Passes our checks

Eastern Trail Alliance

EIN 01-0523949 · Saco, ME

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

What it says it does

The Eastern Trail Alliance is a 501c3 nonprofit that builds, maintains, and promotes the Eastern Trail, southern Maines premier multi-use greenway.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 38.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15
Income fell 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).

Independent board
25 of 25
9 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15
Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8
Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7
Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5
Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10
Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5
Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
No reported misuse
10 of 10
Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$167,965 spent. The ETA is proud to monitor, administer, and promote use of the Eastern Trail, a long-distance walking and bicycling trail in southern Maine. The ETA funds routine trail monitoring and maintenance efforts including cleaning up trash and maintaining trail drainage systems, removing downed trees, and clipping brush, and liaising with municipal contacts, as appropriate, on larger maintenance projects. The ETA connects with local communities, members, and trail users to promote usage of the Eastern Trail. The ETA maintains a website regarding its activities and how to use the trail, responds to inquiries about the trail, and keeps digital maps on its website and various print maps for public distribution and sale. The ETA provides community engagement opportunities through monthly and annual events and volunteer opportunities. The ETA also supports the Eastern Trail Management District in funding continued expansion of the Eastern Trail.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1999.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.