Tahoe Rim Trail Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE THE TAHOE RIM TRAIL SYSTEM, PRACTICE AND INSPIRE STEWARDSHIP, AND PRESERVE RECREATIONAL ACCESS TO THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE LAKE TAHOE REGION.
- Income
- $1.8 million
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 65.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 53%
- Employees
- 16
- Volunteers
- 287
- Highest pay
- $104,074, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 65.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 26% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 (5)
- $348,233 spent. TRAIL OPERATIONS PROGRAM: MAINTAINS AND ENHANCES THE TAHOE RIM TRAIL SYSTEM BY ORGANIZING AND TRAINING VOLUNTEERS TO BUILD, MAINTAIN, AND IMPROVE ITS NEARLY 200 MILES OF TRAIL. IN 2024, THE TRTA LEVERAGED THE SUPPORT OF ACTIVE CREW LEADERS AND VOLUNTEERS WHO CONTRIBUTED 70 DAYS TO MAINTAIN EVERY MILE OF THE TRAIL SYSTEM. THE ASSOCIATION CLEARED 392 DOWNED TREES FROM THE TRAIL, AND COMPLETED MAJOR MAINTENANCE ON TRAILS.
- $350,109 spent. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS: DISTRIBUTE INFORMATION ABOUT EVENTS, PROGRAMS, AND OPPORTUNITIES FACILITATED BY THE ASSOCIATION AND THE TAHOE RIM TRAIL. IN 2024, TRTA HAD 700,000 ANNUAL USERS AND ENGAGED INDIVIDUALS AT 67 HOSTED TRAIL AMBASSADOR DAYS TO TEACH SUSTAINABLE TRAIL USE.
- $226,125 spent. YOUTH PROGRAMS: CONDUCTS OVERNIGHT YOUTH BACKPACKING TRIPS SO THE PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPERIENCE THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF TIME SPENT OUTDOORS AND LEARN THE PRINCIPLES OF LEAVE NO TRACE. IN 2024, THERE WERE 12 TRIPS SERVING A TOTAL OF 115 YOUTH OF WHICH 60% WERE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE AT NO COST.
- $174,334 spent. TRAIL USE PROGRAMS: PROMOTES ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, INSPIRES A LOVE FOR THE LAKE TAHOE REGION, AND ENCOURAGES HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE LIVING. TRAIL USE PROGRAMS COORDINATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PUBLIC TO EXPERIENCE THE TRAIL IN MANY WAYS INCLUDING HIKES, SNOWSHOE TREKS, YOUTH PROGRAMS, SEVERAL BACKCOUNTRY SKILLS COURSES SUCH AS SNOW CAMPING 101 AND BACKPACKING 101, WILDERNESS MEDICAL COURSES, AND OTHER TRAININGS.
- TRAIL USE PROGRAMS: PROMOTES ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, INSPIRES A LOVE 174334. 0. 0.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1982.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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