Wilderness Youth Project Incorporated
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of Wilderness Youth Project (WYP) is to foster confidence, health and a life-long love of learning for young people and families through active outdoor experiences and mentoring. WYP envisions teaching the next generation to be peaceful, respectful and confident stewards of our world.American children spend over 90% of their time indoors. All children need nature. Not just the ones whose families have privilege and easy access to nature. Not only those of a certain race or economic class or culture or gender or sexual identity or language or set of abilities. Partnering with schools and agencies, WYP has increased access to nature connection and outdoor enrichment programs for marginalized youth.
- Income
- $5.3 million
- Spending
- $4.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 9.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 64%
- Employees
- 116
- Volunteers
- 94
- Highest pay
- $122,670, reach 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
Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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 2514 of 14 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 (3)
- $2.3 million spent. Wilderness Youth Project (WYP) ~ Nature Connection ProgramsNature makes children smarter, healthier, happier, and more likely to care for the planet. In 2025, WYP programs served over 1,300 youth through outdoor enrichment programs: 43 weekly school-year and after-school programs, and 660 summer camp spots serving children ages three through eighteen. Through fundraising, WYP was able to provide scholarships to over 75% of participants.In addition to WYPs youth nature-mentoring programs, Wilderness Youth Project acts as fiscal sponsor to two separate entity programs: REACH and Sea League (SL), described below.
- $1.0 million spent. REACH (Resilience, Education, Adventure, Community and Health) REACH is a two-and-a-half-year program that provides transformative support and development opportunities for first-generation students as they navigate the transition from high school to postsecondary education and beyond. Through a blend of academic preparation, outdoor experiences, and personal development, REACH helps students build leadership skills, develop meaningful relationships, and engage in formative experiences that prepare them for a successful transition from school to a fulfilling career.REACH serves an average of 173 students annually, beginning in their junior year of high school and continuing through the summer after their first year of college. At any given time, the program supports up to three cohorts simultaneously, providing consistent, multi-year engagement. Even after completing the program, students continue to have access to mentorship, college success resources, and outdoor opportunities as needed.In 2025, REACH was primarily funded by a single donor. While the organization remains primarily supported by one major funder, it has also secured additional support from private foundations and a growing base of individual donors.REACH income for the year ended December 31, 2025 totaled $1,130,777 and expenses totaled $1,003,164 resulting in an increase of net assets of $127,613.
- $417,321 spent. Sea League (TSL) - SL is an after-school program dedicated to providing year-round, equitable opportunities for youth to engage in ocean recreations such as surfing, stand up paddling, kayaking, and environmental education. SL offers a sliding scale fee structure, making programs accessible regardless of economic circumstances. This commitment to inclusivity ensures a welcoming and diverse community, where children from all backgrounds can enjoy and benefit from nature-connected activities, fostering a sense of belonging in ocean spaces.Sea Leagues mission is to create immersive opportunities for youth to explore, play and build community in marine habitats.Sea League served 324 youth participants in 2025, an 84% increase from the previous year. SL delivered ocean-based education through surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, and marine science curriculum led by UCSB student mentors. Over 55% of participants received scholarships. Program highlights included the first Anacapa Island snorkeling expedition, the launch of Pelagixa school-based ocean education programand 384 hours of swim instruction.Sea League income for the year ended December 31, 2025 totaled $329,447 and expenses totaled $418,159 resulting in a decrease of net assets of $88,711.
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 December 1999.
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.