Conservation Corps of Long Beach
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO SUPPORT YOUNG ADULTS IN REALIZING THEIR POTENTIAL THROUGH WORK, SERVICE, CONSERVATION, AND EDUCATION.
- Income
- $19.1 million
- Spending
- $17.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 3.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 94%
- Employees
- 411
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $237,527, executive director/ceo
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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 16% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 50% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 27 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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)
- $14.1 million spent. ON ANY GIVEN DAY, MORE THAN 150 CORPSMEMBERS AGES 18-26 PERFORM A WIDE ASSORTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS THROUGHOUT LONG BEACH AND SURROUNDING CITIES (SUCH AS SIGNAL HILL, LAKEWOOD, PARAMOUNT, LYNWOOD, AND SOUTH GATE) INCLUDING CATALINA ISLAND, THE ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST, THE CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST AND ALONG THE LOWER LOS ANGELES RIVER. THESE PROJECTS INCLUDE PLANTING AND CARING FOR TREES, ABATING LITTER THAT IS AT-RISK FOR GETTING INTO OUR WATERWAYS, PROVIDING WASTE DIVERSION ASSISTANCE, BUILDING COMMUNITY GARDENS, CONSTRUCTING PARKS, MAINTAINING WETLANDS, BUILDING TRAILS, RESTORING NATIVE HABITATS, AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT IMPORTANT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. CORPSMEMBERS ARE LED BY PROFESSIONAL STAFF SKILLED IN ARBORICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, BIOLOGY, CONSTRUCTION, AGRICULTURE, ECOLOGY, AND OTHER RELEVANT DISCIPLINES NEEDED TO PROVIDE CCLB'S PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. CCLB EDUCATES AND TRAINS CORPSMEMBERS PROVIDING THE JOB SKILLS AND SUPPORT FOR THEM TO GAIN VALUABLE WORK EXPERIENCE, EARN INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED CERTIFICATIONS, AND EXPLORE VARIOUS CAREER PATHWAYS.CCLB IS A CALIFORNIA LOCAL CERTIFIED CONSERVATION CORPS. ONLY 14 CORPS IN THE STATE CURRENTLY QUALIFY FOR THIS DESIGNATION. THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS IS OVERSEEN AND ADMINISTERED BY THE CALIFORNIA CONSERVATION CORPS (CCC) AND WAS INITIALLY A DESIGNATION THAT SERVED THE DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCES RECYCLING AND RECOVERY, OR CALRECYCLE. SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1987 THROUGH THE CALIFORNIA BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING AND LITTER REDUCTION ACT, LOCAL CERTIFIED CORPS ACROSS THE STATE RECEIVE FUNDING TO SUPPORT LITTER ABATEMENT AND RECYCLING ACTIVITIES IN THEIR CATCHMENT AREAS. THROUGH THE REDUCTION ACT, THE CCC IS THE RESPONSIBLE ENTITY TO ENSURE THAT FUNDING IS ONLY DISTRIBUTED TO CERTIFIED CORPS' THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH A RIGOROUS PROCESS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE ELIGIBLE ANNUALLY BY THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:- YOUNG ADULTS DESIRING TO BECOME A CORPSMEMBER ARE MOTIVATED TO WORK.- PARTICIPATION AND COMMITMENT IS FOR AN INITIAL ONE YEAR PERIOD.- THE LOCAL CORPS OPERATES BY WORK CREWS - CORPSMEMBERS WORKING IN SMALL GROUPS WITH A CREW SUPERVISOR AT THE HELM.- THE LOCAL CORPS PROGRAM INCLUDES EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES (VOCATIONAL, CHARTER, AND/OR POST-SECONDARY), WORK EXPERIENCE, AND FURTHER PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES.- CORPSMEMBERS ARE PAID AT LEAST MINIMUM WAGE.- CORPSMEMBERS HAVE ACCESS TO POST-PROGRAM CAREER DEVELOPMENT.- WORK PROJECTS OFFER OPPORTUNITIES IN RECYCLING AND LITTER ABATEMENT, AS WELL AS OTHER KEY PROJECTS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PARK DEVELOPMENT AND RESTORATION, AND FIRE FUELS REDUCTION.- EACH CORPS MUST MAINTAIN AN ENROLLMENT OF AT LEAST 50 YOUNG ADULTS AGES 18-26.IN ADDITION TO ACCESSING CALRECYCLE FUNDING THROUGH THIS PROCESS, LOCAL CERTIFIED CORPS ARE TYPICALLY ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE FOR OTHER STATE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES WHEREAS CORPS THAT ARE NOT CERTIFIED ARE NOT ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS.AS PART OF THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS, CORPSMEMBERS ARE INTERVIEWED BY CCC STAFF TO REVIEW THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH RECRUITMENT AND ENROLLMENT, PROJECT WORK EXPERIENCE, JOB TRAINING, EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES, PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH TRANSITION AND JOB PLACEMENT SUPPORT RECEIVED. THE VOICE OF THE CORPSMEMBER IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF THIS ANNUAL PROCESS. ADDITIONALLY, SOME GOVERNMENT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES ALSO AWARD MORE POINTS TO APPLICANTS WHO COMMIT TO CONTRACTING WITH CERTIFIED LOCAL CORPS TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
- CONSERVATION CORPS OF LONG BEACH (CCLB) IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION FOUNDED IN 1987 TO SUPPORT YOUNG ADULTS AGES 18-26 AS THEY REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL THROUGH WORK, SERVICE, CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION. CORPSMEMBERS, MANY OF WHOM COME FROM AND LIVE IN HISTORICALLY UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES, AS WELL AS COMMUNITIES WHERE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ISSUES LIKE INADEQUATE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD, AIR AND WATER POLLUTION, AND INADEQUATE TRANSPORTATION ARE PREVALENT. THEY ARE TYPICALLY NO LONGER IN SCHOOL OR WORKING AND FACE MULTIPLE LIFE CHALLENGES. OUR FOCUS IS ASSET-BASED, AND WE PRIDE OURSELVES IN "MEETING YOUNG PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE" RATHER THAN HAVING THEM FIT INTO A PRECONCEIVED BOX. WE PRIORITIZE CONSERVATION-FOCUSED SERVICE PROJECTS AND CAREER TRAINING IN ADDITION TO MEETING OTHER COMMUNITY NEEDS. OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CASE MANAGED AS SUCH AND PROVIDED WITH THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO MOVE BEYOND THE RACIAL INEQUITIES THAT EXIST IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND INTO FUTURES THAT NEED THE EXPERTISE THAT THEY BRING WITH THEM AND A SUPPORT SYSTEM THAT EXISTS WHILE THEY ARE GETTING A SOLID FOOTING.THROUGH CCLB, CORPSMEMBERS GAIN WORK EXPERIENCE AND DEVELOP IN-DEMAND SKILLS. ON ANY GIVEN DAY, MORE THAN 100 CORPSMEMBERS PERFORM A WIDE ASSORTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL WORK PROJECTS THROUGHOUT LONG BEACH AND SURROUNDING CITIES AND COMMUNITIES INCLUDING CATALINA ISLAND, THE ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST, THE CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST AND ALONG THE LOWER LOS ANGELES AND SAN GABRIEL RIVERS. THESE PROJECTS INCLUDE PLANTING AND CARING FOR TREES, ABATING LITTER THAT IS ON A TRAJECTORY TOWARDS MAJOR WATERWAYS, RECYCLING, AIDING IN DISASTER RELIEF AND REBUILDING, CREATING FIRE RESILIENT WILDLANDS, CREATING DROUGHT-TOLERANT LANDSCAPES, BUILDING COMMUNITY GARDENS, CONSTRUCTING PARKS, MAINTAINING WETLANDS, BUILDING, AND MAINTAINING TRAILS, RESTORING NATIVE HABITATS, AND EVEN EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT IMPORTANT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
- PROVIDING SUPPORTIVE SERVICES IS CENTRAL TO THE MISSION OF CCLB AND HELPING YOUNG ADULTS REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL. OUR OVERARCHING GOAL IS TO CREATE CAREER PATHWAYS AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT WHEN PUT TOGETHER PROGRAMMATICALLY, REDUCE AND/OR REMOVE BARRIERS TO LONG-TERM SUCCESS. THE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES PROVIDED ARE DESIGNED TO AID CORPSMEMBERS IN THEIR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WHILE THEY ENGAGE IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION WORK. THESE PROGRAMS ARE STRUCTURED TO PROVIDE NOT JUST JOB TRAINING BUT ALSO EDUCATIONAL AND LIFE SKILLS SUPPORT TO HELP PARTICIPANTS SUCCEED IN THEIR CAREERS AND COMMUNITIES. THE SPECIFIC SUPPORTIVE SERVICES OFFERED VARY BY INDIVIDUAL NEED, BUT TYPICALLY INCLUDE:- EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SUCH AS HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA COMPLETION AND COLLEGE COURSEWORK, AS WELL AS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION. THIS SUPPORT OFTEN INCLUDES TUTORING AND MENTORSHIP TO HELP PARTICIPANTS ACHIEVE THEIR EDUCATIONAL GOALS.- JOB TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT THROUGH HANDS-ON TRAINING, CLASSROOM-BASED LEARNING, AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING. THIS INCLUDES CERTIFICATIONS IN FIRST AID/CPR, RESUME WRITING WORKSHOPS, JOB PLACEMENT SERVICES, AND CAREER COUNSELING TO HELP CORPSMEMBERS TRANSITION INTO THE WORKFORCE.- LIFE SKILLS TRAINING THAT PREPARES CORPSMEMBERS FOR SUCCESS BEYOND THE PROGRAM INCLUDING FINANCIAL LITERACY, TIME MANAGEMENT, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND TEAMWORK.- HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING ON SAFE WORK PRACTICES, USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, THE PROPER USAGE OF HAND TOOLS, AND CERTIFICATIONS RELATED TO THE SAFE OPERATION OF MACHINERY SUCH AS BAILERS AND FORKLIFTS.- SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE ANNUALLY THROUGH ONGOING FUNDRAISING EFFORTS AND THROUGH THE AMERICORPS PROGRAM. IN-HOUSE, WE PROVIDE MORE THAN $25,000 ANNUALLY TO CORPSMEMBERS AND ALUMNI PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION.WE ARE PROUD TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING CORPSMEMBERS EVEN AFTER THEY SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE PROGRAM (TYPICALLY A ONE-YEAR COMMITMENT).- HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE ARE PROVIDED AS NEEDED DIRECTLY AND THROUGH REFERRALS TO OTHER AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.- MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS SUPPORT IS PROVIDED DIRECTLY AND AGAIN HERE, THROUGH REFERRALS TO OTHER AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. CCLB OFFERS COUNSELING SERVICES AND WELLNESS ACTIVITIES (SUCH AS ROPES COURSES AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES) TO SUPPORT THEIR OVERALL WELL-BEING AND EXPOSURE TO THE RESOURCES IN THE REGION PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY AND CULTURALLY.
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 January 1993.
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.
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