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Friends of the Katy Trail Inc

EIN 75-2708139 · Dallas, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF FRIENDS OF THE KATY TRAIL IS TO MAINTAIN, ENHANCE AND ADVOCATE FOR THE KATY TRAIL AS THE PREMIER TRAIL FOR RECREATION, WELLNESS, AND ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION IN THE CITY OF DALLAS.

Income
$4.4 million
Spending
$4.2 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
9.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
8
Volunteers
280
Highest pay
$247,235, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.4 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 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 63% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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 14% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    29 of 29 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 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. $585,735 spent. FRIENDS OF THE KATY TRAIL MAINTAINS AND ENHANCES THE KATY TRAIL FOR THE CITY OF DALLAS AND THE BENEFIT OF NORTH TEXAS AREA CITIZENS AND VISITORS. FKT RAISES FUNDS FOR LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE, LIGHTING, WATER, PRIVATE SECURITY, CONTINUED IMPROVEMENTS, AND MORE ON THE TRAIL. A MAJOR ASSET OF DALLAS, THE KATY TRAIL IS A TREASURED URBAN GREENSPACE AND SAW MILLIONS OF VISITS IN 2024.
  2. $3.1 million spent. FRIENDS OF THE KATY TRAIL CONTINUES TO ENHANCE THE TRAIL WITH AMENITIES FOR ALL USERS. 2024 BROUGHT THE INSTALLATION OF SEVERAL NEW BENCHES, A MAJOR PLANTINGS RESTORATION PROJECT, THE OPENING OF THE STAUBACH PASS PLAZA AT THE HARVARD CROSSING, AND THE BEGINNING OF THE 2024 CITY BOND PROJECTS CAMPAIGN TO BRING TWO IMPORTANT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TRAIL. THE BOND PROJECTS ARE (1) A NEW TRAIL ENTRANCE FROM FAIRMOUNT STREET AND (2) LANDSCAPE RESTORATION AND SAFETY MEASURES ON THE TRAIL'S NORTH END FROM KNOX STREET TO HARVARD AVENUE.
  3. $63,719 spent. KATY TRAIL ART PARTNERS WITH DALLAS AREA MUSEUMS, ART COLLECTORS, AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE TO EXPAND THE ROLE OF CONTEMPORARY ART IN PUBLIC SPACES IN DALLAS. THE INITIATIVE BORROWS, COMMISSIONS, AND PRODUCES WORLD-CLASS ART PROJECTS ON AND AROUND THE KATY TRAIL TO INSPIRE CREATIVITY, SPARK CONVERSATION, ENCOURAGE SELF-REFLECTION, CHALLENGE ASSUMPTIONS, FOSTER COMMUNITY BUILDING AND PROMOTE CIVIC OWNERSHIP OF THE KATY TRAIL. KATY TRAIL ART INSTALLED TWO SCULPTURE SERIES IN 2024 FROM ARTISTS IVAN ARGOTE AND EDDIE MARTINEZ.

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 November 6, 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 September 1997.

    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 November 4, 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.