Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards

EIN 47-2407669 · Asheville, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SAWS sets standards of excellence that inspire, connect, and equip people to steward wild public lands. SAWS provides trail maintenance, restoration, construction, ranger patrols, and disaster recovery in remote and wilderness areas; offers technical training in stewardship and crosscut saw use; and engages communities, volunteers, and the public in transformational conservation and education efforts.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 81%
Employees
27
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$83,276, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 42% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 39 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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, 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)
  1. $866,203 spent. Wilderness Stewardship Program: In partnership with federal agencies, SAWS wilderness rangers provide trail maintenance, collect stewardship data, monitor wilderness character, and engage public land visitors with local information and Leave No Trace education. In 2024, we delivered 29,330 hours of stewardship across 26 wilderness areas in 6 states, connected with 3,956 visitors, removed 803 pounds of trash, and authored 61 technical wilderness documents contributing thousands of data points for recreation site and solitude monitoring.
  2. Trail Infrastructure Program: Across federal public lands, SAWS field crews maintain, restore, and construct trail tread and infrastructure in remote and wilderness areas. In 2024, we brushed over 15 miles of trail corridor, built 552 feet of rock cribbing, maintained 208 drainage features, installed 56 rock steps, removed 649 downed trees, and constructed 7,328 feet of new trail tread. Training and Education Program: SAWS delivers specialized training in wilderness stewardship, crosscut saw use, wilderness first aid, trail infrastructure, Leave No Trace, and public land management. In 2024, we co-led the annual Wilderness Skills Institute serving 183 participants, 10 national forests and regions, and 28 partner organizations through 9 free courses over two weeks, providing certifications and hands-on learning opportunities to agency staff, partners, and volunteers to promote excellence in stewardship. Additionally, we led 21 trainings including certifying 135 crosscut saw sawyers under U.S. Forest Service standards.
  3. Workforce Development Program: SAWS provides paid field positions and leadership development opportunities to the next generation of conservation stewards. In 2024, we created 25 new jobs and delivered 4,720 hours of professional development training for seasonal crews, rangers, and specialists who gained hands-on experience in conservation, trail work, and leadership. Many alumni return for additional seasons or go on to careers in conservation, natural resource management, and public land service. Disaster Response Program: SAWS maintains expert C-certified sawyers and trail specialists ready to lead and mobilize crews for natural disaster response in wilderness areas using traditional tools and adhering to wilderness law and policy. In 2024, SAWS responded to two natural disasters on federal land: Tropical Storm Fred on the Pisgah Ranger District, National Forest in North Carolina and flood damage on the Ocoee Ranger District, Cherokee National Forest. Community Engagement Program: Across the Southern Appalachian Mountains, SAWS engages community volunteers, partners, and the public through stewardship projects, educational outreach, and collaborative events. In 2024, we hosted 98 stewardship events including 62 volunteer projects, 21 trainings, 13 outreach events, and 2 education events. These efforts supported 4,020 hours of volunteer stewardship service.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 2025.

    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 May 2015.

    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.