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Fresh Air Society

EIN 38-1360545 · Bloomfld Hls, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood76 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TAMARACK CAMPS, ESTABLISHED BY THE FRESH AIR SOCIETY, BUILDS A VIBRANT COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING ENRICHING JEWISH CAMPING EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, RESPECTFUL OF FINANCIAL ABILITY.

Income
$16.1 million
Spending
$11.7 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
235
Volunteers
167
Highest pay
$340,672, chief executive officer

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

Financial health

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    41 of 41 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 October 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 (1)
  1. $9.8 million spent. TAMARACK CAMPS HAS BEEN A LEADER IN JEWISH CAMPING SINCE 1902. THROUGH A WIDE-RANGE OF SUMMER OVERNIGHT PROGRAMS, INCLUDING CAMP MAAS, TEEN TRAVEL TRIPS, OUTPOST CAMPS AND FAMILY CAMPS, AS WELL AS YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMMING AT THE FARBER FARM AND TAMARACK ADVENTURE AND RETREAT CENTER (TARC), WE OFFER ENRICHING, LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES. WE ARE PROUD TO ENGAGE OVER 10,000 CHILDREN, TEENS, AND ADULTS EACH YEAR, FOSTERING CONFIDENCE, INDEPENDENCE, AND A STRONG JEWISH IDENTITY. WITH THE SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY, WE PROVIDE THESE EXPERIENCES WITH RESPECT TO A FAMILY'S FINANCIAL ABILITY AND PROUDLY OFFER MORE FINANCIAL AID THAN ANY JEWISH CAMP IN NORTH AMERICA.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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 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 October 2025.

    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 July 1943.

    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.