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New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Inc

EIN 22-6042838 · Mahwah, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE IS A VOLUNTEER-POWERED ORGANIZATION THAT BUILDS, MAINTAINS, AND PROTECTS OVER 2,100 MILES OF PUBLIC TRAILS ACROSS THE TRI-STATE REGION. (SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL DETAIL)

Income
$4.2 million
Spending
$4.3 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
13.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
80
Volunteers
2,500
Highest pay
$154,809, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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 June 30, 2025, 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. $2.9 million spent. TRAIL BUILDING AND PROGRAMS FOUNDED IN 1920 TO HELP CONNECT PEOPLE WITH NATURE, THE TRAIL CONFERENCE LEADS THE WAY IN TRAIL BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE ACROSS THE REGION. OUR VOLUNTEER-POWERED ORGANIZATION IS NOW ALSO RECOGNIZED AS AN INNOVATOR IN PROTECTING NATIVE HABITATS BY COMBATING INVASIVE SPECIES THROUGH OUR STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMS. WE ENGAGE VOLUNTEERS AND EDUCATE PEOPLE ON THE SIMPLE STEPS THEY CAN TAKE TO HELP CARE FOR TRAILS AND SAVE OUR ECOSYSTEMS. WE BELIEVE EVERYONE HAS THE POWER TO PROTECT THE LAND THEY LOVE.
  2. $158,601 spent. PUBLICATIONS SINCE THE ORIGINAL PUBLICATION OF THE NEW YORK WALK BOOK IN 1923, THE TRAIL CONFERENCE HAS PROVIDED OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS WITH ACCURATE AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON LOCAL TRAILS. WHEN YOU DECIDE TO GET OUTDOORS, WE PROVIDE THE GUIDANCE YOU NEED FOR A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE HIKING ADVENTURE, OFFERING TRIP PLANNING AND WAYFINDING EXPERTISE THROUGH OUR MAPS, GUIDEBOOKS, AND WEBSITE.
  3. $150,189 spent. DARLINGTON HEADQUARTERS THE TRAIL CONFERENCE IS HEADQUARTERED AT THE HISTORIC DARLINGTON SCHOOLHOUSE IN MAHWAH, NEW JERSEY. BUILT IN 1891, THE SCHOOLHOUSE SAT EMPTY FOR DECADES. IN 2015, THE TRAIL CONFERENCE COMPLETED EXTENSIVE RESTORATIONS ON THE SITE, TRANSFORMING IT INTO THE AWARD-WINNING FACILITY WE CALL HOME TODAY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1985.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.