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Cumberland Valley Rails to Trails Council Inc

EIN 23-2630981 · Shippensburg, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MULTI-USE PUBLIC RECREATION TRAILS, PRIMARILY ALONG ABANDONED RAILROAD RIGHT-OF-WAYS LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE CUMBERLAND VALLEY REGION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Income
$155,295
Spending
$201,660
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
21.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
0
Volunteers
60

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

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 73% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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. $162,201 spent. DURING THE YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON MAINTAINING THE EXISTING 16 MILES OF TRAIL. ENGINEERING WORK IS CONTINUING ON THE EXTENSION OF THE TRAIL THROUGH SHIPPENSBURG. EFFORTS CONTINUE ON ACQUIRING LAND TO COMPLETE THE TRAIL CONNECTION IN CARLISLE.
  2. $16,975 spent. THE ORGANIZATION HOSTS MONTHLY FIRST FRIDAY EVENTS AT THE SHIP STATION ALONG THE COMMUNITY TRAIL TO BRING RESIDENTS TOGETHER, PROMOTE AWARENESS OF TRAIL RESOURCES, AND ENCOURAGE OUTDOOR RECREATION. PROCEEDS FROM EVENT PARTICIPATION AND SPONSORSHIPS ARE USED TO FUND TRAIL MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS.
  3. $15,888 spent. THE ORGANIZATION SPONSORS COMMUNITY RACES/MARATHONS EACH YEAR TO PROMOTE HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH ACTIVE USE OF LOCAL TRAILS. THESE EVENTS ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO EXPERIENCE THE REGIONS PATHS FIRSTHAND. ENTRY FEES FROM PARTICIPANTS FUND THE DIRECT COSTS OF ORGANIZING THE RACES, AND REMAINING PROCEEDS ARE USED TO MAINTAIN, IMPROVE, AND EXPAND THE COMMUNITY TRAIL SYSTEM AND RELATED FACILITIES. THROUGH THESE EVENTS, THE ORGANIZATION FULFILLS ITS MISSION TO PRESERVE AND ENHANCE SAFE, ACCESSIBLE OUTDOOR RECREATION SPACES FOR PUBLIC BENEFIT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 September 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 April 1992.

    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.