Philadelphia Outward Bound Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE PHILADELPHIA OUTWARD SCHOOL'S (POBS) MISSION IS TO SPARK LIFELONG GROWTH THROUGH CHALLENGE - OUTSIDE. WE FACILITATE ADVENTUROUS LEARNING, ROOTED IN THE OUTDOORS, TO UNLOCK CONFIDENCE, CURIOSITY, AND THE SKILLS TO THRIVE WITH PURPOSE.
- Income
- $3.5 million
- Spending
- $3.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 58%
- Reserves
- 2.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 51%
- Employees
- 85
- Volunteers
- 14
- Highest pay
- $167,599, executive di
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
Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 18% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1558% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2524 of 24 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
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 (5)
- $2.1 million spent. INSIGHT PROGRAMS ARE ONE-DAY FACILITATED OUTWARD BOUND EXPERIENCES HELD AT OUR HEADQUARTERS AT THE DISCOVERY CENTER IN FAIRMOUNT PARK AND IN WISSAHICKON VALLEY PARK. PARTICIPANTS MOVE THROUGH A PROGRESSION OF ACTIVITIES BEGINNING WITH GROUND-BASED TEAM CHALLENGES AND BUILDING TOWARD A PEAK EXPERIENCE SUCH AS CLIMBING THE HIGH ROPES COURSE. EACH PROGRAM DAY IS DESIGNED TO BUILD CONNECTION, COMMUNICATION, AND CONFIDENCE WITHIN A GROUP. IN 2025, POBS SERVED 5,502 YOUTH THROUGH THIS INTRODUCTORY-LEVEL PROGRAM. THEY CAME PRIMARILY FROM SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OTHER NEARBY DISTRICT PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOLLOWED BY YOUTH FROM CHARTER AND INDEPENDENT/PRIVATE SCHOOLS. STUDENTS SPANNED GRADES 6 - 12. FOR MANY YOUNG PEOPLE, SPENDING 5-6 HOURS IMMERSED IN OUTDOOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROVIDES A RARE AND FORMATIVE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THE NATURAL WORLD, CHALLENGE THEMSELVES, AND DISCOVER NEW POSSIBILITIES. IN 2025, POBS SURVEYED 760 INSIGHT STUDENTS TO MEASURE THE IMPACT OF OUR PROGRAMS. COMBINED WITH FINDINGS FROM STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN OUR MULTI- DAY WILDERNESS EXPEDITIONS, THE LARGEST GROWTH AREAS WERE GROUP RELATIONSHIPS, ASSERTIVENESS, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. HIGHLIGHTS FROM POBS' 2025 STUDENT SURVEYS INCLUDE: 92% ARE MORE AWARE OF HOW TO SUPPORT OTHERS 87% FEEL MORE CONNECTED TO THEIR PEERS 89% GAINED CONFIDENCE TO TRY NEW THINGS 91% ARE EXCITED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEMSELVES AND OTHERS INSIGHT PROGRAMS ARE ONE-DAY FACILITATED OUTWARD BOUND EXPERIENCES HELD AT OUR HEADQUARTERS AT THE DISCOVERY CENTER IN FAIRMOUNT PARK AND IN WISSAHICKON VALLEY PARK. PARTICIPANTS MOVE THROUGH A PROGRESSION OF ACTIVITIES BEGINNING WITH GROUND-BASED TEAM CHALLENGES AND BUILDING TOWARD A PEAK EXPERIENCE SUCH AS CLIMBING THE HIGH ROPES COURSE. EACH PROGRAM DAY IS DESIGNED TO BUILD CONNECTION, COMMUNICATION, AND CONFIDENCE WITHIN A GROUP. IN 2025, POBS SERVED 5,502 YOUTH THROUGH THIS INTRODUCTORY-LEVEL PROGRAM. THEY CAME PRIMARILY FROM SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OTHER NEARBY DISTRICT PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOLLOWED BY YOUTH FROM CHARTER AND INDEPENDENT/PRIVATE SCHOOLS. STUDENTS SPANNED GRADES 6 - 12. FOR MANY YOUNG PEOPLE, SPENDING 5-6 HOURS IMMERSED IN OUTDOOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROVIDES A RARE AND FORMATIVE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THE NATURAL WORLD, CHALLENGE THEMSELVES, AND DISCOVER NEW POSSIBILITIES. IN 2025, POBS SURVEYED 760 INSIGHT STUDENTS TO MEASURE THE IMPACT OF OUR PROGRAMS. COMBINED WITH FINDINGS FROM STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN OUR MULTI- DAY WILDERNESS EXPEDITIONS, THE LARGEST GROWTH AREAS WERE GROUP RELATIONSHIPS, ASSERTIVENESS, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. HIGHLIGHTS FROM POBS' 2025 STUDENT SURVEYS INCLUDE: 92% ARE MORE AWARE OF HOW TO SUPPORT OTHERS 87% FEEL MORE CONNECTED TO THEIR PEERS 89% GAINED CONFIDENCE TO TRY NEW THINGS 91% ARE EXCITED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEMSELVES AND OTHERS
- EXPEDITION PROGRAMS ARE IMMERSIVE, MULTI-DAY WILDERNESS EXPERIENCES THAT ACCELERATE SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SKILLS RELATED TO COURAGE, BELONGING, REFLECTION, AND PHYSICAL ENGAGEMENT. PARTICIPANTS PRIMARILY COME FROM A SCHOOL'S SPECIFIC GRADE LEVEL, A LEADERSHIP GROUP, CLUB, OR AFFINITY COHORT. EXPEDITIONS RANGE 5-14 DAYS AND TAKE PLACE ALONG THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL IN THE DELAWARE WATER GAP. ALONG WITH THE RIGORS OF CAMPING, STUDENTS ENGAGE IN 2-3 PHYSICAL CHALLENGES (HIKING, CANOEING, AND ROCK CLIMBING). TOGETHER, THEY NAVIGATE SHARING TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES: COOKING, DECISION MAKING, ROUTE PLANNING, AND PROBLEM-SOLVING. POBS ALSO OFFERS MERIT-BASED 100% SCHOLARSHIP SUMMER EXPEDITIONS OPEN TO YOUTH THROUGHOUT THE REGION. THESE OPPORTUNITIES ATTRACT MOTIVATED STUDENTS WHO PREVIOUSLY PARTICIPATED PREVIOUSLY IN A ONE-DAY INSIGHT PROGRAM OR A SCHOOL/GROUP SPONSORED EXPEDITION. IN 2025, 611 YOUTH PARTICIPATED IN A MULTI-DAY WILDERNESS EXPEDITION; 418 OF THESE STUDENTS WERE SURVEYED POST COURSE TO MEASURE THE IMPACT OF OUR PROGRAMS. COMBINED WITH FINDINGS FROM STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN INSIGHT DAYS, THE LARGEST GROWTH AREAS WERE GROUP RELATIONSHIPS, ASSERTIVENESS, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. HIGHLIGHTS FROM POBS' 2025 STUDENT SURVEYS INCLUDE: 92% ARE MORE AWARE OF HOW TO SUPPORT OTHERS 87% FEEL MORE CONNECTED TO THEIR PEERS 89% GAINED CONFIDENCE TO TRY NEW THINGS EXPEDITIONS TAKE THREE BASIC FORMS. 1). PEER LEADERSHIP COURSES ARE 5-7 DAY WILDERNESS COURSES THAT ENGAGE PARTICIPANTS WITH PEERS IN CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENTS TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP AND PERSONAL SKILLS. THEY ARE EITHER BACKPACKING OR CANOEING EXPEDITIONS IN THE FALL OR SPRING. SCHOOLS USE THESE AS PART OF A PROGRAM PROGRESSION FOR THEIR 8TH - 12TH GRADE STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED EARLIER IN INSIGHT PROGRAMS. THESE ARE ALSO A POPULAR FORMAT FOR SUMMER OPEN ENROLLMENT COURSES THAT ATTRACT STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER WHO SEEK A CHALLENGE. 2) GET OUT AND LEAD (GOAL) IS AN ANNUAL 10-DAY MERIT-AWARD SUMMER EXPEDITION FOR PHILADELPHIA REGION TWELVE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE CREW BRINGS TOGETHER MOTIVATED STUDENTS SELECTED FROM A VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS FOR A MIX OF BACKPACKING, CANOEING AND ROCK- CLIMBING. STUDENTS MUST APPLY, PROVIDE REFERENCES, AND INTERVIEW TO BE CONSIDERED. 3) YOUTH LEADERSHIP CORPS IS AN ANNUAL 14-DAY MERIT-AWARD SUMMER EXPEDITION FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. DEPENDING ON FUNDING, THERE CAN BE ONE TO TWO CREWS (12 STUDENTS EACH). IN 2025 THERE WAS ONE CREW. THIS COURSE ALSO BRINGS TOGETHER MOTIVATED STUDENTS SELECTED FROM A VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS FOR A MIX OF BACKPACKING, CANOEING AND ROCK-CLIMBING. STUDENTS MUST APPLY, PROVIDE REFERENCES, AND INTERVIEW TO BE CONSIDERED. EXPEDITION PROGRAMS ARE IMMERSIVE, MULTI-DAY WILDERNESS EXPERIENCES THAT ACCELERATE SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SKILLS RELATED TO COURAGE, BELONGING, REFLECTION, AND PHYSICAL ENGAGEMENT. PARTICIPANTS PRIMARILY COME FROM A SCHOOL'S SPECIFIC GRADE LEVEL, A LEADERSHIP GROUP, CLUB, OR AFFINITY COHORT. EXPEDITIONS RANGE 5-14 DAYS AND TAKE PLACE ALONG THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL IN THE DELAWARE WATER GAP. ALONG WITH THE RIGORS OF CAMPING, STUDENTS ENGAGE IN 2-3 PHYSICAL CHALLENGES (HIKING, CANOEING, AND ROCK CLIMBING). TOGETHER, THEY NAVIGATE SHARING TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES: COOKING, DECISION MAKING, ROUTE PLANNING, AND PROBLEM-SOLVING. POBS ALSO OFFERS MERIT-BASED 100% SCHOLARSHIP SUMMER EXPEDITIONS OPEN TO YOUTH THROUGHOUT THE REGION. THESE OPPORTUNITIES ATTRACT MOTIVATED STUDENTS WHO PREVIOUSLY PARTICIPATED PREVIOUSLY IN A ONE-DAY INSIGHT PROGRAM OR A SCHOOL/GROUP SPONSORED EXPEDITION. IN 2025, 611 YOUTH PARTICIPATED IN A MULTI-DAY WILDERNESS EXPEDITION; 418 OF THESE STUDENTS WERE SURVEYED POST COURSE TO MEASURE THE IMPACT OF OUR PROGRAMS. COMBINED WITH FINDINGS FROM STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN INSIGHT DAYS, THE LARGEST GROWTH AREAS WERE GROUP RELATIONSHIPS, ASSERTIVENESS, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. HIGHLIGHTS FROM POBS' 2025 STUDENT SURVEYS INCLUDE: 92% ARE MORE AWARE OF HOW TO SUPPORT OTHERS 87% FEEL MORE CONNECTED TO THEIR PEERS 89% GAINED CONFIDENCE TO TRY NEW THINGS EXPEDITIONS TAKE THREE BASIC FORMS. 1). PEER LEADERSHIP COURSES ARE 5-7 DAY WILDERNESS COURSES THAT ENGAGE PARTICIPANTS WITH PEERS IN CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENTS TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP AND PERSONAL SKILLS. THEY ARE EITHER BACKPACKING OR CANOEING EXPEDITIONS IN THE FALL OR SPRING. SCHOOLS USE THESE AS PART OF A PROGRAM PROGRESSION FOR THEIR 8TH - 12TH GRADE STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED EARLIER IN INSIGHT PROGRAMS. THESE ARE ALSO A POPULAR FORMAT FOR SUMMER OPEN ENROLLMENT COURSES THAT ATTRACT STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER WHO SEEK A CHALLENGE. 2) GET OUT AND LEAD (GOAL) IS AN ANNUAL 10-DAY MERIT-AWARD SUMMER EXPEDITION FOR PHILADELPHIA REGION TWELVE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE CREW BRINGS TOGETHER MOTIVATED STUDENTS SELECTED FROM A VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS FOR A MIX OF BACKPACKING, CANOEING AND ROCK- CLIMBING. STUDENTS MUST APPLY, PROVIDE REFERENCES, AND INTERVIEW TO BE CONSIDERED. 3) YOUTH LEADERSHIP CORPS IS AN ANNUAL 14-DAY MERIT-AWARD SUMMER EXPEDITION FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. DEPENDING ON FUNDING, THERE CAN BE ONE TO TWO CREWS (12 STUDENTS EACH). IN 2025 THERE WAS ONE CREW. THIS COURSE ALSO BRINGS TOGETHER MOTIVATED STUDENTS SELECTED FROM A VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS FOR A MIX OF BACKPACKING, CANOEING AND ROCK-CLIMBING. STUDENTS MUST APPLY, PROVIDE REFERENCES, AND INTERVIEW TO BE CONSIDERED.
- EDUCATOR AND OTHER ADULT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS PRIMARILY USE THE SINGLE DAY INSIGHT MODEL ADAPTED FOR A MATURE STUDENT WORKING IN EDUCATION, NONPROFIT, AND CORPORATE SETTINGS. POBS CUSTOMIZES THE PROGRAM TO ADDRESS EACH ORGANIZATION'S TEAMWORK, COMMUNICATION, AND PROBLEM-SOLVING GOALS. THE EXCEPTION IS THE 7-DAY SUMMER CANOE EXPEDITION FOR EDUCATORS FROM POBS' PARTNER SCHOOLS AND YOUTH-SERVING PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. IN BOTH CASES, PARTICIPANTS BUILD TRUST AND GAIN NEW PERSPECTIVES ON LEADERSHIP. EDUCATORS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS GAIN A DIRECT AND DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE OUTWARD BOUND EDUCATION MODEL AND ARE THEN BETTER EQUIPPED TO SUPPORT THE TRANSFER OF THEIR STUDENTS' LEARNING FROM POBS COURSE TO CLASSROOM TO COMMUNITY. IN 2025, POBS ENGAGED 520 TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS INVOLVED IN SECONDARY EDUCATION AS WELL AS 908 OTHER ADULTS RANGING FROM VETERANS AND PEOPLE WORKING IN THE CORPORATE, GOVERNMENT, AND NONPROFIT SECTORS. AFTER COMPLETING A PROGRAM WITH THEIR TEAM, 85% OF THE 2025 PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS SURVEYED AGREED OR STRONGLY AGREED THAT THEY FELT MORE COMMITTED TO THEIR TEAM'S SUCCESS AND 80% AGREED THAT THEY FEEL MORE ALIGNED WITH THEIR TEAM'S GOALS. RESPONDING TO HOW MUCH THE PROGRAM HELPED THEM DEVELOP, STRENGTHEN, OR BECOME MORE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS, 83% AGREED THAT IT HELPED THEM WITH COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND 87% AGREED THAT THEY BECAME MORE AWARE OF THE NEEDS OF THEIR TEAM. EDUCATOR AND OTHER ADULT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS PRIMARILY USE THE SINGLE DAY INSIGHT MODEL ADAPTED FOR A MATURE STUDENT WORKING IN EDUCATION, NONPROFIT, AND CORPORATE SETTINGS. POBS CUSTOMIZES THE PROGRAM TO ADDRESS EACH ORGANIZATION'S TEAMWORK, COMMUNICATION, AND PROBLEM-SOLVING GOALS. THE EXCEPTION IS THE 7-DAY SUMMER CANOE EXPEDITION FOR EDUCATORS FROM POBS' PARTNER SCHOOLS AND YOUTH-SERVING PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. IN BOTH CASES, PARTICIPANTS BUILD TRUST AND GAIN NEW PERSPECTIVES ON LEADERSHIP. EDUCATORS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS GAIN A DIRECT AND DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE OUTWARD BOUND EDUCATION MODEL AND ARE THEN BETTER EQUIPPED TO SUPPORT THE TRANSFER OF THEIR STUDENTS' LEARNING FROM POBS COURSE TO CLASSROOM TO COMMUNITY. IN 2025, POBS ENGAGED 520 TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS INVOLVED IN SECONDARY EDUCATION AS WELL AS 908 OTHER ADULTS RANGING FROM VETERANS AND PEOPLE WORKING IN THE CORPORATE, GOVERNMENT, AND NONPROFIT SECTORS. AFTER COMPLETING A PROGRAM WITH THEIR TEAM, 85% OF THE 2025 PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS SURVEYED AGREED OR STRONGLY AGREED THAT THEY FELT MORE COMMITTED TO THEIR TEAM'S SUCCESS AND 80% AGREED THAT THEY FEEL MORE ALIGNED WITH THEIR TEAM'S GOALS. RESPONDING TO HOW MUCH THE PROGRAM HELPED THEM DEVELOP, STRENGTHEN, OR BECOME MORE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS, 83% AGREED THAT IT HELPED THEM WITH COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND 87% AGREED THAT THEY BECAME MORE AWARE OF THE NEEDS OF THEIR TEAM.
- A TOP AND ONGOING PRIORITY FOR POBS REMAINS DEEPENING PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND RESIDENTS OF STRAWBERRY MANSION, THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT SURROUNDS THE DISCOVERY CENTER, OUR HEADQUARTERS IN EAST FAIRMOUNT PARK. SINCE 2018, POBS HAS SHARED THIS WORLD-CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FACILITY WITH AUDUBON MID-ATLANTIC (AMA). COMMUNITY INPUT WAS CRITICAL FOR CREATING THE DISCOVERY CENTER. EVER SINCE THE FACILITY OPENED IN 2018, POBS AND AMA HAVE WORKED TO OFFER A MONTHLY SCHEDULE OF PROGRAMMING FOR THE COMMUNITY. THESE DISCOVERY DAYS OFFER A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES USING BOTH INDOOR AND OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS, EXHIBITS, TRAILS, CLIMBING WALL, HIGH ROPES COURSE, THE 37-ACRE LAKE, AND BIRD WATCHING LOOKOUTS. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC YEAR-ROUND, POBS COLLABORATED WITH AMA TO OFFER 10 WEEKEND EVENTS DESIGNED TO INTRODUCE COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO EACH ORGANIZATION'S RESPECTIVE PROGRAMS. POBS AND AMA ORGANIZE ONGOING ADVISORY GROUP MEETINGS AND THE VOLUNTEERS PLAN AND PROMOTE THE EVENTS. THIS CONSISTENT OUTREACH FOSTERS NEIGHBORHOOD ADULTS' UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT POBS AND AMA OFFER AND BUILDS THE TRUST CRITICAL FOR THEM TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN'S PARTICIPATION IN PROGRAMS. IN 2025, POBS AND AMA CONTINUED TO HOST A 10-WEEK PAID SUMMER ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FOR A SMALL GROUP OF YOUTH RECRUITED FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD. IT IS A PIPELINE THAT CULTIVATES YOUTH AWARENESS OF AND INTEREST IN OUTDOOR EDUCATION JOBS.
- A TOP AND ONGOING PRIORITY FOR POBS REMAINS DEEPENING PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND RESIDENTS OF STRAWBERRY MANSION, THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT SURROUNDS THE DISCOVERY CENTER, OUR HEADQUARTERS IN EAST FAIRMOUNT PARK. SINCE 2018, POBS HAS SHARED THIS WORLD-CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FACILITY WITH AUDUBON MID-ATLANTIC (AMA). COMMUNITY INPUT WAS CRITICAL FOR CREATING THE DISCOVERY CENTER. EVER SINCE THE FACILITY OPENED IN 2018, POBS AND AMA HAVE WORKED TO OFFER A MONTHLY SCHEDULE OF PROGRAMMING FOR THE COMMUNITY. THESE DISCOVERY DAYS OFFER A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES USING BOTH INDOOR AND OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS, EXHIBITS, TRAILS, CLIMBING WALL, HIGH ROPES COURSE, THE 37-ACRE LAKE, AND BIRD WATCHING LOOKOUTS. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC YEAR-ROUND, POBS COLLABORATED WITH AMA TO OFFER 10 WEEKEND EVENTS DESIGNED TO INTRODUCE COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO EACH ORGANIZATION'S RESPECTIVE PROGRAMS. POBS AND AMA ORGANIZE ONGOING ADVISORY GROUP MEETINGS AND THE VOLUNTEERS PLAN AND PROMOTE THE EVENTS. THIS CONSISTENT OUTREACH FOSTERS NEIGHBORHOOD ADULTS' UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT POBS AND AMA OFFER AND BUILDS THE TRUST CRITICAL FOR THEM TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN'S PARTICIPATION IN PROGRAMS. IN 2025, POBS AND AMA CONTINUED TO HOST A 10-WEEK PAID SUMMER ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FOR A SMALL GROUP OF YOUTH RECRUITED FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD. IT IS A PIPELINE THAT CULTIVATES YOUTH AWARENESS OF AND INTEREST IN OUTDOOR EDUCATION JOBS.
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 June 2005.
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.