irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $3.40MTHE FRESH AIR FUND'S SHARPE RESERVATION IN FISHKILL, NY, HAS OVER 2,000 ACRES OF BEAUTIFUL LAND WITH LAKES, PONDS, STREAMS AND HIKING TRAILS THROUGH THE WOODS. DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, OVER 10,000 PEOPLE FROM COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL GROUPS IN THE TRISTATE REGION PARTICIPATE IN OUR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. WE OFFER STUDENT, AND COMMUNITY GROUP HANDS-ON, INTERACTIVE, EXPERIENCE TO LEARN ABOUT THE THE ENVIRONMENT AND EXPLORE NATURE. GROUPS VISIT THE SHARPE ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, THE GUSTAFSON PLANETARIUM, OUR HIGH AND LOW ROPES COURSES, AND THE NUMEROUS NATURE TRAILS ACROSS THE RESERVATION. OUR PROGRAMS ARE CUSTOMIZED TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF EACH GROUP. WE FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND OUTDOOR LEARNING THROUGH TEAM-BUILDING, PROBLEM SOLVING, CRITICAL THINKING, AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION ALONG WITH RICH LEARNING ON CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
- #2 $2.55MAPPROXIMATELY 2,000 FRESH AIR CHILDREN VISIT RUAL, SUBURBAN AND SMALL-TOWN COMMUNITIES ALONG THE EAST COAST AND SOUTHERN CANADA, CALLED FRIENDLY TOWNS, DURING THE SUMMER. DURING THE ONE OR TWO WEEK VISITS WITH VOLUNTEER HOST FAMILIES, CHILDREN AND THEIR HOSTS FORM BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP BY SHARING PERSONAL, DAY-TO-DAY EXPERIENCES. CHILDREN TRAVEL TO A NEW PLACE, DEVELOP INDEPENDENCE, MAKE NEW FRIENDS, LEARN NEW SKILLS, AND GAIN A NEW PERSPECTIVE, ALL WHILE MAKING MEMORIES AND HAVING FUN. EVERY HOST FAMILY GOES THROUGH A RIGOROUS SCREENING PROCESS INCLUDING A HOME VISIT, INTERVIEW, REFERENCES AND A BACKGROUND CHECK. MANY FRESH AIR CHILDREN ARE RE-INVITED TO STAY WITH THE SAME HOST FAMILY YEAR AFTER YEAR AND FORM FRIENDSHIPS THAT LAST A LIFETIME. CHILDREN ON FIRST-TIME VISITS ARE SEVEN TO 13 YEARS OLD. REINVITED CHILDREN MAY CONTINUE THROUGH AGE 18 AND MAY ENJOY EXTENDED TRIPS.
named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Career Awareness Program
Program offering job shadowing and career exploration opportunities to support youth in setting professional goals and developing workforce skills.
Circle of Brotherhood
Leadership and mentoring program for boys and young men focused on personal development, responsibility, and community engagement.
College Connections Program
Youth development initiative providing tutoring, mentoring, college tours, and academic support to help students succeed in higher education.
Environmental Education Programs
School-year programs for over 10,000 students and community groups from the tri-state region, offering hands-on learning at the Sharpe Environmental Center, Gustafson Planetarium, and nature trails.
Friendly Towns Program
Summer homestay program placing approximately 2,000 NYC children with volunteer host families in suburban and small-town communities across the East Coast and southern Canada for one- to two-week visits.
Summer Camping Program
Year-round camping experiences at Sharpe Reservation and Harriman State Park, serving 3,500 NYC children annually with immersive outdoor activities including swimming, hiking, stargazing, and farm education.
Young Women's Giving Circle
Youth leadership program engaging young women in philanthropy, community service, and grantmaking decisions.
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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College Access and Success Support 1 activity
- Deliver career and college readiness programmingProvides multi-year academic and career support through the Career Awareness Program, including job shadowing, resume writing, and interview practice, and the College Connections Program, which supports high school students through college applications and graduation, with a focus on first-generation college attendees.
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Girls' Mentorship and Leadership Development 1 activity
- Facilitate youth-led philanthropy and mentoring programsRuns the Young Women’s Giving Circle, an academic-year program that educates girls in philanthropy and community service, and the Circle of Brotherhood, a mentoring program for boys ages 13–17 focused on social-emotional learning, healthy manhood, and current events.
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Youth Cultural and Educational Travel Programs 1 activity
- Host youth with volunteer host families through Friendly Towns programPlaces approximately 2,000 New York City children from underserved communities with volunteer host families across the East Coast and southern Canada each summer to provide transformative summer experiences in a family setting.
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Summer Camp Access Scholarships 1 activity
- Operate free overnight summer camps for underserved youthProvides free sleepaway camp experiences to approximately 3,500 New York City children annually on a 2,000-acre property in Fishkill, NY (Sharpe Reservation) and at Harriman State Park, offering outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking, sports, and skill-building classes to build confidence and leadership. All camps maintain American Camp Association accreditation.
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Managed Campground and Retreat Operations 1 activity
- Operate residential and outdoor education facilities for group rentalsManages year-round full-service facilities at Camps Mariah and Hidden Valley, each accommodating up to 200 people with dining halls and heated cabins, and offers smaller heated lodges for group rentals (up to 25 people) in spring, autumn, and winter, supporting educational and team-building retreats.
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Student and Camp Transportation Services 1 activity
- Provide transportation and staff support for camp operationsProvides free round-trip charter bus transportation for campers and staff between New York City and camp locations, and hires and trains over 400 staff annually, including pre-camp and ongoing training in safety, behavioral management, and leadership.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Provide year-round environmental education programsOffers hands-on environmental science education to over 10,000 students and community group members annually from the tristate region, including customizable programs in forest ecology, climate change, and biodiversity at Sharpe Reservation, featuring the Gustafson Planetarium and outdoor learning labs.
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Youth Scouting Leadership Programs 1 activity
- Run City Explorers mentoring and outdoor programOperates City Explorers, a year-round program that pairs youth with volunteer mentors and provides guided outdoor experiences in New York City to foster personal growth and connection to nature.
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Youth Counselor-in-Training Programs 1 activity
- Run Teen Leadership and Counselor-in-Training (CIT) programsOffers structured leadership development programs for teens ages 13–17, including the Teen Leadership Program (ages 13–15) with workshops in communication and team-building, and the Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program (ages 16–17) that builds professional and leadership skills through role modeling and staff shadowing, serving as a pipeline for future camp staff.
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Mentorship and Professional Development Programs 1 activity
- Support staff professional development and academic creditAssists over 440 seasonal staff members annually in earning college credit by coordinating with academic institutions and providing administrative support for required coursework and credit applications.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$21.21M
Contributions & grants$17.40M82%
Program service revenue$1.41M7%
Investment income$2.62M12%
Other revenue$-217K
expenses
Total expenses$23.64M
Program expenses76%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising16%
Salaries & benefits$10.42M
Grants paid out$415K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$145.00M
Cash$3.74M
Investments$102.46M
Liabilities$1.30M
Net assets$143.70M
Liquid reserves53.9 mo
4 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +41.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 7
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LISA GITELSON | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 35 | $376K |
| ALPHA CONTEH | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 35 | $305K |
| ELIZABETH PORTLAND | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY | 35 | $292K |
| MICHAEL CLARKE | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 40 | $292K |
| DEBORAH ASIRIFI | CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER (OUTGOING) | 35 | $262K |
| SANDHYA R BOYD | GENERAL COUNSEL | 35 | $215K |
| JOHN MARINELLO | DIRECTOR OF IT (OUTGOING) | 35 | $191K |
board members · 18
- AHMED DERIA — BOARD MEMBER
- ALEXIS F MAGED — BOARD MEMBER
- BARBARALEE DIAONSTEIN-SPIELVOGEL — BOARD MEMBER
- BRADLEY A WHITMAN — BOARD MEMBER
- CRAIG S IVEY — BOARD MEMBER (OUTGOING)
- DAVID S PERPICH — BOARD MEMBER
- DERRICK D CEPHAS — BOARD MEMBER
- DONALD L HAWKS III — TREASURER
- ERIC FELDMAN — BOARD MEMBER
- GREG A ROSICA — BOARD MEMBER
- GREGORY D LEE — BOARD MEMBER
- HOWARD B JOHNSON — PRESIDENT
- HUGH GRANT — BOARD MEMBER
- ISABELLE B KRUSEN — BOARD MEMBER
- JAYNEMARIE ENYONAM ANGBAH — BOARD MEMBER
- JODY SCHWARTZ — BOARD MEMBER
- JOHN N IRWIN III — VICE CHAIRMAN
- JOSEPH J MAGLIOCCO — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 20
Who they work with
- Administration for Children’s Services Government — Lisa Gitelson represented child welfare agencies in discussions with this agency, indicating an ongoing working relationship.
- American Camp Association Network — Accredits all of The Fresh Air Fund’s summer camps.
- American Camp Association Network — Member of the American Camp Association, with camps accredited by the organization.
- Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) Partner — Collaborates with BOCES to help connect schools to state aid for field trips to Sharpe Reservation.
- Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley Partner — Partners with the Community Foundations, which offers Field Trip Grants through a grant from the Dyson Foundation, to support public school trips to Sharpe Reservation.
- Google Partner — Hosts job shadowing opportunities for participants in the Career Awareness Program.
- Harriman State Park Partner — Hosts Camp Junior, one of the organization's summer camps.
- Harriman State Park Partner — Site for summer camping programs serving New York City children.
- New York City Council Government — Lisa Gitelson engaged in advocacy discussions with the Council on child welfare and juvenile justice issues.
- New York City families Partner — Engaged in strategic planning through input and feedback on program participation and priorities.
- New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Partner — Lisa Gitelson previously served as Assistant Executive Director/Legal Counsel, indicating a professional and organizational connection.
- New York State Office of Children and Family Services Government — Lisa Gitelson represented agencies in discussions with this state office, indicating a formal working relationship.
- Sharpe Reservation Partner — Hosts five of the organization's sleepaway camps on its 2,000-acre property in Fishkill, NY.
- Sharpe Reservation Partner — Hosts five of the organization's summer camps on its 2,000-acre property in Fishkill, NY.
- Sharpe Reservation Partner — Primary site for environmental education and summer camping programs.
- Silberman School of Social Work, Hunter College, CUNY Partner — Lisa Gitelson is an Adjunct Professor, reflecting an institutional affiliation.
- Watershed Agricultural Council Partner — Works with the Watershed Agricultural Council to support watershed forestry-related educational tours for schools in the NYC watershed and boroughs.
- community partners Partner — Consulted during strategic planning to inform program direction and resource allocation.
- host families Partner — Provided summer hosting for children from New York City through the Friendly Towns program.
- volunteers Partner — Supported the Friendly Towns program through volunteer engagement and host family participation.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- College Persistence Through Sustained Engagementmethodology: college_persistenceBy maintaining continuous support from college application through graduation, we increase college persistence because ongoing mentorship and network-building reduce isolation and strengthen resilience during transitional challenges.
- Community-Integrated Youth Supportmethodology: community_partnershipBy partnering with families and communities, we strengthen youth development outcomes because supportive ecosystems amplify the impact of program experiences and ensure continuity beyond the program setting.
- Experiential Outdoor Education for Personal Transformationmethodology: experiential_educationBy using nature-based, hands-on outdoor experiences as a catalyst, we promote social development, self-confidence, and skill-building because immersive environments with peer and mentor support create transformative developmental moments for youth from underserved communities.
- Long-Term Outdoor Youth Developmentmethodology: long-term_youth_developmentBy engaging youth continuously from childhood through high school graduation in immersive outdoor and year-round programming, we foster personal growth, leadership, and goal achievement because sustained relationships and repeated transformative experiences build resilience and self-efficacy.
- Youth-to-Leadership Pipelinemethodology: leadership_pipelineBy creating structured pathways from camper to counselor and integrating leadership training, we sustain engagement and develop future leaders because positive role modeling and progressive responsibility foster ownership, belonging, and long-term commitment.