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Alaska Trails

EIN 73-1677483 · Anchorage, AK

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Building partnerships, building trails. Working to build trails across the state and build capacity for trail organizations.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 85%
Employees
19
Volunteers
145
Highest pay
$94,484, executive director

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 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 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 34% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    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

    0 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

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. $782,284 spent. Volunteer and Paid Trail Crews: Alaska Trails Stewards-Alaska Trails is continuing its program to train, equip, and deploy trail maintenance volunteers. Alaska Trails partners with municipal, borough, state and federal agencies on the Alaska Trail Stewards Program. By training capable volunteers and connecting them with government agencies in need of trail support, the Alaska Trail Stewards Program significantly increases the amount of maintenance performed on trails in Alaska. In addition, Alaska Trails employs seasonal employees to help build and maintain trails. Alaska Trails works with the Municipality of Anchorage and Anchorage Parks Foundation to coordinate the Youth Employment in the Parks (YEP) Program by hiring a YEP Field Supervisor. Alaska Trails also hires paid trail crew members to work on trail construction and maintenance. They work May through September to help build trails, improve existing trails, and decrease the backlog of trail maintenance.
  2. $516,326 spent. Training and education: Alaska Trails conducts trail trainings across the state of Alaska, and conducted several throughout the year. Alaska Trails hosted its 2023 Statewide Trails Conference in April 2023 as both in person and virtual format. In November, Alaska Trails held the Land Manager Forum in connection with the Bureau of Land Management. In May, Alaska Trails held the annual Crew Leader Training which trains our volunteers and partner trail organization members to be leaders on trail construction and maintenance projects. In July, Mike Shields, local trail expert, led an Alaska Trails training on Trail Structures and Hydrology. The variety of training and education Alaska Trails provides for the community ensures that our volunteers, staff, trail crew members, and trail work partners in Alaska are well informed, knowledgeable, and confident in building sustainable trails that will last and benefit everybody across Alaska.
  3. $35,519 spent. Conference
  4. $23,771 spent. Projects/partners: Alaska Trails Initiative-Alaska Trails is leading this initiative which is a coalition of trails organizations from around the state collaborating with leaders in government, business, the health industry, and the non-profit sector to invest more in the trails we love. People and communities across Alaska recognize that outdoor recreation supports health, contributes to a high quality of life and, perhaps more importantly, drives spending that supports business, creates jobs, and generates tax revenue that pays for schools and other public services. Investing in outdoor infrastructure attracts employers, residents, retirees, and a skilled workforce, ensuring those communities thrive economically and socially. More than one job in ten in Alaska is tied to tourism and outdoor recreation spending. Smart investments could further grow this dynamic sector. In this vein, the Alaska Long Trail project seeks to connect 500 miles from Seward to Fairbanks.

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 November 2003.

    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.