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Trust for the National Mall

EIN 30-0080738 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak36 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AS THE LEADING NONPROFIT, NONPARTISAN PHILANTHROPIC PARTNER OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE DEDICATED TO RESTORING, ENRICHING AND PRESERVING THE NATIONAL MALL, THE TRUST BRINGS EXPERTISE, PRIVATE FUNDING AND IN-KIND SUPPORT TO TIME-SENSITIVE RESTORATION AND SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS, MOBILIZES VOLUNTEERS AND PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO ENSURE THAT THE NATIONAL MALL ENDURES AND EVOLVES AS A VIBRANT SPACE FOR ALL. WITH OVER 36 MILLION VISITS ANNUALLY TO THE NATIONAL MALL, COMBINED WITH AGING INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE NEED FOR BETTER VISITOR AMENITIES THROUGHOUT THE PARK, THE TRUST IS HELPING THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TACKLE THE MORE THAN $800 MILLION NEEDED FOR CRITICAL REPAIRS AND MODERNIZED IMPROVEMENTS.

Income
$10.2 million
Spending
$14.4 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
-2.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
41
Volunteers
180
Highest pay
$379,335, president & ceo

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

Weak: 36 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 22% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 15 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 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 (4)
  1. $5.7 million spent. PUBLIC AWARENESS AND EDUCATION CONSISTS OF PUBLICATIONS, NEWSLETTERS, EVENTS, PARTNERSHIP ACTIVATIONS, AND LEADERSHIP CONVENINGS TO CONNECT TRUST STAKEHOLDERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO THE NATIONAL MALL. THIS ALSO INCLUDES PUBLIC OUTREACH WITH OUR NETWORKS, THE MEDIA, AND FEDERAL AND LOCAL OFFICIALS TO INFORM ABOUT THE NEEDS OF THE NATIONAL MALL.
  2. $3.7 million spent. EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES CONSISTS OF PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE NATIONAL MALL AND ENRICH THEIR EXPERIENCE EITHER ON SITE OR VIRTUALLY. THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE QUALITY RESOURCES, INCLUDING HISTORICAL INFORMATION, PLANNING TOOLS, AND TOUR OPTIONS FOR USE BY EDUCATORS, STUDENTS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE NATIONAL MALL. THE SCOPE MAY BE BROAD IN FOCUS OR ON SPECIFIC TOPIC AREAS.
  3. $2.5 million spent. RESTORATION AND MAINTENANCE CONSISTS OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, PROVIDING SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE, AND LONG-TERM ANNUAL MAINTENANCE FOR SELECT SITES THAT WILL ADDRESS PARK USE AND VISITOR EXPERIENCE, AND SHOWCASE THE NATIONAL MALL AS A WORLD-CLASS PARK BEFITTING THIS GREAT NATION. THIS ALSO INCLUDES ACTIVITIES TO RESTORE AND MAINTAIN SELECT SITES ON THE GROUNDS OF PRESIDENT'S PARK.
  4. $605,376 spent. VOLUNTEER AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CONSISTS OF PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMPANIES TO PARTICIPATE IN SERVICE PROJECTS AND SCHEDULED YEAR-AROUND VOLUNTEER SERVICE THROUGH THE VOLUNTEERS IN PARKS (VIP) PROGRAM AND THE MALL HANDS ON DECK PROGRAM. IT ALSO INCLUDES CONVENINGS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER NPS PARK PARTNERS TO SUPPORT SITES ON THE NATIONAL MALL.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2002.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.