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Sam Houston Trails Coalition

EIN 27-2916050 · Willis, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PLAN, DEVELOP, FUND, IMPLEMENT, AND MAINTAIN A SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE TRAIL NETWORK IN THE SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL FOREST FOR DIVERSE OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL USERS.

Income
$379,575
Spending
$368,585
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
-2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 96%
Employees
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 55% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 58% 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 December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 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 (5)
  1. $215,830 spent. RT-16015: RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM GRANT FOR REHABILITATION OF THE MULTI-USE TRAILS IN THE SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL FOREST.
  2. $70,022 spent. NFF GRANT-FUNDING FROM THE NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION FOR REHABILITATION OF A PORTION OF THE MULTI-USE TRAIL IN THE SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL FOREST.
  3. $35,736 spent. OH-16015: RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM GRANT FOR REHABILITATION OF THE MULTI-USE TRAILS IN THE SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL FOREST.
  4. $22,686 spent. FOREST SERVICE FUNDING SPA: THIS IS A SUPPLEMENTAL PROJECT AGREEMENT AWARDED FROM THE USDA FOREST SERVICE TO THE SAM HOUSTON TRAILS COALITION (SHTC) FOR SUPPORT OF ACTIVITIES BY THE SHTC THAT GO TOWARD REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES, REHABILITATION AND MAINTENANCE OF TRAILS IN THE SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL FOREST.
  5. $13,291 spent. ADDITIONAL TRAIL MAINTENANCE

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 December 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 September 2010.

    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.