Give.org logo
Support Give.org
Support Give.org
CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: November 2023 Expires: November 2025

Student Conservation Association

Accredited Charity
Accredited Charity

Meets Standards
(703) 524-2441
Post Office Box 830603, Department 500
Philadelphia, PA, 19182
https://www.thesca.org
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Student Conservation Association meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of the environment and communities by engaging young people through hands-on service projects."

Year, State Incorporated:
1964, NY

Student Conservation Association (SCA) reports that it offers youth, young adult, urban, internship, and gap year programs where students will be able to gain hands on field work in trail and habitat restoration, environmental training, and promote environmental stewardship. The organization also offers training in invasive species eradication and wildfire mitigation. In 2022, SCA states that its members and volunteers planted 23,891 trees, improved 1,435 miles of trail, and worked at more than 300 wildlife habitat service areas.

For the year ended March 31, 2022, Student Conservation Association's program expenses were:

Community: $4,120,757

Corps: $13,452,346

Internship: $7,524,828

Other programs: $438,437

Total Program Expenses: $25,536,368

Chief Executive
Lidia Soto-Harmon, President and Chief Executive Officer

Chair of the Board
Gail Carmody

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Retired, Treasurer, Fish and Wildlife Service Retirees Association

Board Size
15

Paid Staff Size
163

*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Note: Lidia Soto-Harmon assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer in April 2023. Her compensation is not currently available. In 2021, Stephanie Meeks served as the organization's President and Chief Executive Officer, receiving $350,231 in compensation.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Special events

Fundraising costs were 31% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $11,492,370, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Student Conservation Association's audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2022.

Source of Funds
Government contracts $26,750,245
Contributions and grants $10,734,381
In-kind contributions $739,977
Other income $273,845
Investment income, net $151,553
Endowment contributions $6,012
Annuity contributions $12,000
Gain on sale of property and equipment $3,002
Total Income $38,671,015

Programs: 71% Fundraising: 10% Administrative: 19%

Total Income $38,671,015
Total expenses: $35,903,509
  Program expenses $25,536,368
  Fundraising expenses $3,525,597
  Administrative expenses $6,841,544
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $2,767,506
Beginning Net Assets $14,928,730
Other Changes In Net Assets $-69,983
Ending Net Assets $17,626,253
Total Liabilities $6,819,475
Total Assets $24,445,728

Note 1: As noted in the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to a change in value of beneficial interests in trusts ($16,777) and a change in value of split-interest agreements (-$86,760).

Note 2: According to SCA's audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2022, the organization received $739,977 in donated advertising ($668,927), airline tickets ($40,000), and supplies ($31,050).

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance