENSURE ADEQUATE CAPACITY, HIGH QUALITY, AND FULL INCLUSION. THIS NETWORK OF OUTDOOR SCHOOL SITES AND PROVIDERS MAKES IT EASIER TO MARSHAL RESOURCES, ADVANCE PROGRAM QUALITY, EXPAND OUTDOOR SCHOOL TO ALL OREGON STUDENTS, AND PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR SHARING SUCCESS STORIES. DURING THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR, THIS NETWORK MANAGED BY FODS:* GATHERED STORIES FROM PROGRAMS AND SITES ABOUT THEIR NEEDS TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND IMMERSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS.CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O. * CONNECTED PROGRAMS AND SITES TO ONE ANOTHER SO THAT THEY CAN GROW A STRONG, COHESIVE, AND INFLUENTIAL NETWORK DEDICATED TO EXCELLENT EDUCATION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT.* HOSTED MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES FOR OUTDOOR SCHOOL STAFF MEMBERS ACROSS THE STATE TO LEARN, SHARE, AND COLLABORATE. * PROMOTED EFFORTS AND MADE CONNECTIONS WITH KEY PARTNERS TO REDUCE BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION IN ODS FOR STUDENTS.* SUPPORTED WORK NATIONALLY TO EXPAND OUTDOOR SCHOOL FOR ALL.* PROVIDED EXPERTISE TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND BUILD THE CAPACITY OF THE OREGON ODS SYSTEM; AND* HELPED ODS PROGRAMS AND SITES TROUBLESHOOT PROBLEMS. COMMUNITY NETWORK - THROUGH THE OUTDOOR SCHOOL COMMUNITY NETWORK WE HARNESS THE HOPES, DREAMS, AND STORIES OF STAKEHOLDERS AROUND OREGON TO ADVOCATE ABOUT AND FOR OUTDOOR SCHOOL. THESE STAKEHOLDERS ARE FORMER STUDENTS; FAMILY MEMBERS; FORMER AND CURRENT OUTDOOR SCHOOL EDUCATORS; TEACHERS; CHAMPIONS OF OUTDOOR EDUCATION; AND ANYONE INTERESTED IN OUTDOOR SCHOOL. THEIR PERSPECTIVES ARE CRITICAL IN TELLING THE STORY OF OUTDOOR SCHOOL AND HELPING FRAME AND REALIZE THE VISION THAT OUTDOOR SCHOOL IS A PLACE WHERE EVERY CHILD CAN BELONG. THROUGH COMMUNICATIONS, OUTREACH, AND COMMUNITY EVENTS WE CONTINUE TO GATHER AND AMPLIFY THE VOICES OF THE COMMUNITY SO THAT DECISION-MAKERS UNDERSTAND THE POWERFUL IMPACT AND PROMISE OF OUTDOOR SCHOOL FOR OREGONIANS. DURING THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR, THIS NETWORK MANAGED BY FODS:* GATHERED TO CELEBRATE AND SHARE IN THE JOY OF ODS.* GENERATED MEDIA COVERAGE ABOUT ODS AND THE PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT IT;* LINKED COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESSES TO THEIR LOCAL ODS PROGRAMS AND SITES AND ENCOURAGED COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THEIR LOCAL ODS PROGRAMS AND SITES; AND* COLLECTED AND PROMOTED STORIES FROM THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THEIR ODS EXPERIENCE.OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE OUTDOOR SCHOOL PROGRAM - FODS PROVIDED A VARIETY OF EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT FOR THE OSU EXTENSION SERVICE OUTDOOR SCHOOL PROGRAM INCLUDING:* SUPPORTED OSU EXTENSION OUTDOOR SCHOOL IN SHARING INFORMATION WITH DECISION-MAKERS ABOUT THE OUTCOMES AND IMPACT OF STATEWIDE OUTDOOR SCHOOL FUNDING, AND THE CONTINUED IMPORTANCE OF THOSE FUNDS.* COLLABORATED ON PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THEIR ODS PARTNERS IN IMPLEMENTING HIGH QUALITY, ENGAGING, AND RESPONSIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING.* COLLABORATED ON RESEARCH AND EVALUATION SHOWING THE AMAZING POSITIVE OUTCOMES STUDENTS EXPERIENCE FROM ODS WHILE SHINING A LIGHT ON WHERE WE CAN (AND MUST) IMPROVE TO REALIZE THE FULLY INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE ODS WE WORK TOWARD EACH DAY.* PARTNERED TO EXPAND ACCESS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO BENEFIT FROM PARTICIPATING IN ODS AND DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP AND CAREER SKILLS.* PROVIDED EXPERTISE AND PERSPECTIVE ON A VARIETY OF POLICY DECISIONS.* CONNECTED THE OUTDOOR SCHOOL COMMUNITY WITH THE KEY CONTACTS AT OSU EXTENSION.* COMMUNICATED PROGRAM DATA TO DECISION-MAKERS AND SHARED CONSTITUENCY AND STAKEHOLDERS.* MANAGED STIPENDS FOR LOW-INCOME COMMITTEE PARTICIPANTS; AND* COHOSTED CONFERENCES AND VIRTUAL GATHERINGS TO SUPPORT ODS PROGRAMS AND SITES.
  2. $35,354 spent. ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING - FODS LEADS THE ADVOCACY EFFORTS FOR OREGON'S STATEWIDE ODS PROGRAM. DURING THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR, FODS:* MOBILIZED ADVOCATES TO SPEAK UP AGAINST A 20% CUT IN OUTDOOR SCHOOL FUNDING.* ENGAGED LEGISLATORS AND OTHER DECISION-MAKERS WITH PERSONAL TOURS AT ODS.* SHARED PERSONAL STORIES ABOUT ODS, PROVIDERS, AND SITES WITH LEGISLATORS AND OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS.* CHAMPIONED STATE FUNDS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO AND OFFER AFFIRMING AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATION EXPERIENCES AT ODS.CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O. * WORKED WITH THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO IDENTIFY AND REMOVE BARRIERS TO FULL PARTICIPATION FOR ALL OREGON STUDENTS AT ODS WHILE ENSURING ODS SUPPORTS AND ALIGNS WITH STATE AND LOCAL EDUCATION PRIORITIES.* ENDORSED MEANINGFUL LEGISLATION PROPOSED BY OUR CAMP, EDUCATION, AND EQUITY PARTNERS.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since April 2011.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.