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America Walks Inc

EIN 04-3401323 · Annandale, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF AMERICA WALKS IS TO ADVANCE SAFE, EQUITABLE, ACCESSIBLE, AND ENJOYABLE PLACES TO WALK AND MOVE BY GIVING PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES THE RESOURCES TO EFFECTIVELY ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE.

Income
$919,149
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
4.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 62%
Employees
10
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$152,209, executive director

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

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 38% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 50% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 98% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • 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

Impact evidence

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

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $483,149 spent. Public Education- America Walks educates the public about walking and walkability. We serve as a public voice for walking and walkability in the media, by providing information and resources to individuals and organizations that sign up for our publications and social media. America Walks provides training and technical assistance to local and state advocates through webinars, discussion forums, and workshops. During 2024, we provided online training and workshops to roughly 1,200 individuals. We maintain an active presence on social media providing information to local community champions focused on creating safe, accessible, equitable places to walk and move. We answer technical assistance questions weekly from our network of over 40,000 individuals and organizations.
  2. $285,383 spent. Training and technical assistance - Community Change Grants - America Walks awarded 21 grants through our 2024-2025 Community Change Grant program. This program supports local, grassroots efforts to create safe, accessible, and enjoyable places to walk and be physically active for all community members. Since its beginning in 2015, this grant program has provided funds for more than a hundred projects demonstrating the creativity and passion of walking and moving champions across the us. Of the 21 grantees, 15 were awarded thorough funding from our partnership with General Motors and 6 from our Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funding. AARP LC-TAP and Community Challenge Grant Technical Assistance- AARP engaged America Walks to deliver technical assistance, including one-on-one coaching, webinars, and other supports, to AARP Community Challenge Grantees that receive capacity-building microgrants to conduct walk audits in their communities. This work consisted of a kick-off webinar, over 40 individual coaching calls, 10 peer-group discussions, and final wrap-up/celebration webinar held In December 2024. We additionally obtained technical assistance from the Walk2Connect team. For AARP LC-TAP, this was our first year completing this program and we engaged with 17 AARP state offices for walk audit focused technical assistance (virtual and in-person workshops).
  3. $85,190 spent. Walking college - We graduated 20 fellows from our 2024 national walking college class, and they join the network of 200+ graduates. This leadership program is open annually to those looking to hone their skills and knowledge around creating vibrant, safe, accessible communities for all people, regardless of age, race, income level or physical ability. Participants, paired with experienced leaders in the field and peers working in similar capacities across the country, learn about the historical underpinnings of the car-centric transportation landscape and the basics of design and policy that foster safe, inclusive, accessible design for non-motorized transportation while developing essential leadership skills. Over the course of the program, they also create a blueprint for taking action on a particular problem in their community.

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

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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 October 13, 2026.

  2. 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 November 6, 2026.

  3. 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1998.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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 November 4, 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.