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Valdez Adventure Alliance

EIN 84-2445177 · Valdez, AK

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Valdez Adventure Alliance seeks to improve quality of life through equitable access to outdoor recreation resources education and events. We promote community development through outdoor experiences and events that improve physical and mental health. We develop improve maintain and manage outdoor recreation infrastructure. We implement education and activities in environmental stewardship skills and safety. We advocate for increasing access and participation in outdoor recreation for everyone including under-represented populations.

Income
$256,268
Spending
$214,285
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 41%
Employees
16
Volunteers
45

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 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 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 48% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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, 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. $116,071 spent. TRAILS: We are currently rebuilding Gold Beach Trail and Gold Creek Trail. This requires enormous amounts of work to get and implement grants to do this trail rebuilding. We actively engage community members of all ages as volunteers on trails. We have produced and continue to add to a Field Guide that focuses on traditional Native uses of the plants along the trail. We continue to update produce and distribute the brochure we created about Health Benefits of Trails. We distribute trail and outdoor recreation education materials at all outreach booths all year. We employ 15 people to do this work.
  2. $41,457 spent. EVENTS: We hosted the Valdez Fat Bike Bash event where we gave out free safety and educational materials to attendees of all ages. This event has several activities that encourage family building including a free Friday evening ride and a Saturday evening social event. This event is also an important boost to the local businesses and thus their employees. Bike Bash served 45 people. We hosted Odyssey Off-Trail Race where we also gave out educational and safety materials. This served 25 people. Disc Golf
  3. $40,244 spent. PARKS We manage Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site Blueberry Lake Campgrounds and Shoup Bay Cabins. All of these parks are owned by the State of Alaska but the State was going to close them because they are remote and difficult and expensive to maintain. Hosts are trained with an educational script and information to share with guests and safety and educational materials are given out and or posted at all locations. At Worthington Glacier we served about 32,000 people; Blueberry Lake Campgrounds we served about 3,500 people; Cabins we served about 700 people.
  4. $3,279 spent. Outreach Program provides communications educational materials resources to the public.

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 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 2025.

    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 August 2019.

    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.