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National Association of State Trust Lands

EIN 84-3716334 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceWeak27 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 34% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE OF THE ASSOCIATION IS TO BRING TOGETHER PUBLIC LAND MANAGERS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING THE ADMINISTRATION OF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF ACRES OF SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE LANDS AND FINANCIAL ASSETS THAT ARE HELD IN TRUST IN 20 WESTERN STATES. THESE ASSETS ARE MANAGED FOR THE BENEFIT OF HELPING STATES FUND EDUCATION. THE ASSOCIATION MEETS ANNUALY TO DISCUSS BEST PRACTICES IN TRUST LAND MANAGEMENT FOR A WIDE ARRAY OF USES THAT GENERATE REVENUE FOR VARIOUS BENEFICIARIES. INFORMATION IS DISTRIBUTED TO ALL MEMBERS TO ASSIST THEM IN KEEPING ABREAST OF THE OPPORTURNITIES AND CHALLENGES THAT ARISE WHEN MANAGING LARGE AND DIVERSE LAND HOLDINGS.

Income
$298,909
Spending
$261,762
Spent on programs
34%
Reserves
29 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 29.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    34% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 27 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 4 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.

  • 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 June 30, 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 (2)
  1. THE ANNUAL SUMMER CONFERENCE WAS HELD IN JULY, 2024 IN COEUR D'ALENE, IDAHO. TOPICS INCLUDED FOR DISCUSSION INCLUDED SOCIAL MEDIA AND AI, RENEWABLE ENERGY CHALLENGES AND SUCCESSES, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES FOR ENDOWMENTS, TIMBER MANAGEMENT, OIL AND GAS MANAGEMENT, CRITICAL MINERALS, RECREATION ON TRUST LANDS AND AN UPDATE ON FEDERAL ACTIONS THAT COULD IMPACT THE MANGEMENT OF TRUST LANDS IN THE RESPECTIVE STATES.
  2. $89,717 spent. THESE CONFERENCES ARE INVALUABLE IN MEETING ONE OF THE PRIMARY GOALS OF THE ASSOCIATION, EDUCATING AND SPREADING AWARENESS OF WHAT STATE TRUST LANDS ARE AND HOW THEY ARE MANAGED FOR THEIR BENEFICIARIES. BY ATTRACTING NEW CONFERENCE SPONSORS AND AFFILIATE MEMBERS THE NASTL CAN EXPAND THE OUTREACH AND EDUCATION COMPONENT OF ITS MISSION. ADDITIONALLY, VIRTUAL MEETINGS WERE HELD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO KEEP MEMBERS ENGAGED AND INFORMED ON TRUST LAND MATTERS AS WELL AS PROVIDING NETWORK OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE BEST PRACTICES IN LAND MANAGEMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 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 April 2020.

    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.