Outdoor Outreach

What it reported doing in 2025

Outdoor Outreach (the Organization) was organized in September 1999 under the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law for public and charitable purposes. The mission of the Organization is to connect youth to the transformative power of the outdoors. With every opportunity to hike, bike, kayak, or climb, the youth in our programs gain two things that greatly increase their chances of success: First, opportunities to share new experiences, explore their world, and discover what theyre capable of. And second, a meaningful connection with a support system of peers and mentors who believe in them and who show them that they matter.Positive Youth DevelopmentOur overarching purpose is to support critical needs of youth from under-resourced communities through meaningful outdoor experiences and mentorship. Outdoor Outreachs adventure-based program model provides youth with tools, support systems, and confidence to face down their unique challenges, thrive, and succeed.Workforce DevelopmentOur intensive, nature-based job training program connects participants with pathways to employment in the outdoor industry and beyond. This type of early work experience has been shown to help young people graduate from high school, attain higher levels of education, avoid substance abuse, and develop a sense of self-efficacy and desire to succeed.Environmental EducationBuilding on the stepping stones of outdoor recreation, every Outdoor Outreach program has ingrained lessons on sustainability and conservation, inspiring young people to respect and protect the places where they play and forging an action-oriented connection with close-to-home green spaces.Outdoor AdvocacyOutdoor Outreach youth advocates inform local, state, and federal decision makers on the barriers some youth face in accessing outdoor spaces, and encourages them to make policy decisions that support outdoor opportunities for all. Outdoor Outreach participants have the opportunity to partake in several advocacy trainings and events each year.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 63.1%; rating input score 63
• Program expense ratio: 81.6%; rating input score 82
• Fundraising efficiency: $15.96 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 52; 52nd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 6 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 75
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 22.1%; rating input score 75; 75th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.67; rating input score 22; 22nd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.11; rating input score 46; 46th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 8.5%; rating input score 38; 38th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 12.4% per year; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 12.3% per year; rating input score 100; 73rd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 14.8% per year; rating input score 100; 74th percentile among comparable filings