USA Track & Field Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
USA Track & Field drives competitive excellence and popular engagement in the sport of track and field, long distance running and race walking. The mission of USA Track & Field is to foster sustained competitive excellence in elite athletes representing the United States in international competition, and interest and participation in the sport in the United States for all ages.
- Income
- $42.3 million
- Spending
- $43.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- -1.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 74%
- Employees
- 104
- Volunteers
- 13,000
- Highest pay
- $1.2 million, chief executive officer
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: 38 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 121% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 21% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 46% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 21 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a 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
10 of 10Gave 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
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $17.7 million spent. Elite athlete competitions: provide domestic and international competitive opportunities for American elite track and field athletes. Typically stage more than 100 national championships across all disciplines of our sport in the United States. Typically stage 5-10 domestic non-championship elite track and field competitions. Field elite teams to represent the United States in approximately 20 international competitions, including world championship and Olympic events. Typically provide competitive opportunities and related travel and housing to approximately 350 elite track and field athletes. The objective of competitive opportunities is to provide competitive training for our athletes and increase the visibility for the sport to the general public. Fulfills all five of USATF's stated purposes as stated in the bylaws: development, management, performance, marketing and diversity.
- $6.7 million spent. Athlete support and development: typically provide developmental support to more than 700 developing and emerging elite athletes through a variety of programs: developmental competitive opportunities at approximately 10 events; direct support to 95-100 coaches coaching 200 of the most elite athletes; coaching education programs for all disciplines online and at nearly 50 in-person and virtual sessions reaching hundreds of coaches; sport science and medicine studies conducted and shared throughout the track and field community; anti-doping education and testing support for athletes; and anti-doping and healthy lifestyle community outreach reaching tens of thousands of children in their schools. The objective of these programs is to continually identify, educate and develop athletes from youth through their growth and development to elite or recreational athletes. Fulfills all five of USATF's stated purposes as stated in the bylaws; development, management, performance, marketing and diversity.
- $6.0 million spent. Grass roots and member-based programs: USATF has more than 100,000 members served through a variety of programs. Membership fulfillment includes sport accident insurance, membership publications, membership cards, retailer discounts and other benefits. Typically, our sanction program provides liability insurance to approximately 5,000 events with more than 6,000,000 participants of all ages and abilities. Our annual meeting provides membership an opportunity to strategize for the continued success of the sport, plan our volunteer-based programs and vote on certain organizational changes. Grass roots programs include support of training and competition for thousands of youth through our junior Olympic and youth athletics track and field meet series. Grass roots also encompasses support for training, development, marketing and competitive opportunities for adults of all ages and abilities through our long distance running and masters programs. Fulfills all five of USATF's stated purposes as stated in the bylaws: development, management, performance, marketing and diversity.
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
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 October 1983.
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.