Overview
What is Wild Bear Nature Center?
Wild Bear Nature Center is a nonprofit organization, based in Nederland, Colorado, dedicated to fostering a lifelong connection to nature and community. Operating for over two decades, the center offers educational opportunities for children aged 5-15 outside of school hours, catering to after-school, days off, and summer programs. The center is a CCCAP provider, and 49% of its participants are low-income, with programs accessible through CCCAP and donor-supported scholarships. During the 2021-22 period, Wild Bear hosted 240 programs for 1,780 children, enabling them to explore the Indial Peaks wilderness, Mud Lake, Caibou Ranch open spaces, and other surrounding natural areas. The center also provides natural science programs to surrounding school districts at Mud Lake or the Nature Center, catering to 656 children through 20 school group programs. In addition to its programs for children, Wild Bear offers intergenerational family programs and visits at a temporary nature center, engaging people of all ages in hands-on nature exhibits. In 2021, the center provided 59 adult/family programs to 1,541 participants and enjoyed 23,348 general visitors to the free nature center. Wild Bear Nature Center has been instrumental in the preservation of Mud Lake Open Space, organizing the community to remove 30 tons of trash, making it one of the healthiest wetland habitats in Boulder County. Currently, the center is in a capital campaign to build its permanent home on its five acres at Mud Lake and Caibou Ranch Open Spaces.
Official website here: www.wildbear.org
What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?
Charity Navigator Rating: 95% (Four-Star out of Four Star rating)
Wild Bear Nature Center has achieved an impressive Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, reflecting its strong commitment to accountability and financial health. The high score is primarily based on its exceptional performance in the Accountability & Finance category, indicating that the organization operates with transparency and sound financial practices. Such ratings are vital for instilling confidence among donors and stakeholders.
The organization demonstrates outstanding governance with 100% independent board members and effective oversight, receiving full marks in various accountability measures. Additionally, its financial management is robust, with a very low liabilities-to-assets ratio and minimal fundraising costs, ensuring that a significant portion of expenses is directed towards programs and services offered.
Despite these strengths, the program expense ratio indicates that while a substantial amount is allocated to programs, there is still room for improvement in maximizing programmatic spending. Overall, Wild Bear Nature Center stands out as a financially stable and well-managed nonprofit, dedicated to its mission and responsible stewardship of resources.
This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.
What do the Facebook reviews say about Wild Bear Nature Center?
100% of 13 reviewers on Facebook wholeheartedly endorse Wild Bear Nature Center. Here’s a summary of their comments:
The majority of reviewers express enthusiasm about the nonprofit's offerings, praising their beautiful store and the meaningful programs designed for families. The positive sentiment suggests a strong appreciation for the center's mission and services, indicating that visitors feel it provides valuable experiences and resources for all ages.
Overall, the reviews reflect a welcoming environment where families can connect with nature and engage in enriching educational activities. Wild Bear Nature Center clearly resonates with its community, fostering a supportive atmosphere that leaves a lasting impact.
This AI summary has been generated from reviews found on Facebook.
Is Wild Bear Nature Center legitimate?
Wild Bear Nature Center is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Wild Bear Nature Center 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: $0
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $376,074
For more financial information, click here
Official website here: www.wildbear.org
What is the mission statement of Wild Bear Nature Center?
For over two decades, the Wild Bear Nature Center has fostered lifelong connections to nature and community through creative exploration of the outdoors. The center, known for its focus on mountain ecology, invites visitors to engage in hands-on activities at its nature center and offers year-round educational programs for individuals of all ages. By inspiring a connection to nature and community, the Wild Bear Nature Center aims to encourage a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors since its establishment in 1997. Key initiatives include the preservation of Mud Lake Open Space and the removal of 30 tons of trash to create one of the healthiest wetland habitats in the area. Currently, the center is involved in a capital campaign to construct a permanent home on its five acres at Mud Lake and Caribou Ranch Open Spaces, with development design of the nature center already completed.
Official website here: www.wildbear.org
Who is the CEO of Wild Bear Nature Center?
Andrew Neal is the Executive Di of Wild Bear Nature Center.
Official website here: www.wildbear.org
What is the revenue of Wild Bear Nature Center?
Wild Bear Nature Center's revenue in 2022 was $2,650,648.
Official website here: www.wildbear.org
Who are the executives of Wild Bear Nature Center and what are their salaries?
The average compensation at Wild Bear Nature Center during 2022 was $13,431. There are 28 employees and 107 volunteers at Wild Bear Nature Center.
Here are 9 key members and their salaries:
- Compensation: $82,908
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
Official website here: www.wildbear.org
Where can I find the form 990 for Wild Bear Nature Center?
Wild Bear Nature Center's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.
Official website here: www.wildbear.org
Learn more at the official website: www.wildbear.org
Mission Statement of Wild Bear Nature Center
Wild Bear Nature Center, a nonprofit organization established in 1997, has dedicated its mission towards fostering a lifelong connection to nature and community. This is achieved through creative exploration of the outdoors, with a special focus on mountain ecology. Over the past 27 years, the center has been instrumental in helping both children and adults forge lasting relationships with nature.
The center offers a variety of educational programs for individuals of all ages, with its hands-on nature center serving as a hub for these activities. Wild Bear Nature Center's efforts extend beyond the confines of its facility, as it plays a key role in preserving the Mud Lake Open Space. In 2000, the center spearheaded a community initiative to remove 30 tons of trash, transforming Mud Lake into one of the healthiest wetland habitats in Boulder County.
Recently, Wild Bear Nature Center has embarked on a capital campaign to construct a permanent home on its five-acre property at Mud Lake and Caribou Ranch Open Spaces. The organization has also completed the development design of the nature center, marking a significant step towards realizing its long-term vision.
Shop smarter and support your favorite cause with the Give Freely browser extension. Save money with coupons and donate to charity with a single click. Download now!
Impact
June, 2024
Wild Bear Nature Center has a significant impact on the community by inspiring a lifelong connection to nature through creative exploration of the outdoors. They provide educational opportunities for children ages 5-15 outside of school hours, reaching a diverse group of participants including low-income families through scholarship programs. In 2021-22, Wild Bear offered 240 programs to 1,780 children, allowing them to explore the Indian Peaks Wilderness, Mud Lake, Caribou Ranch Open Spaces, and other natural areas.
Additionally, Wild Bear provides natural science programs to local school districts, benefitting 656 children through 20 school group programs. Their intergenerational family programs and free interim nature center engage people of all ages in hands-on nature exhibits, with 59 adult/family programs reaching 1,541 participants and attracting 23,348 general visitors.
Moreover, Wild Bear has played a key role in the preservation of Mud Lake Open Space, organizing community efforts to remove 30 tons of trash and making it one of the healthiest wetland habitats in Boulder County. They are currently in a capital campaign to build their permanent home on five acres at Mud Lake and Caribou Ranch Open Spaces, showcasing their commitment to environmental conservation and education.
This information is meant to be a general summary of Wild Bear Nature Center. 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: $15,057
- Program Service Revenue: $136,312
- Gross Receipts: $2,700,732
Assets and Liabilities:
- Total Assets: $4,696,084
- Total Liabilities: $221,214
- Net Assets: $4,474,870
Want to help this charity, for free? You can click here to learn more about Give Freely
Programs
Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.
PROGRAM REVENUE
Revenue
$136,312
Organization Details
Founding Year
1997
Phone
(303) 258-0495Principal Officer
Andrew Neal
Main Address
PO BOX 3017, NEDERLAND, CO, 80466
Website
www.wildbear.orgNTEE Category
Code: C30 - Environment
If you are a representative of Wild Bear Nature Center and wish to learn more about how Give Freely can help you raise funds, please click here: https://givefreely.com/nonprofits/. Our services are offered at no cost to your organization.