Outdoor Buddies Inc
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
Outdoor Buddies mission is to provide opportunities, through a volunteer organization, for those who have been deprived of enjoying outdoor experiences. The focus is on those who are mobility-disabled, military veterans, at-risk youth, and youth groups. Outdoor experiences include hunting, fishing, boating, rafting, camping, and education in the use of the outdoors for recreational activities. The opportunities are available to all, with no cost (other than personal expenses) and no discrimination due to race, color, gender, creed, religion, sex, or family status.
- Income
- $280,848
- Spending
- $267,073
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 17 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 76%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 100
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 17.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% 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
Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (3)
- $86,066 spent. The Outdoor Buddies hunting program for mobility-disabled persons includes a very large variety of hunting activities including big game, turkey, upland bird, waterfowl, and other types of hunting. The big game hunting program includes hunts for pronghorn, deer, and elk. Hunting activities are generally held on private land, rather than where the presence of the general public makes it more difficult for disabled hunters. Outdoor Buddies provides experienced able-bodied volunteers (Able-Buddies) to accompany disabled participants (Handi-Buddies) on the activities. For 2023 - Outdoor buddies performed approximately 80 antelope hunts, 25 elk hunts, 15 deer hunts, and 2 goose hunts.
- $81,591 spent. Warriors On Cataract Canyon sponsors 4-day whitewater trips on the Colorado River through Canyonlands National Park from Moab to Lake Powell for our disabled veterans. Last summer we were able to provide four trips, each taking about 25 Wounded Warriors, their caregivers and families on each trip. We accommodate veterans with very significant levels of disability, such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, orthopedic injuries, multiple amputations, burns, depression, substance abuse, and those with wheel chairs and service dogs. Each year over 8,000 veterans succumb to their hopelessness and depression and die by their own hand. This is more than have ben lost in 18 years of combat in the conflicts in the Middle East. This doesn't have to be. We find that this whitewater trip is a watershed for many of the Wounded Warrior participants, giving them new hope and perspective, and forming a support group of other combat veterans, thereby putting them on a path to recovery and reintegration.
- $49,057 spent. The Outdoor Buddies fishing program is designed for mobility-disabled persons and includes a variety of fishing activities. Our model of pairing experienced able-bodied volunteers (Able-Buddies) with disabled participants (Handi-Buddies) has been a successful concept. Fishing activities are typically conducted in a group format of anywhere between four to twelve participants. Outdoor Buddies fishing activities are held in public locations as well as on private land. Outdoor Buddies Youth Programs (1) increase public awareness and education about Colorado's natural resources and outdoor recreational opportunities, and (2) develop relationships with other organizations who work with youth to provide opportunities to engage youth in outdoor recreation in Colorado. Unfortunately, COVID 19 protocols reduced this program activities in 2020 since most youth activities are in groups.
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? Caution.
Its 2011 filing told the IRS that the organization has closed.
Source: Form 990-N (e-Postcard) filings, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 19, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1988.
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.