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Nature Rangers Wilderness Programs

EIN 93-2878765 · Santa Barbara, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NATURE RANGERS EMPOWERS CHILDREN WITH THE TOOLS FOR LIFELONG MENTAL WELLNESS, FOSTERING RESILIENCE, CONFIDENCE, AND CURIOSITY THROUGH IMMERSIVE NATURE EXPERIENCES.

Income
$243,102
Spending
$274,269
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
0
Highest pay
$46,489, 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

Weak: 39 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 44% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs.

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

Governance

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 5 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.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $232,907 spent. 1. NATURE-BASED CAMPS FOR CHILDREN NATURE RANGERS OFFERED SEASONAL DAY CAMPS DESIGNED TO FOSTER EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE, SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS IN CHILDREN THROUGH IMMERSIVE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES. CAMP ACTIVITIES INCLUDED NATURE QUESTS, WILDERNESS SKILL CHALLENGES, AND CREATIVE EXPLORATION. THESE CAMPS SERVED OVER 140 CHILDREN DURING THE YEAR AND ACCOUNTED FOR $69,960 IN PROGRAM EXPENSES. 2. SCHOOL-YEAR NATURE PROGRAMS THE ORGANIZATION OPERATED WEEKLY WILDERNESS PROGRAMS DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR FOR HOMESCHOOL AND AFTER-SCHOOL STUDENTS. THESE PROGRAMS USED PROPRIETARY NATURE-BASED CURRICULUM TO SUPPORT MENTAL WELLNESS, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND SCIENCE EDUCATION. CHILDREN ENGAGED IN STRUCTURED OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES SUCH AS NATURE JOURNALING, MINDFULNESS HIKES, COOPERATIVE GAMES, AND SCIENTIFIC FIELDWORK. THE PROGRAMS SERVED 112 PARTICIPANTS AND INCURRED $162,816 IN 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 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 December 2024.

    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 September 2023.

    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.