Camp Elso Incorporated
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of ELSO Incorporated is to catalyze learning and expand access to positive career outcomes for a more just future for all. Significant programs and services at ELSO Incorporated include K-8 academic and enrichment programs for experiential nature based learning; secondary education programs focus on paid learning and introduction to career pathways in the natural and built environment. Post-Secondary programs focus on paid workforce development through college and career training with hands-on work experience. We host nature-focused community outreach events such as the Harvest Party. Our Community and Learning Services projects focus on redefining outdoor learning for community resilience. Programming has expanded to geographical regions beyond Oregon into SE Texas. The infrastructure of organizational finances accurately tracks both revenue and expenses attributed to activities outside of the Pacific Northwest.
- Income
- $3.5 million
- Spending
- $3.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 67%
- Reserves
- 0.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 52%
- Employees
- 33
- Volunteers
- 51
- Highest pay
- $153,315, executive director,co founder
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 35% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1567% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 8 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
0 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 August 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 (4)
- $1.1 million spent. The Portland Vancouver Canopy Collective (PVCC) project brings together culturally-specific organizations working at the intersection of multicultural community resilience and environmental justice. Funded by the United States Forest Service in Year 1 of 5, this bold new effort will expand the number of street trees, increase living-wage green jobs, and make new family connections to nearby nature throughout Portland and Vancouver. Joining ELSO Incorporated are well-established partners including: The Blueprint Foundation, Access Recreation, I'm Hooked Inc., Lower Columbia Nature Network, PSU's Indigenous Nations Studies, Valadrian Creative & Consulting. Lending their support are government partners US Forest Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services Urban Wildlife Conservation Program, City of Vancouver Urban Forestry and Climate Action Team, Clark County Public Works, and Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership.The Youth Climate Education Project (YCEP) is a multi-year initiative in partnership with Prescott Elementary. Funded primarily by the City of Portland Clean Energy Fund in Year 2 of 4, ELSOs Studio Justice program guides students to develop their own designs for climate solutions at Prescott Elementary while community polling at our outreach events gather input from students, families, and teachers to determine priorities for climate solutions.Consulting Services are made up of key staff members, subject matter experts, and a core team of community consultants with a passion for shifting science education in the natural and built environments. Team members host workshops and trainings and presentations for local, national, and international conferences.Outreach events such as the Harvest Party are integrated into how each program operates. Hosted in partnership with the Prescott Family and Community Association, ELSOs Harvest Party connects NE Portland with local community organizations, essential services, and educational opportunities through a culturally responsive, family-friendly event hosted at Prescott Elementary School each fall.
- $364,585 spent. Wayfinders Day Camp Program is a STEAMED-based camp for K - 8 students that combines science and nature helping kids develop their STEAM learning identity, environmental literacy and a life-long love for learning. Wayfinders camps offer week-long immersive adventures in nature, science projects, and guest lectures from professionals.
- $348,612 spent. Studio Justice is a trio of paid after-school programming and outreach events for youth ages 14-20 to learn to use design as a tool enabling leadership and agency.After-school cohorts (eight weeks in length) teach architecture and drafting skills with mentorship and guest professionals exposing youth to design as a tool for justice.The Youth Design Forum is a paid opportunity for youth to engage in community project planning, with AECD firms showcasing designs and career paths in the industry.Engineering Day introduces 2nd8th graders to engineering careers through hands-on activities and guest speakers.
- $288,927 spent. Tappin Roots Nature Educators is a paid environmental internship program for high school students. Internships provide learning experiences in conservation, monthly symposiums, and technical skill building for early career success. Tappin Roots seeks to train and empower the next generation of local and environmental leaders using Storytelling, Mentorship, Career exploration, Place-based learning, and Healing practices.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2020.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.