irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2019
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $215KIN 2020, LAJF DEVELOPED SEVERAL VIRTUAL PROGRAMS FOR ALUMNI AND SELECTED PARTICIPANTS, DETAILED BELOW. VIRTUAL ALUMNI INSTRUCTIONS - IN SUMMER 2020, LAJF LAUNCHED VIRTUAL ALUMNI INSTRUCTIONS, WHICH ALLOWED ALUMNI AROUND THE WORLD TO SHARE THEIR EXPERTISE WITH THE LAJF COMMUNITY THROUGH ENGAGING, INTERACTIVE ONLINE INSTRUCTIONS. CRS DOCUMENTARY SERIES-IN SUMMER 2020, LAJF HOSTED A SERIES OF VIRTUAL DOCUMENTARY SCREENINGS VIA NETFLIX PARTY, EACH FOLLOWED BY A GROUP DISCUSSION. VIRTUAL COLLEGE WEEK-VIRTUAL COLLEGE WEEK IS A SERIES OF INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS FOR CURRENT AND PROSPECTIVE COLLEGE STUDENTS TO COME TOGETHER AND LEARN ABOUT COLLEGE ADMISSIONS AND COLLEGE LIFE FROM EXPERTS. WEBINARS ARE RECORDED AND AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR ALUMNI ALONGSIDE DOZENS OF RESOURCES FOR NAVIGATING HIGHER EDUCATION, ADMISSIONS, FINANCIAL AID, AND VISA APPLICATIONS. LAJF ALSO OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS TO CRS ALUMNI PURSUING UNDERGRADUATE OR GRADUATE STUDIES IN THE UNIT
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Alumni Leadership Fellowship
Training program for 18-25 year olds to develop facilitation and educator skills based on Camp Rising Sun's pedagogy, combining virtual and in-person learning
Camp Rising Sun
Residential summer leadership program for international youth aged 15-18, focused on ethical development, cross-cultural understanding, and global citizenship
College Student Network
Alumni support program providing resources and community for CRS alumni navigating higher education, including admissions, financial aid, and visa applications
Virtual Education Programs
Online programs for youth aged 16-18 worldwide, offering critical thinking, global understanding, and leadership development through interactive virtual instruction
Young Leaders Program
Pilot camping program for middle school students from New York State, introducing them to the foundation's leadership model through developmentally appropriate programming
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Administer camper selection and leadership curriculum developmentDesigns and implements leadership curriculum, coordinates international camper selection with alumni volunteer involvement, and conducts program evaluation for Camp Rising Sun.
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Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Conduct annual staff training and leadership development for camp programsRuns a two-week annual staff training program that includes team-building activities, curriculum development, and reinforcement of camp traditions to prepare staff for summer programming.
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Youth and Community Research Initiatives 1 activity
- Conduct research on camp curriculum and traditionsProduces research publications on camp-related topics, including analysis of Native-inspired traditions and curriculum design, to inform educational programming and institutional understanding.
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Youth Global Leadership & Model UN Programs 1 activity
- Deliver virtual youth education and leadership programsOffers year-round virtual programs for youth aged 16–18 internationally, including interactive workshops on college readiness, critical thinking, self-reflection, and global understanding, with recorded resources and scholarships available.
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Alumni Community Building 1 activity
- Facilitate alumni engagement and programmingSupports ongoing alumni involvement through virtual gatherings, networking events, volunteer opportunities, and access to publications such as the Sundial, with programming focused on sustainability, climate, and cross-generational connection.
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Organized Member Social Events 1 activity
- Host special events and reunionsOrganizes major gatherings such as the 95th Anniversary Reunion Weekend and Gala Celebration to bring together community members and celebrate organizational milestones.
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Summer Day Camp Programs 1 activity
- Operate summer camp program for youth leadership and cross-cultural exchangeRuns an in-person educational summer camp, Camp Rising Sun, serving up to 120 campers annually from around the world through need-blind scholarships, with programming focused on leadership, cultural exchange, social justice, and community building. Campers participate in leadership roles and programming development.
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Local High School Scholarship Programs 1 activity
- Provide scholarships for alumni pursuing higher educationOffers financial support through scholarships to alumni of Camp Rising Sun and related programs pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies in the United States.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Recruit and hire camp staffRecruits and hires summer staff to support the operation and programming of Camp Rising Sun.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Manage and maintain LAJF campus and infrastructureOversees year-round maintenance of the LAJF campus in upstate New York, including drinking water systems and recreational facilities, and implements camp improvement projects such as converting tents into sustainable lean-tos and constructing camp infrastructure.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.66M
Contributions & grants$782K47%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$761K46%
Other revenue$113K
expenses
Total expenses$2.16M
Program expenses76%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising12%
Salaries & benefits$1.28M
Grants paid out$19K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$13.93M
Cash$289K
Investments$11.63M
Liabilities$185K
Net assets$13.75M
Liquid reserves66.2 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -15.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| HELENE MATTERA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 10/1/24 - 6/30/25 | 55 | $179K |
board members · 19
- ABHIJEET NAIN — DIRECTOR
- ANDREA ALEXANDER — DIRECTOR
- CAMILLE TORRES — DIRECTOR
- CHARELLE SHAW — DIRECTOR
- CHRISTINA BUSSO — DIRECTOR
- CINDY ABRAMSON — PRESIDENT
- HOOMAN YAGHOOBZADEH — VICE PRESIDENT
- INNA KUVICH — VICE PRESIDENT
- JANINE RUBITSKI — TREASURER
- JONATHAN GROSS — DIRECTOR
- JOSEPH CARRESE — DIRECTOR
- MARIELLA MARTINEZ — DIRECTOR
- MARY LOCKHART — DIRECTOR
- PETE COMAS — SECRETARY
- PETER GIACONE — DIRECTOR
- ROB SCHWARCZ — DIRECTOR
- SASHA ZOLLEY — DIRECTOR
- STEVEN YUNIVER — DIRECTOR
- THALIA NIERENBERG — DIRECTOR
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- Alumni of Camp Rising Sun Network — LinkedIn group for alumni to connect and engage with the Camp Rising Sun community.
- Bill Dubey Partner — 2025 Gala Honoree recognized for contributions to the organization.
- CRS Network — Collaborates with CRS to build cross-generational alumni connections.
- CRS Partner — Collaborates with CRS to support young leaders in building connections and strengthening their voices.
- Helene Mattera Partner — 2025 Gala Honoree recognized for contributions to the organization.
- Hudson Valley Magazine Partner — Featured in the May 2026 issue, highlighting Camp Rising Sun and its programs.
- Kingston Community Radio 92.5 FM Partner — Cameron hosts a weekly radio talk show on Kingston Community Radio 92.5 FM.
- Kingston Elks Lodge Partner — Cameron is an active member of the Kingston Elks Lodge.
- Netflix Party Partner — Used Netflix Party to host synchronized virtual documentary screenings and group discussions.
- Professional fundraising consulting firm Partner — Partnering with a professional fundraising consulting firm to assess gaps in fundraising systems and improve individual giving and grant acquisition.
- Ramapo for Children Partner — Professional affiliation through leadership experience of new Director of Programs, Jenn Zanger.
- TELE Network — Collaborates with TELE to build cross-generational alumni connections.
- TELE Partner — Collaborates with TELE to support young leaders in building connections and strengthening their voices.
- local Kiwanis Club Partner — Cameron serves on the Board of Directors at the local Kiwanis Club.
strategies · 4
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.
- Alumni Engagement Through Sustained, Interactive Communitymethodology: virtual_alumni_engagementBy maintaining lifelong connections with alumni through virtual programming, peer-facilitated dialogue, and publications, the organization reinforces leadership identity and community belonging, because ongoing engagement sustains personal growth and multiplies impact across generations of participants.
- Camper-Led Program Design for Leadership Developmentmethodology: camper-led leadershipBy empowering youth to design and run significant portions of the camp program, the organization cultivates responsibility, initiative, and leadership capacity, because experiential ownership of meaningful responsibilities builds confidence and real-world leadership skills more effectively than passive participation.
- Cross-Cultural Immersive Community as a Catalyst for Global Citizenshipmethodology: intentional cross-cultural community buildingBy placing youth from diverse cultural and national backgrounds in an intentionally designed residential community where they live, learn, and lead together, the organization builds empathy, mutual understanding, and global citizenship, because sustained, intimate cross-cultural engagement fosters identity exploration and challenges prejudice more effectively than short-term or superficial interactions.
- Youth Leadership Through Belonging, Challenge, and Contributionmethodology: belonging-challenge-contribution frameworkBy providing youth with deep belonging, meaningful personal challenges, and opportunities to contribute beyond themselves, the organization fosters personal growth and ethical leadership, because these three elements are believed to be core developmental needs for transformative youth development.