Chief and Calla Bell Scholarship Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 45% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
To continue the legacy of Chief and Calla Bell by providing financial support so children discover the richness of the outdoors, form enduring friendships and develop confidence and maturity through the unique experience of summer camp.
- Income
- $292,898
- Spending
- $169,288
- Spent on programs
- 46%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 75%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 17
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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 42% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 21% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1545% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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
Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 17 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $77,000 spent. Frank Chief Bell, Sr., founder of Camps Mondamin and Green Cove, articulated that the wilderness can be a magnificent playground and a great university. If education is a series of continuing experiences that build the knowledge, the skills, the habits, the appreciations, the attitudes, the values, and ultimately and hopefully the wisdom that enriches living, then we need to go far beyond the classroom. C+CBSF provides the life-changing experience of summer camp to children who could not attend without financial assistance. C+CBSF believes outdoor pursuits are a positive and enriching opportunity for personal growth, and these opportunities can be a pathway to success in an ever-changing world.
- Summers spent at camp afford children the chance to work hard and earn the reward of personal satisfaction and accomplishment without trophies or medals. Providing such opportunities to young people, regardless of their socioeconomic status, also allows them to learn about and engage with the natural environment. In a world where people are rarely without a device in-hand, summer camp provides one of the best opportunities for children to unplug. In addition to the direct benefit of attending camp, financial aid from C+CBSF also exposes children to the future possibility of employemet as camp counselors, which is a formative experience for many young adults and is often one of the first paid jobs camp alumni undertake.
- In 2025, C+CBSF continued to strengthen our outreach and operations. We once again supported gatherings in serveral cities, and our improved systems allowed us to be more deliberate and strategic in pursuing both immediate priorities and long-term objectives. Building on our steady growth and sustained fundraising momentum over the past several years, we surpassed $200,000 in annual donations for the first time - a meaningful milestone for our organization. . The true measure of our effectiveness is reflected in the testimonials we have received from scholarship recipients, both parents and the campers themselves, which reflect the profound impact that summer camp can have: a deep love of nature, enduring friendships, and a safe place to develop confidence and maturity. . Since C+CBSF began providing financial assistance in 2004, 340 scholarships have been awarded for a total of $696,441. In 2025, we awarded 21 scholarships for a total of $71,000. . For more details on our accomplishments, please reference our annual Impact Reports at chiefandcalla.org.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 2003.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.