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PHILADELPHIA OUTWARD BOUND CENTER

EIN 56-2472884 PHILADELPHIA, PA

Revenue 2025
$3,509,052
Expenses 2025
$3,613,892

Program services were 58.1% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

As filed

Subsection
03
NTEE code
O50
Classification
1000
Street
3401 RESERVOIR DR

These codes are the IRS's own and are shown exactly as filed. What each one means is in the Business Master File documentation (opens in a new tab).

Mission and programs · 2025

Mission

THE PHILADELPHIA OUTWARD SCHOOL'S (POBS) MISSION IS TO SPARK LIFELONG GROWTH THROUGH CHALLENGE - OUTSIDE. WE FACILITATE ADVENTUROUS LEARNING, ROOTED IN THE OUTDOORS, TO UNLOCK CONFIDENCE, CURIOSITY, AND THE SKILLS TO THRIVE WITH PURPOSE.

Activities or mission (Part I)

THE PHILADELPHIA OUTWARD SCHOOL (POBS) SPARKS LIFELONG GROWTH THROUGH CHALLENGE - OUTSIDE. WE FACILITATE ADVENTUROUS LEARNING, ROOTED IN THE OUTDOORS, TO UNLOCK CONFIDENCE, CURIOSITY, AND THE SKILLS TO THRIVE WITH PURPOSE. POBS PRIMARILY SERVES YOUTH 12-18 YEARS THROUGH SINGLE DAY PROGRAMS AND MULTI DAY EXPEDITIONS. POBS ALSO OFFERS PROFESSIONAL TEAM- BUILDING EXPERIENCES FOR ADULTS.

  • INSIGHT PROGRAMS ARE ONE-DAY FACILITATED OUTWARD BOUND EXPERIENCES HELD AT OUR HEADQUARTERS AT THE DISCOVERY CENTER IN FAIRMOUNT PARK AND IN WISSAHICKON VALLEY PARK. PARTICIPANTS MOVE THROUGH A PROGRESSION OF ACTIVITIES BEGINNING WITH GROUND-BASED TEAM CHALLENGES AND BUILDING TOWARD A PEAK EXPERIENCE SUCH AS CLIMBING THE HIGH ROPES COURSE. EACH PROGRAM DAY IS DESIGNED TO BUILD CONNECTION, COMMUNICATION, AND CONFIDENCE WITHIN A GROUP. IN 2025, POBS SERVED 5,502 YOUTH THROUGH THIS INTRODUCTORY-LEVEL PROGRAM. THEY CAME PRIMARILY FROM SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OTHER NEARBY DISTRICT PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOLLOWED BY YOUTH FROM CHARTER AND INDEPENDENT/PRIVATE SCHOOLS. STUDENTS SPANNED GRADES 6 - 12. FOR MANY YOUNG PEOPLE, SPENDING 5-6 HOURS IMMERSED IN OUTDOOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROVIDES A RARE AND FORMATIVE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THE NATURAL WORLD, CHALLENGE THEMSELVES, AND DISCOVER NEW POSSIBILITIES. IN 2025, POBS SURVEYED 760 INSIGHT STUDENTS TO MEASURE THE IMPACT OF OUR PROGRAMS. COMBINED WITH FINDINGS FROM STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN OUR MULTI- DAY WILDERNESS EXPEDITIONS, THE LARGEST GROWTH AREAS WERE GROUP RELATIONSHIPS, ASSERTIVENESS, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. HIGHLIGHTS FROM POBS' 2025 STUDENT SURVEYS INCLUDE: 92% ARE MORE AWARE OF HOW TO SUPPORT OTHERS 87% FEEL MORE CONNECTED TO THEIR PEERS 89% GAINED CONFIDENCE TO TRY NEW THINGS 91% ARE EXCITED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEMSELVES AND OTHERS

    Expenses $2,098,273 · Revenue $1,483,949

  • EXPEDITION PROGRAMS ARE IMMERSIVE, MULTI-DAY WILDERNESS EXPERIENCES THAT ACCELERATE SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SKILLS RELATED TO COURAGE, BELONGING, REFLECTION, AND PHYSICAL ENGAGEMENT. PARTICIPANTS PRIMARILY COME FROM A SCHOOL'S SPECIFIC GRADE LEVEL, A LEADERSHIP GROUP, CLUB, OR AFFINITY COHORT. EXPEDITIONS RANGE 5-14 DAYS AND TAKE PLACE ALONG THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL IN THE DELAWARE WATER GAP. ALONG WITH THE RIGORS OF CAMPING, STUDENTS ENGAGE IN 2-3 PHYSICAL CHALLENGES (HIKING, CANOEING, AND ROCK CLIMBING). TOGETHER, THEY NAVIGATE SHARING TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES: COOKING, DECISION MAKING, ROUTE PLANNING, AND PROBLEM-SOLVING. POBS ALSO OFFERS MERIT-BASED 100% SCHOLARSHIP SUMMER EXPEDITIONS OPEN TO YOUTH THROUGHOUT THE REGION. THESE OPPORTUNITIES ATTRACT MOTIVATED STUDENTS WHO PREVIOUSLY PARTICIPATED PREVIOUSLY IN A ONE-DAY INSIGHT PROGRAM OR A SCHOOL/GROUP SPONSORED EXPEDITION. IN 2025, 611 YOUTH PARTICIPATED IN A MULTI-DAY WILDERNESS EXPEDITION; 418 OF THESE STUDENTS WERE SURVEYED POST COURSE TO MEASURE THE IMPACT OF OUR PROGRAMS. COMBINED WITH FINDINGS FROM STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN INSIGHT DAYS, THE LARGEST GROWTH AREAS WERE GROUP RELATIONSHIPS, ASSERTIVENESS, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. HIGHLIGHTS FROM POBS' 2025 STUDENT SURVEYS INCLUDE: 92% ARE MORE AWARE OF HOW TO SUPPORT OTHERS 87% FEEL MORE CONNECTED TO THEIR PEERS 89% GAINED CONFIDENCE TO TRY NEW THINGS EXPEDITIONS TAKE THREE BASIC FORMS. 1). PEER LEADERSHIP COURSES ARE 5-7 DAY WILDERNESS COURSES THAT ENGAGE PARTICIPANTS WITH PEERS IN CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENTS TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP AND PERSONAL SKILLS. THEY ARE EITHER BACKPACKING OR CANOEING EXPEDITIONS IN THE FALL OR SPRING. SCHOOLS USE THESE AS PART OF A PROGRAM PROGRESSION FOR THEIR 8TH - 12TH GRADE STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED EARLIER IN INSIGHT PROGRAMS. THESE ARE ALSO A POPULAR FORMAT FOR SUMMER OPEN ENROLLMENT COURSES THAT ATTRACT STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER WHO SEEK A CHALLENGE. 2) GET OUT AND LEAD (GOAL) IS AN ANNUAL 10-DAY MERIT-AWARD SUMMER EXPEDITION FOR PHILADELPHIA REGION TWELVE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE CREW BRINGS TOGETHER MOTIVATED STUDENTS SELECTED FROM A VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS FOR A MIX OF BACKPACKING, CANOEING AND ROCK- CLIMBING. STUDENTS MUST APPLY, PROVIDE REFERENCES, AND INTERVIEW TO BE CONSIDERED. 3) YOUTH LEADERSHIP CORPS IS AN ANNUAL 14-DAY MERIT-AWARD SUMMER EXPEDITION FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. DEPENDING ON FUNDING, THERE CAN BE ONE TO TWO CREWS (12 STUDENTS EACH). IN 2025 THERE WAS ONE CREW. THIS COURSE ALSO BRINGS TOGETHER MOTIVATED STUDENTS SELECTED FROM A VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS FOR A MIX OF BACKPACKING, CANOEING AND ROCK-CLIMBING. STUDENTS MUST APPLY, PROVIDE REFERENCES, AND INTERVIEW TO BE CONSIDERED.

  • EDUCATOR AND OTHER ADULT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS PRIMARILY USE THE SINGLE DAY INSIGHT MODEL ADAPTED FOR A MATURE STUDENT WORKING IN EDUCATION, NONPROFIT, AND CORPORATE SETTINGS. POBS CUSTOMIZES THE PROGRAM TO ADDRESS EACH ORGANIZATION'S TEAMWORK, COMMUNICATION, AND PROBLEM-SOLVING GOALS. THE EXCEPTION IS THE 7-DAY SUMMER CANOE EXPEDITION FOR EDUCATORS FROM POBS' PARTNER SCHOOLS AND YOUTH-SERVING PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. IN BOTH CASES, PARTICIPANTS BUILD TRUST AND GAIN NEW PERSPECTIVES ON LEADERSHIP. EDUCATORS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS GAIN A DIRECT AND DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE OUTWARD BOUND EDUCATION MODEL AND ARE THEN BETTER EQUIPPED TO SUPPORT THE TRANSFER OF THEIR STUDENTS' LEARNING FROM POBS COURSE TO CLASSROOM TO COMMUNITY. IN 2025, POBS ENGAGED 520 TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS INVOLVED IN SECONDARY EDUCATION AS WELL AS 908 OTHER ADULTS RANGING FROM VETERANS AND PEOPLE WORKING IN THE CORPORATE, GOVERNMENT, AND NONPROFIT SECTORS. AFTER COMPLETING A PROGRAM WITH THEIR TEAM, 85% OF THE 2025 PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS SURVEYED AGREED OR STRONGLY AGREED THAT THEY FELT MORE COMMITTED TO THEIR TEAM'S SUCCESS AND 80% AGREED THAT THEY FEEL MORE ALIGNED WITH THEIR TEAM'S GOALS. RESPONDING TO HOW MUCH THE PROGRAM HELPED THEM DEVELOP, STRENGTHEN, OR BECOME MORE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS, 83% AGREED THAT IT HELPED THEM WITH COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND 87% AGREED THAT THEY BECAME MORE AWARE OF THE NEEDS OF THEIR TEAM.

  • A TOP AND ONGOING PRIORITY FOR POBS REMAINS DEEPENING PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND RESIDENTS OF STRAWBERRY MANSION, THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT SURROUNDS THE DISCOVERY CENTER, OUR HEADQUARTERS IN EAST FAIRMOUNT PARK. SINCE 2018, POBS HAS SHARED THIS WORLD-CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FACILITY WITH AUDUBON MID-ATLANTIC (AMA). COMMUNITY INPUT WAS CRITICAL FOR CREATING THE DISCOVERY CENTER. EVER SINCE THE FACILITY OPENED IN 2018, POBS AND AMA HAVE WORKED TO OFFER A MONTHLY SCHEDULE OF PROGRAMMING FOR THE COMMUNITY. THESE DISCOVERY DAYS OFFER A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES USING BOTH INDOOR AND OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS, EXHIBITS, TRAILS, CLIMBING WALL, HIGH ROPES COURSE, THE 37-ACRE LAKE, AND BIRD WATCHING LOOKOUTS. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC YEAR-ROUND, POBS COLLABORATED WITH AMA TO OFFER 10 WEEKEND EVENTS DESIGNED TO INTRODUCE COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO EACH ORGANIZATION'S RESPECTIVE PROGRAMS. POBS AND AMA ORGANIZE ONGOING ADVISORY GROUP MEETINGS AND THE VOLUNTEERS PLAN AND PROMOTE THE EVENTS. THIS CONSISTENT OUTREACH FOSTERS NEIGHBORHOOD ADULTS' UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT POBS AND AMA OFFER AND BUILDS THE TRUST CRITICAL FOR THEM TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN'S PARTICIPATION IN PROGRAMS. IN 2025, POBS AND AMA CONTINUED TO HOST A 10-WEEK PAID SUMMER ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FOR A SMALL GROUP OF YOUTH RECRUITED FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD. IT IS A PIPELINE THAT CULTIVATES YOUTH AWARENESS OF AND INTEREST IN OUTDOOR EDUCATION JOBS.

As filed on the 2025 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Officers and directors · 2025

As listed in Part VII of the 2025 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

  • JUSTIN ENNIS

    EXECUTIVE DI

    Total calculated
    $167,599
    From this org
    $155,092
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $12,507
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $155,092
    Bonus
    not reported
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    not reported
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,507
    Filer's total
    $167,599

  • JENNEL JOHNSON

    DIRECTOR OF

    Total calculated
    $125,920
    From this org
    $119,424
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $6,496
    Hours/week
    40

  • MATT NORCINI

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • CLAIRE ROBERTSON-KRAFT

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ALLISON MARTIN NGUYEN

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DONALD MOBLEY

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • KATE FITZGERALD

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ANDREW ADAMS

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • STEVEN CHINTAMAN

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • KEENAN CORRIGAN

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • NYRON CRAWFORD

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JOHN D'ANNA

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0

  • CORY DULANEY

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DR CRYSTAL EDWARDS

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • BETSY LONGSTRETH

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DANIELLE MERRIT-ROBINSON EDD

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • GREGORY MIRAGLIA

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • NANCY PETERSON

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • HOMER ROBINSON

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • KIMBERLY TOGMAN

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • BRYAN TRACY

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MICHAEL VAN PELT

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • PAUL VERNON

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • WHIT WEBSTER

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • KELLAN WHITE

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

The first 25 listed. 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. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.

Filings

  • 2025
    Revenue
    $3,509,052
    Expenses
    $3,613,892
    Contributions
    $1,770,963
    Grants paid
    $0
  • 2024
    Revenue
    $3,211,888
    Expenses
    $3,186,775
    Contributions
    $1,902,402
    Grants paid
    $0
  • 2023
    Revenue
    $3,062,673
    Expenses
    $3,643,724
    Contributions
    $1,884,451
    Grants paid
    $0
  • 2022
    Revenue
    $3,462,156
    Expenses
    $3,576,426
    Contributions
    $2,216,857
    Grants paid
    $0

The four totals the IRS asks for on Part I of the Form 990, as filed. A dash means the figure was not present on the return — not that it was zero.

Other returns filed

  • 2021 · 990

    Revenue
    $2,941,532
    Expenses
    $2,512,387
    Assets (EOY)
    $3,252,611

  • 2020 · 990

    Revenue
    $2,221,991
    Expenses
    $1,949,175
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,742,067

  • 2019 · 990

    Revenue
    $2,792,606
    Expenses
    $2,440,876
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,993,245

  • 2018 · 990

    Revenue
    $2,419,074
    Expenses
    $2,015,946
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,431,967

  • 2017 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,642,555
    Expenses
    $1,693,068
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,049,427

  • 2016 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,529,412
    Expenses
    $1,511,682
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,028,626

  • 2015 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,498,044
    Expenses
    $1,397,320
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,270,760

  • 2014 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,458,863
    Expenses
    $1,255,840
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,079,193

  • 2013 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,482,691
    Expenses
    $1,177,036
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,040,574

  • 2012 · 990

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    $1,012,892
    Assets (EOY)
    $681,472

Nonprofiteer parses Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF, in a window of recent tax years. These returns are recorded from the IRS e-file index, so their figures were extracted by that index rather than read from the return here — treat them as a different source from the filings above, not as more of the same record. A dash means the index carries no figure; Form 990-T listings carry none at all. Showing the 10 most recent; the API carries the rest.

Grants made

No itemized grants to organizations. Schedule I is filed only by organizations that granted more than $5,000 to a recipient, so most filers have none.

Grants received

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Related organizations

From Schedule R Part II, where a filer lists the tax-exempt organizations it is related to by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

Declared on its 2025 return

Declared as related by

Other IRS files

Auto-Revocation List

Not listed. The IRS publishes this list for organizations whose exemption was automatically revoked for failing to file for three consecutive years.

Publication 78

Listed as of 13 October 2026, under deductibility PC.

These are two separate IRS files on two separate schedules, shown as published and not reconciled with each other. Neither is a statement about whether a contribution is deductible today: 19,245 organizations appear in Publication 78 while the IRS's own revocation file lists them as currently revoked, more than half of those revoked before 2019. Absence from Publication 78 is evidence of nothing, and presence is not evidence either. Verify current status with the IRS before relying on it.

What this page reflects

The registration facts above come from the IRS Business Master File published 13 October 2026 and read 26 October 2026, for every organization at once. Returns through tax year 2025, the newest we have parsed for this organization.