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Girlventures

EIN 94-3319189 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GIRLVENTURES PROVIDES OUTDOOR wilderness education and leadership PROGRAMS DURING THE SUMMER AND AFTERSCHOOL/weekend YEAR ROUND FOR BAY AREA GIRLS and gender expansive youth AGEs 11-18. OUR MISSION IS TO INSPIRE GIRLS TO LEAD THROUGH OUTDOOR ADVENTURE, INNER DISCOVERY AND COLLECTIVE ACTION.

Income
$690,154
Spending
$667,231
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
24
Volunteers
21
Highest pay
$97,785, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 50% 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 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (human services, $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

    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 December 31, 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 (9)
  1. $576,849 spent. Redwood AdventureThis program happens in June and this year we were able to take participants to the Harold Richardson Reserve on the Sonoma Coast. Our participants for this course are entering 6th-7th grade and for many this is their first experience camping, and for others the first time without their families. We were welcomed to this space via Save the Redwoods League who were incredible hosts.
  2. Project CourageThis ten day course is for participants who are entering the 7th and 8th grade. It is a course centering around kayaking in the Tomales Bay and the participants carry everything they will need for the expedition. This course builds upon the experiences of Redwood Adventure and allows for a longer experience to build outdoor skills.
  3. TransitionsThis course returned to the Courtright Reservoir in August in the Sierra National Forest and John Muir Wilderness for 14 days of backpacking through the area. Participants were able to experience climbing with rappelling and abseiling with our instructors.
  4. On The RiseThis is another 14 day course for students entering 10-12th grade. This is a leadership course where students backpack and climb in the Sierra National Forest and John Muir Wilderness. Throughout the course students focus on building community via exploring social justice, identity and leadership building. Students from this course are encouraged to become assistant instructors or join the Youth Advisory Board.
  5. Fierce and FabulousThis course is open to all students that identify as LBGBT+ and are in 9th-12th grade. This is one of the newest courses offered that grows every year, unfortunately we were not able to run this course due to Covid. We were able to offer spots in other courses for the students that they happily joined.
  6. Rising TogetherRISING TOGETHER IS AN AFFINITY COURSE CENTERED IN THE EMPOWERMENT OF BIPOCYOUTH IN 9TH-12TH GRADE. THIS WEEKLONG BACKPACKING COURSE IS LED BY INSTRUCTORS THAT REFLECT THE IDENTITIES OF THE STUDENTS. STUDENTS EXPLORED THE HIGH SIERRAS AND REFLECTED ON BEING IN THE OUTDOORS AS A YOUNG PERSON AND HOW TO FEEL CONFIDENT AND STRONG IN THAT SPACE
  7. Explore OutsideOUR SCHOOL YEAR PROGRAM PROVIDES ONE AND TWO DAY HIKING, CAMPING AND KAYAKING EXCURSIONS FOR COHORTS OF COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL PARTNER PARTICIPANTS, FOCUSED ON THE POINT REYES WILDERNESS AND TOMALES BAY.
  8. Girls Climb OnOUR POPULAR CLIMBING PROGRAM FOR 6TH-10TH GRADERS TOOK PLACE OVER 9 WEEKS IN THE FALL AT PACIFIC PIPE GYM IN OAKLAND. STUDENTS ARE PAIRED WITH ADULT MENTORS ONCE WEEKLY AFTER SCHOOL.
  9. Assistant InstructorsThe AI program is one that GV is very excited to build upon every year. The pipeline of participants moving to being an instructor is fundamental to our programs and equity and inclusion in the outdoor industry. The AIs embody our Leadership Progression model and this year we were happy to have them join us on two courses as well as fulfilling roles in Logistics and planning the courses.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 November 6, 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 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 June 1999.

    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 November 4, 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.