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Wilderness Education Project

EIN 88-0579271 · Nicholasville, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of the Wilderness Education Project is to develop and offer a research-based, data-informed approach to effective solutions for school districts and other educational organizations in providing a transformation in their educational systems.

Income
$6.2 million
Spending
$6.0 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 100%
Employees
3
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$172,096, executive director

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: 59 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 48% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 51% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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 (5)
  1. $1.1 million spent. Apprenticeship Build America - ABA Grant from the US Department of Labor The overall scope of ABA is to establish and increase partnerships that commit to expanding pre-apprenticeship programs, which will lead to developing and expanding Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) enrollment for our high school and opportunity youth. Project NAVIGATE aims to direct apprenticeships toward high-growth industries by working with our targeted schools to prepare students for in-demand fields while providing them with the employability skills to meet the current workforce needs.
  2. $971,814 spent. American History and Civics Education - AHC-NA Grant from the US Department of Education This program supports innovative instruction and professional development in American History, Civics and Government, and Geography by providing evidence-based professional development programs to improve the quality of teaching and student achievement with a focus on underserved populations.
  3. $3.6 million spent. Innovative Approaches to Literacy - Full-Service Community Schools Grant from the US Department of Education This program provides educational, social-emotional, college, and career preparation to support struggling students through research-based strategies to address the whole child and process a growth mindset while focusing on developing community schools as a core element of an equality strategy.
  4. $130,806 spent. American History and Civics Academies Program - AHC-Academies from the US Department of Education This program provides free, flexible, and fun opportunities for professional growth, travel throughout Kentucky and the United States, and evidence-based professional development to improve social studies, literacy, and classroom management skills.
  5. $227,590 spent. STOP School Violence Program - BJA Grant from the US Department of Justice This program provides schools with an evidence-based approach to a therapeutic program providing cognitive behavior, reality, and solution-focused therapies while building a district-wide social and emotional learning program to promote the whole child. It works to establish behavioral threat assessments to prevent and reduce targeted violence in schools to enhance school safety.

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 April 2022.

    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.

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.