Passes our checks

Santa Fe Trail Association

EIN 48-1058674 · Larned, KS

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

What it says it does

PRESERVATION OF THE SANTA FE TRAIL

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
28 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 11.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
86% 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
25 of 25
18 of 18 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15
Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)

$93,804 spent. THE SANTA FE TRAIL ASSOCIATION CREATES EXHIBITS IN KANSAS, MISSOURI, OKLAHOMA, COLORADO AND NEW MEXICO TO HIGHLIGHT IMPORTANT LOCATIONS ALONG THE SANTA FE TRAIL. THESE EXHIBITS CONTAIN MARKERS INFORMING THE PUBLIC OF THE TRAIL AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE TO AMERICAN HISTORY. THESE EXHIBITS WILL BE VIEWED BY THOUSANDS OF VISITORS. THE ASSOCIATION ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS TO PROVIDE SCHOLARLY RESEARCH CONCERNING THE TRAIL. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE SOME AMOUNTS WHICH ARE SUPPORTED AND REIMBURSED BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.
$134,735 spent. TO SEEK PUBLIC EXPOSURE OF ITS GOALS AND ACTIVITIES IN ORDER TO CREATE PUBLIC AWARENESS, SUPPORT, SCHOLARLY DOCUMENTATIONS & CONCERN FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE HISTORICAL SANTA FE TRAIL
TO SEEK PUBLIC EXPOSURE OF ITS GOALS AND ACTIVITIES IN ORDER TO CREATE PUBLIC AWARENESS, SUPPORT, SCHOLARLY DOCUMENTATIONS & CONCERN FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE HISTORICAL SANTA FE TRAIL

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 November 1988.
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.