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Eastern National

EIN 23-1401703 · Fort Washington, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 86 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

EASTERN NATIONAL PROMOTES THE PUBLIC'S UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT OF AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARKS AND OTHER PUBLIC TRUST PARTNERS BY PROVIDING QUALITY EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES, PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.

Income
$32.2 million
Spending
$32.0 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
8.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 97%
Employees
688
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$328,718, president/ceo

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

Financial health

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 36% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 86 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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 October 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 (1)
  1. $26.3 million spent. EASTERN NATIONAL IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL SERVICE INSTITUTION RECOGNIZED PURSUANT TO AN ACT OF CONGRESS TO AID AND PROMOTE THE INTERPRETIVE, HISTORICAL, SCIENTIFIC, RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (NPS) AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. EASTERN NATIONAL ALSO DEVELOPS PUBLICATIONS AND OTHER INTERPRETIVE MATERIALS RELEVANT TO THE PARKS AND THEIR THEMES. EASTERN NATIONAL OPERATES RETAIL OUTLETS AT NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES THAT OFFER EDUCATIONAL AND INTERPRETIVE PRODUCTS TO THE VISITORS OF THE PARKS. APPROXIMATELY 95% OF THE NET INCOME FROM THIS ACTIVITY IS SET ASIDE TO BE DONATED BACK TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE OR OTHER AGENCY IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS TO SUPPORT THE PARKS AND ASSIST WITH THEIR INTERPRETIVE AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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 October 13, 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 October 2025.

    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 October 1952.

    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 October 21, 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.