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Nevada Outdoor School

EIN 90-0087367 · Winnemucca, NV

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Nevada Outdoor School inspires exploration of the natural world, responsible stewardship of habitat and dedication to community. Our vision is for Nevadans to be healthy and engaged citizens who feel connected to the natural world and choose to explore the outdoors responsibly.

Income
$958,641
Spending
$992,510
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 72%
Employees
25
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$74,993, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 September 30, 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. $202,879 spent. AmeriCorps State Corporation for National & Community Service: Nevada Outdoor School (NOS) is a subgrantee for the AmeriCorps State Formula Program in Nevada. The AmeriCorps program at NOS offers opportunities for partner non-profit and government agencies to host a national service member to help advance their mission. Some of the national service members from this grant also serve with Nevada Outdoor School to assist with the planning, implementation and devliery of our outdoor education programs.
  2. $178,904 spent. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Grants: Nevada Outdoor School (NOS) has maintained an assistance agreement with the BLM since our organization was founded in 2002. Currently we have a statewide assistance agreement that helps support our outdoor education, community outdoor events and off highway vehicles safety eduction throughout the state. We also have an assistance agreement with the Elko District to support their California Trail education programs at the California Trail Interpretive Center and with the Winnemucca District to support various community hikes, clean up projects and youth outdoor education initiatives.
  3. $123,541 spent. State of Nevada, Division of State Parks, recreational trails programs grants. Nevada Outdoor School (NOS) has maintained a strong and consistent funding partnership with Nevada State Parks for several years. These grants support expenses for our youth outdoor eduction, outdoor skills trainings and community outreach programs and any trail or campground maintenance projects.
  4. $361,463 spent. AmeriCorps State Corporation for National & Community Service: Nevada Outdoor School (NOS) is a subgrantee for the AmeriCorps State Formula Program in Nevada. The AmeriCorps program at NOS offers opportunities for partner non-profit and government agencies to host a national service member to help advance their mission. Some of the national service members from this grant also serve with Nevada Outdoor School to assist with the planning and implementation of our education programming.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 September 2025.

    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 February 2004.

    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.