Overview
What is Ecology In Classrooms And Outdoors?
Ecology In Classrooms And Outdoors (ECO) is a nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon. Their mission is to inspire students to care for nature and their local communities through hands-on science education and climate action. ECO connects children with the local environment, fostering a deeper appreciation for the environment. In 2022, their programs reached over 2,220 students from various school districts, including Corbett, Portland Public, Beaverton, and North Clackamas. These programs align with Next Generation Science Standards, Oregon Environmental Literacy Plan, and STEAM teaching targets. Collaborative partnerships with organizations such as The Wetlands Conservancy, Wisdom of the Elders, This Is My Earth (TIME), and 20 middle school teachers helped develop and share open-source lessons, educational kits, professional development training modules, and online resources on topics like renewable energy, climate justice, consumption and waste, and our built environment. ECO's educational opportunities cater to urban, rural, and underserved communities statewide, enabling students to engage in the conversation of public lands conservation and see themselves reflected in the stories told about the land. Lessons incorporate best practices from various educational frameworks, including the National Geographic Geo-Inquiry Process, the National Geographic Learning Framework, Senate Bill 13's Tribal History/Shared History Curriculum, and the Oregon Environmental Literacy Plan. With a workforce of 11 individuals, ECO aims to empower students to be engaged in the conversation of public lands conservation.
Official website here: www.ecologyoutdoors.org
What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?
Charity Navigator Rating: Needs Improvement
Ecology In Classrooms And Outdoors has received a two-star rating from Charity Navigator, indicating that there are significant areas for improvement. While the organization scores well in culture and community, it struggles in accountability and finance, particularly with a low program expense ratio of 48.62%. This suggests that a smaller portion of its budget is spent directly on programs, which is critical for donor confidence and long-term sustainability.
User feedback highlights the organization's strengths, particularly its hands-on approach to ecological education. Many reviewers commend the engaging and informative programming that connects children with the environment, fostering a spirit of stewardship. Board members and volunteers express admiration for the passionate staff and their commitment to providing impactful educational experiences, which help students understand and appreciate nature.
However, despite the glowing reviews, the financial metrics indicate a need for enhanced financial management and transparency. The lack of a posted tax form on their website and a low liabilities to assets ratio raise concerns about fiscal responsibility. This combination of positive grassroots support and underlying financial issues needs to be addressed for Ecology In Classrooms And Outdoors to strengthen its impact and trustworthiness among potential donors.
This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator and Great Nonprofits.
Is Ecology In Classrooms And Outdoors legitimate?
Ecology In Classrooms And Outdoors is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Ecology In Classrooms And Outdoors submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.
Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:
Executive Compensation: $146,866
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $179,996
For more financial information, click here
Official website here: www.ecologyoutdoors.org
What is the mission statement of Ecology In Classrooms And Outdoors?
Ecology In Classrooms and Outdoors (ECO) aims to inspire students to care for nature and their local communities by providing hands-on science education and climate action. The organization's mission is to connect kids to nature through exploration of the local ecology, engaging them in conservation education to foster a deeper appreciation for the environment. In 2022, ECO's programs, including Outdoors & Classrooms, Climate Action, Teach ECO, and Elementary Place-Based Units, reached over 2,220 students across various school districts, aligning with Next Generation Science Standards, Oregon Environmental Literacy Plan, and STEAM teaching targets. Collaborative partnerships helped develop and share open-source lessons, online resources, and educational kits on topics like renewable energy, climate justice, consumption, waste, and our built environment. ECO's learning opportunities catered to urban, rural, and underserved communities statewide, empowering students to be part of the public lands conservation conversation and see themselves reflected in the stories told about the land. Lessons incorporate best practices from various educational frameworks like the Next Generation Science Standards, National Geographic Geo-Inquiry Process, and Oregon Environmental Literacy Plan.
Official website here: www.ecologyoutdoors.org
Who is the CEO of Ecology In Classrooms And Outdoors?
Bethany Thomas is the President (Thru 2/21/22) of Ecology In Classrooms And Outdoors.
Official website here: www.ecologyoutdoors.org
What is the revenue of Ecology In Classrooms And Outdoors?
Ecology In Classrooms And Outdoors's revenue in 2022 was $527,909.
Official website here: www.ecologyoutdoors.org
Who are the executives of Ecology In Classrooms And Outdoors and what are their salaries?
The average compensation at Ecology In Classrooms And Outdoors during 2022 was $29,715. There are 11 employees and 12 volunteers at Ecology In Classrooms And Outdoors.
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- Compensation: $43,500
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Official website here: www.ecologyoutdoors.org
Where can I find the form 990 for Ecology In Classrooms And Outdoors?
Ecology In Classrooms And Outdoors's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.
Official website here: www.ecologyoutdoors.org
Learn more at the official website: www.ecologyoutdoors.org
Mission Statement of Ecology In Classrooms And Outdoors
Ecology In Classrooms and Outdoors (ECO) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring students to care for nature and their local communities through hands-on science education and climate action. The mission of ECO is to connect kids to nature by exploring local ecology and engaging them in conservation education, aiming to foster a deeper appreciation for the environment. ECO's activities in 2022 have been extensive, with over 2,220 students from various school districts, including Corbett, Portland Public, Beaverton, and North Clackamas, participating in programs that align with Next Generation Science Standards, Oregon Environmental Literacy Plan, and STEAM teaching targets. Through collaborative partnerships with organizations such as the Wetlands Conservancy, Wisdom of the Elders, This Is My Earth (TIME), and 20 middle school teachers, ECO has developed and shared open-source lessons, online resources, and educational materials on topics like renewable energy, climate justice, consumption and waste, and our built environment. ECO's classroom, virtual, and natural areas education opportunities have enabled it to reach urban, rural, and underserved communities statewide. By empowering students to engage in the conversation of public lands conservation and see themselves reflected in the stories told about the land, ECO strives to instill a sense of responsibility and ownership in the future stewards of our planet. Lessons incorporate best practices from various educational frameworks, including the Next Generation Science Standards, National Geographic Geo-Inquiry Process, National Geographic Learning Framework, Senate Bill 13's Tribal History/Shared History Curriculum, and the Oregon Environmental Literacy Plan.
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Impact
July, 2024
Ecology In Classrooms And Outdoors, also known as ECO, has made a significant impact in connecting students to nature and fostering a sense of environmental stewardship. Through their hands-on science education and climate action programs, ECO has directly engaged over 2,220 students from various school districts in Oregon. By aligning their curriculum with Next Generation Science Standards, Oregon Environmental Literacy Plan, and STEAM teaching targets, ECO ensures that students receive high-quality education rooted in environmental conservation.
Collaborative partnerships with organizations like the Wetlands Conservancy, Wisdom of the Elders, and This is My Earth have enabled ECO to develop open-source lessons, online resources, and educational materials that cover a range of topics including renewable energy, climate justice, consumption and waste, and our built environment. These resources, along with professional development training modules, empower teachers to incorporate environmental education seamlessly into their classrooms.
ECO's outreach efforts extend beyond traditional classroom settings to include virtual and natural areas education opportunities, allowing them to reach urban, rural, and underserved communities statewide. By empowering students to actively engage in conversations about public lands conservation and shaping the narratives around land stewardship, ECO instills a sense of responsibility and connection to the environment in the next generation.
Overall, Ecology In Classrooms And Outdoors' impactful programs are helping to inspire a new generation of environmentally conscious and engaged citizens who are equipped to care for nature and their local communities.
This information is meant to be a general summary of Ecology In Classrooms And Outdoors. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.
Financials
This financial information is from Propublica.
Other financial information:
This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.
- Investment Income: $2,766
- Program Service Revenue: $24,575
- Gross Receipts: $527,909
Assets and Liabilities:
- Total Assets: $1,725,534
- Total Liabilities: $31,152
- Net Assets: $1,694,382
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Programs
Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.
CLASS FEES
Revenue
$24,575
Organization Details
Founding Year
2007
Phone
(503) 680-2389Principal Officer
Bethany Thomas
Main Address
PO BOX 90293, PORTLAND, OR, 97290
Website
www.ecologyoutdoors.orgNTEE Category
Code: C60 - Environment
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