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Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School Inc

EIN 34-2007841 · Baltimore, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO INSPIRE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND SELF-DISCOVERY IN PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND WALKS OF LIFE THROUGH CHALLENGE AND ADVENTURE AND TO IMPEL THEM TO ACHIEVE MORE THAN THEY EVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE, TO SHOW COMPASSION FOR OTHERS AND TO ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN CREATING A BETTER WORLD.

Income
$5.7 million
Spending
$4.6 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 44%
Employees
75
Volunteers
46
Highest pay
$170,581, executive director

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

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 127% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 30 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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. $3.4 million spent. CHESAPEAKE BAY OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL, INC PROVIDES ITS STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS WITH CHALLENGING EXPERIENCES THAT ARE SAFELY STRUCTURED TO ENHANCE LEADERSHIP, SELF-ESTEEM, SELF-RELIANCE, CONCERN FOR OTHERS, SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AND CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, BACKPACKING EXCURSIONS, ROCK CLIMBING TRIPS AND CANOEING. OUTWARD BOUND COURSES CREATE YOUNG LEADERS THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN THE WILDERNESS.OUTWARD BOUND AWARDS UP TO $3.7 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO 6,000 STUDENTS EACH YEAR.

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 February 2005.

    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.

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.