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Back Country Horsemen of Alabama Inc

EIN 26-2321096 · Ashland, AL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceWeak38 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN OF AMERICA IS A 501(C) 3 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE FOLLOWING MISSION. TO PERPETUATE THE COMMONSENSE USE AND ENJOYMENT OF HORSES IN AMERICAS BACK COUNTRY AND WILDERNESS. TO WORK TO ENSURE THAT PUBLIC LANDS REMAIN OPEN TO RECREATIONAL STOCK USE. TO ASSIST THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE AGENCIES IN THEIR MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF SAID RESOURCE. TO EDUCATE, ENCOURAGE AND SOLICIT ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE WISE USE OF THE BACK COUNTRY RESOURCE BY HORSEMEN AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENSURATE WITH OUR HERITAGE. TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE THE FORMATION OF NEW STATE BACK COUNTRY HORSEMENS ORGANIZATIONS. OUR GRASSROOTS MEMBERS HELP CARRY FORWARD OUR ORGANIZATIONS MISSION AND VALUES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA WORKING CLOSELY WITH TRAIL PARTNERS AND LOCAL LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCIES TO CLEAR AND MAINTAIN TRAILS. BCHA MEMBERS VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME AND STOCK AND TRAVELING OVER 1.1 MILLION MILES TO LOCATIONS TO DO VOLUNTEER WORK.

Income
$241,967
Spending
$225,211
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 50%
Employees
0

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

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • 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

Governance

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 4 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 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 (2)
  1. $139,240 spent. HORSE ENJOYMENT AND SAFETY ON PUBLIC LANDS
  2. $85,971 spent. ASSIST GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE AGENCIES IN THEIR MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC LANDS.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2012 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2012.

    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 January 2014.

    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.