Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition is a grass-roots nonprofit with a vision to build a walking/biking trail system to connect the entire Napa Valley--physically, artistically, and culturally. We are working to design, fund, construct, and maintain 47 safe and scenic miles of level, paved, family-friendly, pet-friendly, free-access Class I trail, stretching from the Vallejo Ferry to Calistoga.
- Income
- $1.3 million
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 71%
- Reserves
- 2.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 86%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 556
- Highest pay
- $129,745, executive dir.
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
Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 22% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 54% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1571% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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
Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2534 of 34 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (2)
- $821,223 spent. With the support of the community and stakeholders, NVVTC builds, maintains, and enhances the Napa Valley Vine Trail. We inspire private philanthropy for the 25% match to receive government support for construction. We are optimizing landowner engagement and pre-engineering to accelerate local jurisdiction's readiness to complete the trail vision of 47 miles of shared-use trail. NVVTC manages the community funds for 50% of the maintenance of 30 miles of completed trail and offers educational programming to increase Vine Trail user-ship to 1 million annually.In 2024-2025, we celebrated the groundbreaking of 8 miles of the breathtaking VINE TRAIL connecting St. Helena and Calistoga, along with 5.5 miles in Vallejo linking the Vallejo Ferry to American Canyonmaking outdoor exploration more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.Our team made significant strides, advancing 35% of the design for Vista Carneros South River Sound, and securing Caltrans approval for an alternative route in the NEPA process for the Yountville to St. Helena link. This progress underscores our commitment to creating a resilient, scenic, and connected trail system. We worked hand-in-hand with 68 landowners, maintaining transparent communication through quarterly updates and community meetings, ensuring that every step reflects our shared vision.Responding swiftly to vineyard owners' concerns during winter storms and hosting five vibrant community gatherings in St. Helena, Yountville, and Rutherford exemplifies our dedication to collaboration and commitment to preserving our agricultural heritage.We secured $750,000 for Napa County to advance the Vista Carneros project in a priority conservation area in the Napa River wetlands connecting the City of Napa Commons and American Canyon by 2028. Enhancing user experience, we streamlined signage for clarity and launched the innovative VINE TRAIL APP, empowering feedback and engagement. We expanded AG RESPECT education programs at 15 wineries and vineyards inspiring a new generation of trail and viticulture enthusiasts. On the funding front, we raised $2 million in private donations to match the public funds for the construction and maintenance of the Napa Valley Vine Trail. Tourism Improvement District of Napa County renewed its commitment with a five-year pledge. Harvest Inn became a signature Built It Donor to fund the next St Helena Shelter as a part of the Yountville to St Helena project. Our Founders $ 50-an-Acre program has reached $1,850,000 in pledges toward our $2.5 million goal, fueling the next 11-mile section of this incredible trail, which is scheduled to be built by 2028. Month of Movement was a phenomenal success, uniting over 510 participants who walked, ran, and biked more than 80,000 milescelebrated with an unforgettable finish-line party hosted by six Michelin-starred chefs and legendary winemakers.Trail usage has increased by over 100,000, a testament to our VINE TRAIL Ambassador program, now with 24 passionate volunteers dedicated to safety, accessibility, and maintenance.
- $126,077 spent. To preserve the trails beauty and safety, we signed four new maintenance agreements covering an additional 13.5 miles and planted two pollinator gardens, supporting biodiversity. To support our town and cities in maintaining our world-class trail, we contributed $120,000 from private donors as the 50% matching funds for maintenance. The VINE TRAIL received national recognition as the 2nd top destination in California from the SF Chronicle, and Forbes Magazine recommended the Napa Valley Vine Trail as a top-ten wine destination in 2025.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2009.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.