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Camp Fire

EIN 95-1690969 · Long Beach, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CAMP FIRE'S MISSION IS EXPRESSED AS A PROMISE: YOUNG PEOPLE WANT TO SHAPE THE WORLD. CAMP FIRE PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIND THEIR SPARK, LIFT THEIR VOICE, AND DISCOVER WHO THEY ARE. IN CAMP FIRE, IT BEGINS NOW.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 79%
Employees
113
Volunteers
100

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: 45 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 49% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% 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

Good: 84 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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, 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 (6)
  1. $1.3 million spent. CAMP FIRE CLUBS/GROUPS - CAMP FIRE'S ORIGINAL PROGRAMS WERE CAMPS AND CAMP FIRE GROUPS/CLUBS, AND BOTH ARE STILL OFFERED TODAY. CAMP FIRE GROUPS ARE FORMED WITH VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP, USUALLY PARENTS AND CAN HAVE UP TO 15 MEMBERS AND MUST HAVE TWO LEADERS. CAMP FIRE GROUPS MAINTAIN THE SAME SAFETY STANDARDS AS ALL OTHER CAMP FIRE PROGRAMS INCLUDING FINGERPRINTING THROUGH LIVESCAN AND CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS. THESE GROUPS TYPICALLY MEET THREE TIMES A MONTH, USUALLY AFTER SCHOOL OR IN THE EARLY EVENING. THE CURRICULUM IS THRIVEOLOGY} BASED, AND OUTCOMES ARE MEASURED ANNUALLY BY EXTERNAL EVALUATORS. CAMP FIRE GROUPS PROMOTE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT THROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS WHICH MAKE POSSIBLE LARGER SCALE SERVICE PROJECTS DEPENDENT ON GREATER NUMBERS OF PARTICIPANTS TO ACHIEVE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT. ALL GROUPS ALSO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP THROUGH LOW-IMPACT CAMP PRINCIPLES, WORK PARTIES LIKE BEACH AND CAMP CLEAN-UPS, AND OUTDOOR SCIENCE EXPERIENCES IN SUMMER DAY CAMPS.
  2. ENVIRONMENTAL AND CAMPS - OUTDOOR PROGRAMS INCLUDE DAY CAMPS (SHIWAKA, BACKYARD BUNCH AND BEACH CRUISERS), INTERSESSION AND SUMMER DAY CAMPS THROUGH WRAP, RESIDENT CAMP (CAMP WINTAKA AND CAMP WASEWAGAN), AND SPECIALTY CAMP DAYS. CAMPS OFFER SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING SOCIAL SKILLS (INCLUSIVENESS AND EMPATHY), LIFE SKILLS, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, PURPOSE AND CONFIDENCE. CAMP PROGRAMS ARE ALSO PERIODICALLY MONITORED THROUGH OUTCOME MEASUREMENT CONDUCTED THROUGH SURVEYS DEVELOPED AND SUMMARIZED BY EXTERNAL CONSULTANTS. CAMP FIRE OFFERS "SCHOLARSHIPS" TO ENSURE PROGRAM EXPERIENCES FOR CAMPERS OF ALL ECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS. CAMP FIRE CAMPS ARE ACCREDITED THROUGH THE AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION, PROMISING RIGOROUS STANDARDS-BASED COMPLIANCE OF OVER 300 AREAS INCLUDING SITE, TRANSPORTATION, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT, HUMAN RESOURCES AND PROGRAM ACTIVITIES.
  3. OUT OF SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMS INCLUDE AFTER SCHOOL ACADEMIC ANDENRICHMENT PROGRAMS PROVIDED AT SIX ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS THROUGH THE LONGBEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND ONE PILOT PROGRAM THROUGH A PERMITAGREEMENT WITH THE PARKS, RECREATION, AND MARINE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITYOF LONG BEACH AT DE FOREST PARK IN NORTH LONG BEACH. AFTER SCHOOLPROGRAMS ARE OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE TO ENROLLED STUDENTS. APPROXIMATELY600 STUDENTS ARE SERVED DAILY DURING THE TRADITIONAL SCHOOL YEAR ANDANOTHER 300 DURING SUMMER PROGRAM TIME. THE WRAP PROGRAM (WINNERSREACHING AMAZING POTENTIAL) EMPHASIZES ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT THAT ISSCHOOL-SITE SPECIFIC. CAMP FIRE'S RESEARCH-BASED SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL THRIVE OLOGY} CURRICULUM IS AT THE FOUNDATION OF PROGRAM SERVICE AND IS MEASURED ANNUALLY BY EXTERNAL CONSULTANTS. 90% OF THE STAFF THATTHRIVE OLOGY} CURRICULUM IS AT THE FOUNDATION OF PROGRAM SERVICE, ANDIS MEASURED ANNUALLY BY EXTERNAL CONSULTANTS. 90% OF STAFF REPORT THAT "OUR COUNCIL IS COMMITTED TO CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT THROUGH PROGRAM QUALITY ASSESSMENTS AND IMPROVEMENT PLANNING." 97% OF STUDENTS REPORTED THAT "ADULTS AT CAMP FIRE LISTEN TO ME." 98% OF STUDENTS REPORT THEY "HELP OTHER KIDS, EVEN IF THEY AREN'T THEIR CLOSE FRIENDS." CAMP FIRE MEASURES SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING INDICATORS INCLUDING SOCIAL SKILLS (EMPATHY AND INCLUSIVENESS), LIFE SKILLS (PROBLEM SOLVING/PREPAREDNESS), CONFLICT RESOLUTION, PURPOSE, AND CONFIDENCE.
  4. TEEN SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP - 6TH-12TH GRADERS PARTICIPATE IN YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS INCLUDING THRIVE THROUGH DISCOVERY, HORIZON TEENS IN ACTION, SHIWAKA DAY CAMP AIDES (DCA), YOUTH LEADER TEAM (YLT), AND COUNSELOR IN TRAINING PROGRAMS. THESE PROGRAMS IMPLEMENT THRIVE OLOGY} METHODS FOR SUCCESS. PROGRAMS ARE PROGRESSIVE AND AS YOUTH MOVE FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL TO HIGH SCHOOL THEY ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY, TO INTERVIEW, AND TO TAKE NOTES AS PRACTICE IN LIFE SKILLS. THESE PROGRAMS CULTIVATE LEADERSHIP THAT IS APPLIED THROUGH COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS AND OUTDOOR/CAMP EXPERIENCES AS DCAS, YLTS, AND COUNSELORS.CHALLENGE COURSE - A YEAR-ROUND PROGRAM THAT FOCUSES ON INDIVIDUAL PROBLEM SOLVING AND TEAM-BUILDING THROUGH CHALLENGE BY CHOICE ACTIVITIES ON CAMP FIRE'S LOW AND HIGH ROPE COURSES. PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED TO THE COMMUNITY, SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES, AND OTHER 501(C)3 ORGANIZATIONS
  5. CHALLENGE COURSE - A YEAR-ROUND PROGRAM THAT HELPS TO BUILD GROUP COHESIVENESS. TRAINED FACILITATORS GUIDE PARTICIPANTS THROUGH A SERIES OF CHALLENGES THAT ENHANCE INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM GROWTH. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE LOW AND HIGH ROPE COURSES AND CLIMBING.
  6. OTHER PROGRAMS

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? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 January 1946.

    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.