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Wasatch Backcountry Alliance

EIN 46-3827060 · Millcreek, UT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Wasatch Backcountry Alliance (WBA) is the recognized voice for the backcountry community involved in human-powered winter recreation in the Central Wasatch Mountains. WBA represents a unified voice to media, partners, elected officials, and the general public. WBA focuses on providing advocacy to support our causes, and serves as a central information venue for related topics.

Income
$83,241
Spending
$82,512
Reserves
8.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Highest pay
$41,385, director

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 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 (4)
  1. $18,645 spent. Advocacy - Engage in meetings with mayors, resort managers, the Forest Service, UDOT, the Central Wasatch Commission, as well as congressional & local representatives to make sure backcountry interests are represented.
  2. $17,910 spent. Backcountry Shuttle - In response to the congestion cluster, pay-to-play, and restricted early morning parking situation in upper LCC, we created a Saturday Shuttle service to help backcountry users access prized areas like Grizzly Gulch, Superior, the Emma's, and Wolverine Cirque. Intended to help bring awareness to transportation issues and provide examples of how existing infrastructure and technology can be part of the solution.
  3. $12,727 spent. Community Education - Communicate through media outlets to promote the importance of backcountry terrain in the Wasatch. Additionally, maintaining community outreach and education through social media, our website blog, and email newsletters.
  4. $6,071 spent. Trailhead Counting Program - WBA's winter trailhead counter project provides the first-ever long-term record of non-motorized winter recreational use in the Central Wasatch. WBA's all-volunteer project collects user numbers from infrared counters at fifteen sites in Millcreek, Big Cottonwood, and Little Cottonwood Canyons from December 1 to May 1.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 October 2014.

    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.