Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Outdoor Youth Exploration Academy Inc

EIN 35-2062273 · Indianapolis, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Outdoor Youth Exploration Academy - OYEA! is dedicated to guiding and empowering young individuals by fostering the cultivation of essential life and leadership skills while nurturing a profound understanding of environmental responsibility through engaging outdoor sporting experiences. At OYEA!, our fundamental aim is to enlighten urban youth about their pivotal roles as keepers of our environment while imparting enduring outdoor recreational expertise. We take pride in organizing community cleanups that instill a sense of communal pride and advocate for the safeguarding of our urban waterways. Moreover, our initiatives encompass comprehensive training in fishing, archery, and target shooting with air rifles, disciplines often overlooked in urban settings but which hold the potential for college scholarships and participation in prestigious Olympic sporting events.

Income
$92,419
Spending
$117,227
Reserves
3.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Highest pay
$10,375, office administrator

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 27% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 (10)
  1. In CY2025, OYEA, Inc celebrated its 25th year of empowering lower-income, urban youth across Central Indiana. This year, the organization served more than (600) young people and their families through hands-on, outdoor education; recreation; conservation projects; and family engagement experience. Our youth learned low-cost, lifelong skills in fishing and archery, participated in a community-based clean up of the Fall Creek waterway, and joined their families and our funders for major events like the Indianapolis 500, Brickyard 400, and the Indiana State Fair. A defining strength of OYEA, Inc is our adult mentoring model which provides consistent guidance, encouragement, and positive role modeling for youth facing social and economic barriers. With certified instructors, trusted community relationships, and a commitment to expanding access; OYEA, Inc continues to be a respected community asset -- helping young people build confidence, discover healthy outdoor activities, and thrive in safe, supportive environments via the programs listed (below):
  2. $2,076 spent. Fishing Classes and Outings
  3. Archery Class and Hands On Training
  4. $965 spent. Indiana State Fair Youth Day Excursion
  5. $12,750 spent. Indianapolis Motor Speedway - Indy 500 Excursion
  6. $17,800 spent. Indianapolis Motor Speedway - NASCAR Brickyard 400 Excursion
  7. $685 spent. Fall Creek Clean Up and Adopt a Road
  8. $550 spent. Other Outdoor Youth Events
  9. $384 spent. Hunter Education Classes
  10. $6,380 spent. All Other Outdoors Programs - Materials and Equipment

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 February 2000.

    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.