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The Outdoor Foundation

EIN 84-1549065 · Boulder, CO

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION IS ORGANIZED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES RELATED TO OUTDOOR RECREATION ACTIVITES AND EDUCATION, INCLUDING THE PRESERVATION OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, ADDRESSING ISSUES OF THE OUTDOOR INDUSTRY AND PROMOTING PARTICIPATION.

Income
$824,925
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
6.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
0
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$274,108, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 49% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
  1. $856,990 spent. CONVENING AND PARTICIPATION: FOSTERING COLLABORATION AND ACTION - THE FOUNDATION IS WORKING TO BRING TOGETHER TOP LEADERS, KEY ORGANIZATIONS, AND YOUTH ACTIVISTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN A RANGE OF ACTION-ORIENTED CONVENING EVENTS, FROM INTIMATE HIGH-POWERED GATHERINGS TO LARGE-SCALE YOUTH FESTIVALS. A FOCUS OF THIS WORK INCLUDES EXPLORATION OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE OUTDOOR INDUSTRY, NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO JOIN FORCES AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THE FOUNDATION WORKS WITH ORGANIZATIONS AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL TO DRIVE OUTDOOR PARTICIPATION. THE THRIVE OUTSIDE PROGRAM INVOLVES SUPPORTING EXISTING PROGRAMS AND PROVIDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO BUILD A LIFELONG COMMITMENT TO THE OUTDOORS. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH MEMBERS AND AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS TO EXECUTE AND ADMINISTER GRANT PROGRAMS THAT ALSO RESULT IN INCREASED OUTDOOR PARTICIPATION. CONVENING AND PARTICIPATION: FOSTERING COLLABORATION AND ACTION - THE FOUNDATION IS WORKING TO BRING TOGETHER TOP LEADERS, KEY ORGANIZATIONS, AND YOUTH ACTIVISTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN A RANGE OF ACTION-ORIENTED CONVENING EVENTS, FROM INTIMATE HIGH-POWERED GATHERINGS TO LARGE-SCALE YOUTH FESTIVALS. A FOCUS OF THIS WORK INCLUDES EXPLORATION OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE OUTDOOR INDUSTRY, NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO JOIN FORCES AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THE FOUNDATION WORKS WITH ORGANIZATIONS AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL TO DRIVE OUTDOOR PARTICIPATION. THE THRIVE OUTSIDE PROGRAM INVOLVES SUPPORTING EXISTING PROGRAMS AND PROVIDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO BUILD A LIFELONG COMMITMENT TO THE OUTDOORS. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH MEMBERS AND AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS TO EXECUTE AND ADMINISTER GRANT PROGRAMS THAT ALSO RESULT IN INCREASED OUTDOOR PARTICIPATION.
  2. $87,215 spent. RESEARCH: IDENTIFYING BEST PRACTICES AND TRENDS - THE FOUNDATION PRODUCES SPECIALIZED REPORTS EXPLORING THE TRENDS AND IMPACT OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITY IN AMERICA. STUDIES INCLUDE NATIONAL PARTICIPATION TRENDS, SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE INACTIVITY AND OBESITY CRISIS, AND SEEKING TO UNDERSTAND AND REVERSE THE GROWING INACTIVITY CRISIS AMONG YOUTH AND THE GROWING DISCONNECT BETWEEN YOUTH AND THE OUTDOORS.
  3. $16,321 spent. MISCELLANEOUS PROGRAM EXPENSES

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2000.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. 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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: The Foundation (Houston, TX), EIN 92-0742101. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 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.