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Friends of the Northern Rail Trail

EIN 84-1665769 · New London, NH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood79 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To Improve, Promote and Maintain the Northern Rail Trail as a Four Season Multi Use Recreational Trail

Income
$212,805
Spending
$146,230
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
10 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 55%
Employees
0
Volunteers
50

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 79% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    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, 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 (4)
  1. $117,968 spent. 1. $117,968 Total for Trail Resurfacing, Maintenance & Improvements. This includes: A. $79,460 Grafton, NH Resurfaced and widened the trail north and south of Grafton Center Meetinghouse, By Mark Thompson Excavation Inc. B. $11,709 for Bridge Deck Replacement and Bridge Repairs by Belletetes Building Materials, Lavalley Building Supplies. "C. $11,071 for Mowing and Leaf Blowing by Tucker Mountain Land Services and $1,224 leaf blower by Ready Rents. " D. $4,518, Boscawen, NH Resurfaced trail approach to Hannah Duston Bridge, by Mark Thompson Excavation Inc. E. $3,240, Danbury, NH Trail Resurfacing resulting from flood damage at Jack Wells Road north and south, by Mark Thompson Excavation Inc. F. $3,000, Danbury, N.H Added hard pack surface at Carr Street Crossing & cover exposed Rail Resurface, by J&B Landscaping & Excavation LLC. G. $1,820, for 3 TrafX Trail Counters by TRAFx Research Ltd. H. $1,650, Danbury, N.H. Culvert Cleaning and Ditching at Beaver Pond by Mark Thompson Excavation. I. $1,500 For State of NH Dredge & Fill Permit Trail Services at Enfield ,NH by Meridian Land Services.
  2. $8,000 spent. 2. New Parking Lot Total = $8,000, Franklin,NH Excavate and surface new parking lot at Chance Pond Road for 10 cars, by J&B Landscaping & Excavation LLC . This new parking lot attracts more trail users as it offers safe and convenient parking to access the trail that is away from the high traffic road opposite the Webster Lake entrance.
  3. $6,822 spent. 3. $6,792 Trailhead Sign and two Kiosks. This includes: A. $3,436 for a Welcome Sign at the southern trailhead. This new Welcome Sign features the 10 towns that the 59 mile Rail Trail goes through and attracts folks to the health and wellness benefits of cycling, running, walking, x-country skiing, snowmobiling and horseback riding on the trail. B. $3,386 for 2 Kiosks, Tables and a Bike Rack. These Kiosks provide a trail map with "you are here" information on trail mileage, distances to south and northbound destinations, rest area, parking, food and bicycle charging stations. Also featured is information on trail etiquette, shared use path safety protocol, permitted trail uses, QR codes for information on the NH Trails Bureau and Friends of The Northern Rail Trail. The Kiosks include historical pictures of the railroad beginning in 1847 of the economic, social and cultural impact of train services with regular passenger services ending in 1965 and regular freight services ceased in the mid-1970s.
  4. 33 Maintenance Volunteers delivered 956 Hours. Resolved 175 incidents and removed 65 trees down on trail.

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 December 2005.

    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.