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Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy Inc

EIN 58-1546016 · Franklin, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceWeak25 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE PHILADELPHIA-BORN NATURALIST, WILLIAM BARTRAM, WHO TRAVELED THROUGH THE SOUTHEAST BETWEEN THE YEARS 1773 AND 1777, WRITING EXACT AND VIVED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PLANTS AND ANIMALS HE SAW AND THE NATIVE TRIBES HE ENCOUNTERED, AND WHO PUBLISHED THESE WRITINGS IN 1791 AS "TRAVELS OF WILLIAM BARTRAM". TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A 110 MILE MEMORIAL TRAIL, FOLLOWING A ROUTE AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO BARTRAM'S ORIGINAL ROUTE THROUGH NORTHEAST GEORGIA AND WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. TO PROMOTE FURTHER INQUIRY AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE PLANTS AND ANIMALS OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS, AS WELL AS THE TRADITIONS AND CULTURE OF THE NATIVE CHEROKEE PEOPLE, WHICH BARTRAM ENCOUNTERED ON THIS TRAVEL HERE IN 1775.

Income
$231,677
Spending
$161,893
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
18.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 96%
Employees
2

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

Strong: 95 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% 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

Weak: 25 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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

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. HONOR WILLIAM BARTRAM WITH MEMORIAL TRAIL. STUDY PLANTS, ANIMALS AND THE TRADITIONS AND CULTURE OF THE CHEROKEE PEOPLE.
  2. $161,893 spent. HONOR WILLIAM BARTRAM WITH MEMORIAL TRAIL. STUDY PLANTS, ANIMALS AND THE TRADITIONS AND CULTURE OF THE CHEROKEE PEOPLE.
  3. HONOR WILLIAM BARTRAM WITH MEMORIAL TRAIL. STUDY PLANTS, ANIMALS AND THE TRADITIONS AND CULTURE OF THE CHEROKEE PEOPLE.

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

  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 October 13, 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 December 2024.

    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 March 1984.

    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 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.