Form 990 for tax year 2024
Filed by WILDERNESS YOUTH PROJECT INCORPORATED.
Totals
- Total revenue
- $6,234,216
- Total expenses
- $4,164,229
- Contributions and grants received
- $5,199,661
- Grants paid
- $0
- Program service revenue
- $753,196
- Investment income
- $122,835
- Other revenue
- $158,524
- Total assets, end of year
- $6,503,869
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $432,025
- Net assets or fund balances, end of year
- $6,071,844
- Program services expenses (Part IX)
- $3,238,697
- Management and general expenses
- $479,699
- Fundraising expenses
- $445,833
- Program service expenses (Part III)
- $3,238,697
Program services were 77.8% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.
Line items
Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.
Revenue
Part VIII, the statement of revenue.
-
1e · Government grants (contributions)
$487,790
-
1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants
$4,711,871
-
1g · Noncash contributions included above
$39,969
-
2a · Program service revenue: Program Fees
total $753,196 · related or exempt $753,196
-
3 · Investment income
total $63,476 · excluded $63,476
-
4 · Income from investment of tax-exempt bond proceeds
total $0
-
5 · Royalties
total $0
-
6a · Gross rents
real property $6,000
-
6c · Rental income or loss
real property $6,000
-
6d · Net rental income or loss
total $6,000 · related or exempt $6,000
-
7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory
securities $537,383 · other assets $3,000
-
7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses
securities $481,024
-
7c · Gain or loss
securities $56,359 · other assets $3,000
-
7d · Net gain or loss
total $59,359 · related or exempt $59,359
-
8a · Fundraising events: gross income
$204,090
-
8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses
$58,955
-
8c · Net income from fundraising events
total $145,135 · excluded $145,135
-
9c · Net income from gaming
total $0
-
10c · Net income from sales of inventory
total $0
-
11a · Other revenue: Other
total $7,389 · related or exempt $7,389
-
11e · Other revenue, total
$7,389
Functional expenses
Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.
-
1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments
total $0
-
2 · Grants to domestic individuals
total $0
-
3 · Grants to foreign organizations and individuals
total $0
-
4 · Benefits paid to or for members
total $0
-
5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
total $95,874 · program services $95,874
-
6 · Compensation of disqualified persons
total $0
-
7 · Other salaries and wages
total $2,725,759 · program services $2,117,876 · management and general $288,418 · fundraising $319,465
-
8 · Pension plan contributions
total $0
-
9 · Other employee benefits
total $0
-
10 · Payroll taxes
total $228,571 · program services $178,008 · management and general $23,433 · fundraising $27,130
-
11a · Fees: management
total $0
-
11b · Fees: legal
total $0
-
11c · Fees: accounting
total $32,796 · program services $3,714 · management and general $29,082
-
11d · Fees: lobbying
total $0
-
11e · Fees: professional fundraising services
total $27,304 · fundraising $27,304
-
11f · Fees: investment management
total $11,351 · management and general $11,351
-
11g · Fees: other
total $10,212 · program services $3,055 · management and general $3,851 · fundraising $3,306
-
12 · Advertising and promotion
total $47,795 · program services $11,258 · fundraising $36,537
-
13 · Office expenses
total $40,521 · program services $18,248 · management and general $9,766 · fundraising $12,507
-
14 · Information technology
total $10,188 · program services $5,087 · management and general $5,101
-
15 · Royalties
total $0
-
16 · Occupancy
total $142,154 · program services $114,744 · management and general $14,953 · fundraising $12,457
-
17 · Travel
total $0
-
18 · Travel or entertainment for public officials
total $0
-
19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings
total $0
-
20 · Interest
total $0
-
21 · Payments to affiliates
total $0
-
22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization
total $68,785 · program services $64,639 · management and general $4,146
-
23 · Insurance
total $62,745 · program services $56,159 · management and general $6,016 · fundraising $570
-
24a · Other expenses: Program Expenses
total $407,438 · program services $407,438
-
24b · Other expenses: Automobile Expenses
total $106,005 · program services $105,641 · management and general $339 · fundraising $25
-
24c · Other expenses: MISCELLANEOUS
total $97,783 · program services $27,938 · management and general $69,143 · fundraising $702
-
24d · Other expenses: Education & Training
total $29,595 · program services $27,965 · management and general $1,121 · fundraising $509
-
24e · All other expenses
total $19,353 · program services $1,053 · management and general $12,979 · fundraising $5,321
Balance sheet
Part X, book values.
-
1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing
beginning of year $1,217,331 · end of year $1,760,725
-
2 · Savings and temporary cash investments
beginning of year $203,840 · end of year $807,038
-
3 · Pledges and grants receivable
beginning of year $152,240 · end of year $388,589
-
4 · Accounts receivable
beginning of year $10,972 · end of year $3,156
-
5 · Loans and receivables from officers and key people
end of year $0
-
6 · Loans and receivables from disqualified persons
end of year $0
-
7 · Other notes and loans receivable
end of year $0
-
8 · Inventories for sale or use
end of year $0
-
9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges
beginning of year $31,753 · end of year $36,681
-
10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis
$910,507
-
10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation
$562,559
-
10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net
beginning of year $349,810 · end of year $347,948
-
11 · Investments: publicly traded securities
beginning of year $2,077,530 · end of year $2,270,892
-
12 · Investments: other securities
beginning of year $67,524 · end of year $212,685
-
13 · Investments: program-related
end of year $0
-
14 · Intangible assets
end of year $0
-
15 · Other assets
beginning of year $210,074 · end of year $676,155
-
17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses
beginning of year $232,428 · end of year $180,334
-
19 · Deferred revenue
beginning of year $90,452 · end of year $87,875
-
25 · Other liabilities
beginning of year $213,817 · end of year $163,816
-
27 · Net assets without donor restrictions
beginning of year $2,307,511 · end of year $3,803,169
-
28 · Net assets with donor restrictions
beginning of year $1,476,866 · end of year $2,268,675
Mission and programs · 2024
Mission
The mission of Wilderness Youth Project (WYP) is to foster confidence, health and a life-long love of learning for young people and families through active outdoor experiences and mentoring. WYP envisions teaching the next generation to be peaceful, respectful and confident stewards of our world.American children spend over 90% of their time indoors. All children need nature. Not just the ones whose families have privilege and easy access to nature. Not only those of a certain race or economic class or culture or gender or sexual identity or language or set of abilities. Partnering with schools and agencies, WYP has increased access to nature connection and outdoor enrichment programs for marginalized youth.
Activities or mission (Part I)
The mission of WYP is to foster confidence, health and a life-long love of learning for young people and families through active outdoor experiences and mentoring. WYP envisions teaching the next generation to be peaceful, respectful and confident stewards of our world.
-
Wilderness Youth Project (WYP) ~ Nature Connection ProgramsNature makes children smarter, healthier, happier, and more likely to care for the planet. In 2024, WYP programs served 1,298 youth through outdoor enrichment programs: 43 weekly school-year and after-school programs, and 660 summer camp spots serving children ages three through eighteen. Through fundraising, WYP was able to provide scholarships to 76% of participants.In addition to WYPs youth nature-mentoring programs, Wilderness Youth Project acts as fiscal sponsor to two separate entity programs: REACH and Sea League (SL), described below.
Expenses $2,135,137 · Revenue $720,683
-
REACH (Resilience, Education, Adventure, Community and Health) is a two-and-a-half-year program that provides transformative support and development opportunities to first-generation students as they navigate the transition from high school to postsecondary education and other opportunities. The program offers a blend of programming focused on academic preparation, outdoor experiences, and personal development that helps students cultivate their leadership skills, foster impactful relationships, and engage in experiences essential for their path from school to a fulfilling career. By engaging participants in academic and personal development activities, building outdoor skills and resilience, and providing direct mentorship, the program develops graduates who will not only advance in their careers but also exhibit leadership and contribute positively to their communities.REACH recruits an average of 155 high school juniors annually, working with up to three cohorts at a time, and supports them through the summer after their first year in college. Post-program graduation, students continue to receive mentorship as needed, resources to achieve their college success and outdoor access. In 2024, the REACH program was fully funded by a single donor.REACH income for the year ended December 31, 2024 totaled $1,545,960 and expenses totaled $798,425 resulting in an increase of net assets of $747,535.
Expenses $798,425
-
Sea League (TSL) - SL is an after-school program dedicated to providing year-round, equitable opportunities for youth to engage in ocean recreations such as surfing, stand up paddling, kayaking, and environmental education. TSL offers a sliding scale fee structure, making programs accessible regardless of economic circumstances. This commitment to inclusivity ensures a welcoming and diverse community, where children from all backgrounds can enjoy and benefit from nature-connected activities, fostering a sense of belonging in ocean spaces.Sea Leagues mission is to create immersive opportunities for youth to explore, play and build community in marine habitats.Sea League income for the year ended December 31, 2024 totaled $363,986 and expenses totaled $305,135 resulting in an increase of net assets of $58,851.Sea League had a transformative year in 2024, staying true to our mission while expanding to serve more youth than anticipated. We engaged 172 participants, who spent an average of 19 hours in the water. 60% identified as from underserved communities and over 60% received scholarships to ensure equitable access. We delivered 384 hours of swim lessons to empower youth from diverse backgrounds to join our ocean focus programs. Activities ranged from sailing and snorkeling in kelp forests to overnight camps and marine science workshops.Our collaborations with UCSB Coastal Fund, SB Sailing Center, and Benioff Ocean Science Lab helped enrich the experience with hands-on STEM learning and ecological literacy. Participants reported significant personal growth, with 86% noting they were challenged to try new things and work as a team.
Expenses $305,135 · Revenue $32,513
As filed on the 2024 return.
Listed in Part VII
-
Sharon Buczaczer
Program Director
- Total calculated
- $107,227
- From this org
- $107,227
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Hours/week
- 40
-
Daniel Fontaine
Executive Director
- Total calculated
- $104,107
- From this org
- $104,107
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Hours/week
- 40
-
Erika Lindemann
Associate Director
- Total calculated
- $104,107
- From this org
- $104,107
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Hours/week
- 40
-
Chris Ragland
SEA LEA DIR/TRU
- Total calculated
- $95,874
- From this org
- $95,874
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Hours/week
- 40
-
Carrie Kappel
Chairman
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Amy Schneider
Vice Chair
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Laura Russell
Treasurer
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Devon Azzam
Secretary
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
April Price
Trustee
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Brook Eiler
Trustee
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Graciela Cabello
Trustee
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Marlen Limn
Trustee
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Kristen Sullivan
Trustee
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Franky Viveros
Trustee
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Lisa Bass
Trustee
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Raquel Lopez
Trustee
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those.
Grants on this return
No itemized grants to organizations on this return.
Provenance
- Return type
- form_990
- Tax year
- 2024
- Filed
- 15 May 2025
- IRS schema version
- 2024v5.1
- Source object
- 202511359349312771
Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.
The source document this was parsed from is served over the API, which is where bulk and document access live.