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John Austin Cheley Foundation

EIN 48-1077337 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood84 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CHANGING KIDS' LIVES THROUGH TRANSFORMATIVE SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCES

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
20.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
4
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$134,162, executive di

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: 84 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 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 82% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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

    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 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)
  1. $854,527 spent. JOHN AUSTIN CHELEY FOUNDATION FOSTERS THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH THROUGH A VARIETY OF CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE PROGRAMS CENTERED AROUND A MULTI-YEAR WILDERNESS SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE. OUR PROGRAM PROVIDES: -IMMERSIVE, MULTI-WEEK YOUTH DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT HIGH-QUALITY WILDERNESS-BASED SUMMERS CAMPS ACROSS THE COUNTRY -MULTI-YEAR FUNDING FOR CAMPERS WHICH CAN COVER TUITION, TRAVEL EXPENSES, CAMP STORE AND EQUIPMENT COSTS -DEDICATED MENTORING TO SUPPORT AND PREPARE EACH CAMPER AND THEIR FAMILY TO EXTRACT THE GREATEST BENEFIT FROM THE CAMP EXPERIENCE -SERVICE-ORIENTED LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR CAMPERS TO "PAY IT FORWARD- AND ENRICH THEIR COMMUNITIES -SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL GROUP LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT FOSTER MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS AND GUIDE YOUTH TO NAVIGATE THEIR LIVES WITH A SENSE OF BELONGING AND PURPOSE. OUR PROGRAM PRODUCES: -DATA-DRIVEN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES -LIFE AND CAREER SKILLS KNOWN TO BE DIFFICULT TO REPLICATE IN OTHER SETTINGS -BROAD NATIONAL IMPACT THROUGH A NETWORK OF HIGH QUALITY ACCREDITED CAMPS AND RESPECTED YOUTH MENTORING ORGANIZATION JOHN AUSTIN CHELEY FOUNDATION FOSTERS THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH THROUGH A VARIETY OF CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE PROGRAMS CENTERED AROUND A MULTI-YEAR WILDERNESS SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE. OUR PROGRAM PROVIDES: -IMMERSIVE, MULTI-WEEK YOUTH DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT HIGH-QUALITY WILDERNESS-BASED SUMMERS CAMPS ACROSS THE COUNTRY -MULTI-YEAR FUNDING FOR CAMPERS WHICH CAN COVER TUITION, TRAVEL EXPENSES, CAMP STORE AND EQUIPMENT COSTS -DEDICATED MENTORING TO SUPPORT AND PREPARE EACH CAMPER AND THEIR FAMILY TO EXTRACT THE GREATEST BENEFIT FROM THE CAMP EXPERIENCE -SERVICE-ORIENTED LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR CAMPERS TO "PAY IT FORWARD- AND ENRICH THEIR COMMUNITIES -SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL GROUP LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT FOSTER MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS AND GUIDE YOUTH TO NAVIGATE THEIR LIVES WITH A SENSE OF BELONGING AND PURPOSE. OUR PROGRAM PRODUCES: -DATA-DRIVEN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES -LIFE AND CAREER SKILLS KNOWN TO BE DIFFICULT TO REPLICATE IN OTHER SETTINGS -BROAD NATIONAL IMPACT THROUGH A NETWORK OF HIGH QUALITY ACCREDITED CAMPS AND RESPECTED YOUTH MENTORING ORGANIZATION
  2. $24,500 spent. THE OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM IS A LEADERSHIP AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AIMED AT RECENT ALUMNI OF OUR CAMPERSHIP PROGRAM. IT IS CENTERED AROUND AN AWE-INSPIRING SUMMER WILDERNESS EXPEDITION DESIGNED TO CONTINUE THE PERSONAL GROWTH AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT THAT OUR CAMPERSHIP PROGRAM HAS BUILT, WHILE ALSO PROVIDING THE BASELINE SKILLS NECESSARY TO SECURE ACCRESS TO OUR CAMP FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM AND EMPLOYMENT IN THE OUTDOOR INDUSTRY.
  3. $10,000 spent. THE CAMP FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM IS A LEADERSHIP AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM CENTERED AROUND INDEPENDENT EMPLOYMENT AT SUMMER CAMP AND AIMED AT RECENT ALUMNI OF OUR CAMPERSHIP PROGRAM. EACH ASPECT OF THE CAMP FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM FOCUSES ON EQUIPPING THE PARTICIPANTS WITH CRITICAL THINKING, PROBLEM-SOLVING, INTERPERSONAL, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS THAT ARE HIGHLY COVETED AND TRANSFERRABLE TO OTHER EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SETTINGS. THE PROGRAM PREPARES THE PARTICIPANTS FOR THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF WORKING AT A SUMMER CAMP, AND ALSO PROVIDES MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES THAT FOSTER MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE YOUNGER PARTICIPANTS OF OUR CAMPERSHIP AND COMPASS PROGRAMS. THE CAMP FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM INCLUDES A STIPEND THAT REFLECTS THE ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES REQUIRED BOTH BEFORE AND DURING YOUR EMPLOYMENT AT SUMMER CAMP. WHEN ADDED TO THE JOB-RELATED COMPENSATION RECEIVED FROM CAMP, THIS STIPEND REMOVES THE FINANCIAL BARRIERS THAT MAY EXIST WHEN CONSIDERING A POSITION WORKING AT SUMMER CAMP BY PROVIDING COMBINED EARNINGS THAT ARE COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER OPPORTUNITIES. THE CAMP FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM IS A LEADERSHIP AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM CENTERED AROUND INDEPENDENT EMPLOYMENT AT SUMMER CAMP AND AIMED AT RECENT ALUMNI OF OUR CAMPERSHIP PROGRAM. EACH ASPECT OF THE CAMP FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM FOCUSES ON EQUIPPING THE PARTICIPANTS WITH CRITICAL THINKING, PROBLEM-SOLVING, INTERPERSONAL, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS THAT ARE HIGHLY COVETED AND TRANSFERRABLE TO OTHER EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SETTINGS. THE PROGRAM PREPARES THE PARTICIPANTS FOR THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF WORKING AT A SUMMER CAMP, AND ALSO PROVIDES MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES THAT FOSTER MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE YOUNGER PARTICIPANTS OF OUR CAMPERSHIP AND COMPASS PROGRAMS. THE CAMP FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM INCLUDES A STIPEND THAT REFLECTS THE ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES REQUIRED BOTH BEFORE AND DURING YOUR EMPLOYMENT AT SUMMER CAMP. WHEN ADDED TO THE JOB-RELATED COMPENSATION RECEIVED FROM CAMP, THIS STIPEND REMOVES THE FINANCIAL BARRIERS THAT MAY EXIST WHEN CONSIDERING A POSITION WORKING AT SUMMER CAMP BY PROVIDING COMBINED EARNINGS THAT ARE COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER OPPORTUNITIES.

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

  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 June 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 March 1990.

    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.