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Living Earth School

EIN 38-4169577 · Afton, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Living Earth Schools mission is to nurture healthy connections to nature, self, and community through immersive, nature-based education and mentoring experiences for children, teens and adults.

Income
$921,377
Spending
$817,169
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
6.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 86%
Employees
57
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$76,975, executive director

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

Financial health

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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 (5)
  1. $76,280 spent. Year Round Youth Nature Connection and Leadership Programs Living Earth School provides year-round, nature-based education programs that serve youth ages 5 -18 through homeschool programs, weekend offerings, summer camps, and teen mentorship programs, serving approximately 1,100 young people annually. These programs are designed to build resilience, confidence, environmental literacy, and social-emotional skills through immersive outdoor experiences and mentoring relationships. Across programs youth participants demonstrate measurable growth in independence, confidence, and connection to the natural world. Parents report that youth demonstrate increased resilience, including the ability to navigate physical and social challenges and that participants return from programs more calm, grounded, and confident.
  2. $322,320 spent. Living Earth School is best known for its outdoor education summer camps for children and teens. Through immersive experiences in nature, participants learn earth-based skills such as wilderness awareness, fire-making, shelter building, tracking, and natural crafts while developing confidence, resilience, leadership, and a strong sense of community. Guided by skilled mentors, campers deepen their connection to themselves, others, and the natural world. Families report increased self-confidence, social skills, independence, and appreciation for nature. Scholarships help ensure that youth from all backgrounds can participate regardless of financial circumstances.
  3. $46,016 spent. Living Earth Schools Teen Apprentice Program is a multi-year mentoring and leadership program for teens ages 1318. Through immersive outdoor experiences, participants develop advanced earth-based skills such as wilderness survival, tracking, traditional crafts, and leadership. Guided by skilled mentors, teens build confidence, resilience, responsibility, and a strong sense of belonging while deepening their connection to themselves, others, and the natural world. Participants gain practical life skills, increased self-awareness, and meaningful leadership experience. Scholarships help ensure that teens from all backgrounds can participate regardless of financial circumstances.
  4. $73,497 spent. MISCELLANEOUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (SEE SCHEDULE O)
  5. MISCELLANEOUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (SEE SCHEDULE O) 73497. 0. 82524.

Source: Form 990 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 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 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 2021.

    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.