Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Foothills Rails to Trails Coalition

EIN 94-3053040 · Puyallup, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

We work to expand, fund, maintain, promote and advocate for an accessible and inclusive trail system from Mt. Rainier National Park to Puget Sound, fostering recreation, health, active transportation, economic growth, and environmental and historic preservation.

Income
$454,558
Spending
$785,531
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
8.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 49%
Employees
2
Volunteers
268
Highest pay
$84,625, executive director

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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 73% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 39 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

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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

    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. $107,827 spent. The Coalition organized the annual Rainier to Ruston Relay, a regional relay event drawing more than 1,500 participants and requiring the support of approximately 100 volunteers to carry out successfully. The event showcases the Coalitions vision of a connected mountain-to-sound trail system from Mount Rainier National Park to Puget Sound while promoting outdoor recreation, trail connectivity, and public awareness of the Foothills Trail system. The event also supports the Coalitions mission to maintain, enhance, and expand regional trail access.
  2. $459,239 spent. The Coalition led a capital campaign, along with design and planning efforts, for the Doc Tait Pavilion in Buckley in partnership with the City of Buckley and Pierce County Parks. The project honors longtime trail advocate Dr. Douglas Tait and will provide a public gathering space along the Foothills Trail featuring shelter, restrooms, and interpretive signage. During the year, the Coalition secured funding and advanced the project toward construction, which began and was completed in 2025.
  3. $27,672 spent. In partnership with Pierce County Parks, the Coalition expanded its volunteer stewardship program through monthly work parties held from April through October along the Foothills Trail corridor. In 2025, the program engaged 168 volunteers who contributed approximately 370 hours of service toward invasive species removal, native tree and shrub planting, and trail maintenance. Highlights included Celebrate Trails Day, where more than 60 volunteers helped plant over 200 native trees and shrubs. Together, these efforts improved trail conditions, strengthened habitat restoration, and deepened community investment in the long-term care and preservation of the Foothills Trail.
  4. $60,690 spent. Friends of Riverwalk Community Outreach Bridge the Plateau

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 December 1987.

    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.