Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Maryland Assoc for Environmental & Outdoor Education Inc

EIN 52-1900328 · Edgewater, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MAEOE encourages,engages and empowers the community to understand, responsibly use and promote the natural world. MAEOE is a nonprofit educational association, serving thousands of teachers, natural resource managers, nature center staff and others with dynamic training programs

Income
$784,432
Spending
$768,470
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 60%
Employees
7
Volunteers
55
Highest pay
$79,879, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 36% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 51% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    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 September 30, 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 (11)
  1. $290,827 spent. Green School Act of 2019: To increase the number of green schools in the state in support of the States (Maryland) efforts to mitigate climate change and meet the States environmental education goals. This was Year 4 of the States appropriation. Funding provides grants for teachers working to lead green school activities including student actions, transportation, professional development. There is also funding for stipends for teachers leading green school teams. Funding for DEIJA symposium (2) this year foucsed on Green Schools and engagement with students and developing whole school partnerships. The approprirations also offsets costs for the annual youth summit, an annual evaluation, and maintenance of an online application.
  2. $131,882 spent. The Maryland Environmental Literacy Advisory Network (MELAN) launched with the hiring of a part-time coordinator to lead the program. This initiative aims to establish regional networks that support a statewide strategy for environmental literacy. The regional networks include the Eastern Shore, Western Maryland and Southern Maryland along with two topic-specific networks: Higher Education and Latinx. Additionally, work began on a national landscape analysis ensuring that Maryland providers will be included in the national directory.
  3. $79,548 spent. Annual Conference: In February 2024, MAEOE held its 39th Annual Conference with the theme Healing Ourselves as We Heal the Earth. The keynote speaker was Dr Stephanie Schollaert Uz, Applied Sciences Manager at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. She connects Earth Sciences Division researchers with end users, develops external partnerships, and promotes innovative uses of Earth obesrvations for societal benefit. Approximately 400 participants from Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware and the District of Columbia took part in three days of workshops, sessions and networking. The conference provided more than 50 sessions.
  4. $48,506 spent. MAEOE supported a state-funded composting grant aimed at expanding composting initiatives in schools and communities. We managed the grant process by promoting opportunities and reviewing applications.
  5. $30,000 spent. MAEOE continues to participate in the Anacostia Watershed Society Treating and Teaching program funded by the Clean Water Partnership in Prince Georges County. As a steering committee member, MAEOE facilitates training for teachers and facilities staff to enhance environmental literacy and encourage the use of outdoor learning spaces. This fiscal year, MAEOE participated in two training sessions.
  6. $25,583 spent. The Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) provided funding for three career events focused on environmental education, sustainability, and green jobs. Additionally, MAEOE trained teachers on Green Jobs resources to better equip them to guide students toward career opportunities in sustainability and green jobs. Over 500 students participated in these events, gaining valuable insights into potential careers in enviromental education, green jobs and sustainability.
  7. $24,490 spent. Other Programs
  8. $21,226 spent. MAEOE served as the fiduciary for the Higher Education Environmental Literacy (HEEL) program. As part of this program, two fellows workshops were held for higher education faculty, equipping them with resources and guidance to incorporate environmental literacy into their syllabi for interdisciplinary pre-service teachers.
  9. $15,500 spent. SFI/PLT: MAEOE provided one Project Learning Tree training for twelve facilitators and two E-STEM workshops for fifteen teachers. These training opportunitites help educators integrate environmental education into their classrooms. Participation continues to grow as more teachers recognize the value of these programs and seek training to incorporate them into their schools curricula.
  10. $8,669 spent. Maryland Green School Program: MAEOE manages and operates the Maryland Green School and Green Center programs. In 2023/24 there were 655 Maryland Green Schools and 37 Green Centers that participated in MAEOE programs involving and engaging approximately 110,000 students, teachers, parents and citizens. MAEOE awards Maryland Green School status through a rigorous application process. Applications are reviewed every year with stakeholder input. In 2023/24 we provided virtual and in person workshops for Green Centers, Green leaders, formal and non-formal educators. Green Centers and Green Leaders assist teachers and students in implementing sustainable environmental practices and completing the Maryland Green School application process.
  11. $7,865 spent. Maryland Youth Summit: In 2024 we held an in-person Youth Summit with 2,000 students and teachers in attendance. We were able to honor 176 schools who achieved Green School status and provide a meaningful for educators and for students. The summit celebrates the Green School Awards with hands-on activities, a Green Career Fair, and exhibits from environmental organizations and businesses.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 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 September 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 January 1995.

    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.