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Bucks Rock Camp Inc

EIN 85-2943173 · New Milford, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 54 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

BUCK'S ROCK IS A RESIDENTIAL (SLEEP AWAY) SUMMER CAMP IN CT, WHERE YOUNG ARTISTS AGES 11-17 CAN MAKE AND FOLLOW THEIR OWN CHOICES, FOLLOW THEIR OWN PASSIONS, AND CREATE THEIR OWN INCREDIBLE SUMMER EXPERIENCE. OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE, NON-COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE CAMPERS OF ALL SOCIO-ECONOMIC BACKGROUND HAVE THE FREEDOM OF CHOICE TO EXPLORE THE PERFORMING AND CREATIVE ARTS.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$3.6 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
5.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 88%
Employees
213
Volunteers
26
Highest pay
$84,749, director and director of development

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

Financial health

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 46% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 54 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 October 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 (1)
  1. $3.1 million spent. TO PROVIDE AN EDUCATIONAL AND SUMMER CAMP ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUNG ARTISTS AGES 11-17. BUCK'S ROCK HOSTED ITS FIRST IN-PERSON FUNDRAISING EVENT, THE MAKE YOUR MARK GALA. THIS FISCAL YEAR BUCK'S ROCK HAD 393 CAMPERS ENROLLED ON A SLIDING SCALE: 178 OR 45.29% WERE ON SOME LEVEL OF FINANCIAL AID - OF WHICH 112 PAID NOTHING TO ATTEND CAMP, OR 28.5% OF TOTAL CAMPERS ENROLLED- AND 66 PAID WHAT THEY COULD AFFORD, OR 16.79% OF TOTAL CAMPERS ENROLLED.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending October 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since April 2021.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.