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The Mountaineers

EIN 27-3009280 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong97 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MOUNTAINEERS MISSION IS TO ENRICH THE COMMUNITY BY HELPING PEOPLE EXPLORE, CONSERVE, LEARN ABOUT AND ENJOY THE LANDS AND WATERS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST AND BEYOND.

Income
$7.9 million
Spending
$7.9 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
16.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 42%
Employees
118
Volunteers
3,200
Highest pay
$195,630, ceo

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

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 28 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 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 (2)
  1. $1.8 million spent. THE PUBLISHING DIVISION OF THE MOUNTAINEERS IS A LEADING PUBLISHER OF RECREATION AND CONSERVATION TITLES AND GENERAL OUTDOOR LITTERATURE. PUBLISHING: INCLUDES MOUNTAINEERS BOOKS, SKIPSTONE, AND BRAIDED RIVER IMPRINTS. A LEADING PUBLISHER OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONS, SUSTAINABILITY, AND CONSERVATION TITLES. BOOKS SUPPORT THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND EDUCATIONAL GOALS OF THE ORGANIZATION BY PROVIDING EXPERT INFORMATION ON HUMAN-POWERED ACTIVITY, PRESERVATION OF WILD PLACES, AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES AT HOME AND ON THE TRAIL. WE SUPPORT CULTURAL HERITAGE THROUGH OUTDOOR LITERATURE, HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, AND ADVENTURE NARRATIVE. SKIPSTONE TITLES ENCOURAGE BACKYARD ACTIVISM AND COMMUNITY BENEFIT. BRAIDED RIVER TITLES INSPIRE CITIZEN ACTION TO PRESERVE BIODIVERSITY IN WESTERN NORTH AMERICA. WE DISTRIBUTE MORE THAN 550,000 BOOKS ANNUALLY. WE PRODUCE APPROXIMATELY 30 NEW TITLES PER YEAR AND OUR CATALOG OFFERS OVER 600 ACTIVE TITLES IN PRINT AND EBOOK.
  2. $4.5 million spent. THE PROGRAMS DIVISION OF THE MOUNTAINEERS FOCUSES ON PROVIDING OUTDOOR EDUCATION AND RECREATION FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS. PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO CONNECT INDIVIDUALS WITH THE OUTDOORS WHILE DEVELOPING SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE RECREATION SKILLS AND OUTDOOR ETHICS, WHICH PROMOTE CONSERVATION AND LOW IMPACT TECHNIQUES. YOUTH EDUCATION: OVER 3,200 VOLUNTEERS ORGANIZE 3,400 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND TRIPS RELATED TO OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. PROGRAMS FOCUS ON PROVIDING OUTDOOR EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION EXPERIENCES. THE PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO CONNECT INDIVIDUALS WITH THE OUTDOORS AND REACH SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE RECREATIONS SKILLS AND OUTDOOR ETHICS WHICH PROMOTE CONSERVATION AND LOW IMPACT TECHNIQUES. THE MOUNTAINEERS OFFERS APPROXIMATELY 13,800 OUTDOOR YOUTH EXPERIENCES THROUGH THREE PROGRAMS: SUMMER CAMP, A YEAR-ROUND ADVENTURING PROGRAM AND MOUNTAIN WORKSHOPS, AND A YOUTH OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR DISADVANTAGED YOUTH. WE ALSO OFFER NEED-BASED PRICING TO OVER 50% OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN OUR YOUTH OUTREACH. THESE PROGRAMS TEACH YOUTH SELF-RELIANCE, SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND PROMOTE A HEALTHY ACTIVE OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE AS WELL AS GIVING THEM LIFELONG OUTDOOR SKILLS.ADULT PROGRAMS: VOLUNTEER LED AND OUTDOOR FOCUS ON EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION EXPERIENCES. THE PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO CONNECT INDIVIDUALS WITH THE OUTDOORS, TEACH SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE RECREATION SKILLS AND OUTDOOR ETHICS WHICH PROMOTE CONSERVATION AND LOW IMPACT TECHNIQUES.THE MOUNTAINEERS ALSO OFFERS CONSERVATION AND ADVOCACY, MEMBERSHIPS, EVENTS AND ROOM RENTALS, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND GLOBAL ADVENTURES.

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 January 2011.

    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.