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Potomac Appalachian Trail Club Inc

EIN 53-0187508 · Vienna, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (the Club), through volunteer efforts, education and advocacy, acquires, maintains and protects the trail and lands of the Appalachian Trail and other trails and related facilities in the Mid-Atlantic region for the enjoyment of present and future hikers.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
57.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 58%
Employees
17
Volunteers
1,300
Highest pay
$107,546, staff director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 57.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 34 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 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, 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 (7)
  1. $327,713 spent. Cabin Services: Purchase, lease or manage cabins that protect the integrity and/or viewshed of pertinent trail lands; provide necessary maintenance and oversight of all cabins; rent cabins at affordable rates for members and general public for their enjoyment of the outdoors.
  2. $176,686 spent. Member and Communication Services: PATC has 7,231 members at the end of 2025, of whom more than 10 percent volunteer their time in service to the Club, including trail maintenance and monitoring, education, cabin construction and/or maintenance, leave no trace ethics, headquarters administration, etc. All members receive a monthly newsletter, the Potomac Appalachian, monthly email updates, use of member-only cabins, and discounts on PATC merchandise.
  3. $138,493 spent. Outreach: PATC participates in various events and programs geared toward reaching and educating both members and the general public about the mission of the club, as well as to advocate for the care and appreciation of the AT and other hiking trails. This includes attendance at various public fairs and festivals and the organization of group hikes. PATC also employs six seasonal individuals, known as Ridgerunners, who work on sections of the AT between spring and fall to educate and support hikers. We also maintain a volunteer group of trail advocates, known as the Trail Patrol, who do similar work as the Ridgerunners year round.
  4. $59,987 spent. Trail Patrol: Trail Patrol provides education on a variety of trail related topics such as safety, wilderness first aid, leave no trace principles, backpacking, and hike leadership; volunteers also monitor the trails providing education and safety tips to hikers and reporting potential hazards to the appropriate authorities.
  5. $98,541 spent. Bears Den Lodge & Hostel/Blackburn Trail Center: Provide a respite for thru hikers, section, and day hikers along the Appalachian Trail; located nine miles apart from one another, less than a mile hike from the Appalachian Trail, these facilities provide a bunk or camp site, food and water, and comradery for the weary hiker.
  6. $30,985 spent. Land Management: PATC-owned land is monitored by volunteer managers who inspect and report on conditions and needed remediation. Staff and volunteers assess prospective acquisitions and coordinate planning, improving and use of lands.
  7. $113,155 spent. Trail Maintenance: Provide erosion control, vegetation removal and overall maintenance of trails and foot bridges to provide hikers with a pleasant and safe experience, including 240 miles of the Appalachian Trail and 700 miles of side trails.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 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 August 1944.

    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.