Garrett County Trails Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Garrett Trails is a nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to the development of a well used network of high-quality, sustainable trails that provide access to Garrett Countys historic, municipal, and environmental treasures. Garrett Trails believes outstanding trails are important to the economic development of the County and will promote good health and well being for County residents.
- Income
- $59,718
- Spending
- $80,402
- Reserves
- 11.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 60%
- Highest pay
- $54,831, executive dir.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 11.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 35% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (7)
- $4,741 spent. Completed the necessary environmental and structural reviews with the Maryland Department of Transportation Recreational Trails Program to move forward with new trail construction in the Fork Run Recreation Area. This grant funded construction will connect the recreation area to developing communities on Marsh Mountain.
- Supported the 2024 Garrett County Pathways and Connections Initiative with paid social media advertising and through newsletter distribution. Ads were directed to all social media users in Garrett County, increasing their awareness of the County survey circulating regarding future trail development between the town of Oakland and Herrington Manor State Park, as well as neighboring Mountain Lake Park and Loch Lynn. Garrett Trails paid for the ads with a volunteer contributing 20 hours towards design and distributionVolunteer contributions to social media campaigns highlighting general trail development and maintenance totaled thirty hours.
- $750 spent. Collaborated with the Deep Creek Lions Club to share an all-terrain wheelchair with the public for free to increase access to local trails and parks. Designed and distributed adaptive recreation brochures and created a webpage highlighting trails and parks that accommodate handicap users.
- Completed a trail counter survey conducted with the cooperation of the Garrett County Government, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and Army Corp of Engineers. The survey data, collected and analyzed by a volunteer contributing over twenty-four hours, is included in a report published for other organizations and community leaders to use when developing outdoor recreation initiatives.
- Engaged volunteers in seventy-five hours of trail work in Savage River State Forest, New Germany State Park, The Senator Paul Sarbanes Trail, and the Fork Run Recreation Area improving trail treads and drainages.
- Volunteered supplies and personnel to multiple events hosted by other non-profits supporting health and wellness recreation for residents and visitors. Events included the Garrett County Health Fair, The Dove Center Mountain Maryland Dragon Boat Festival, Friendsville Days, and a New Germany State Park Trail Maintenance Day with The Friends of New Germany.
- $1,554 spent. Through donations, Garrett Trails installed memorial benches on the Mosser Road Heritage Trail and the Acorn Trail in the Fork Run Recreation area.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 December 2024.
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 March 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 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.