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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: December 2024 Expires: December 2026

Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Accredited Charity
Accredited Charity

Meets Standards

Accreditation seal
799 Washington Street, Post Office Box 807
Harpers Ferry, WV, 25425

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Appalachian Trail Conservancy meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to protect, manage, and advocate for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail."

Year, State Incorporated:
1936, DC

Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is dedicated to protecting, managing, and advocating for the natural, scenic, historical, and cultural resources associated with the 2,200-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail in order to provide outdoor recreation and educational opportunities for trail visitors. The organization serves an active membership of about 30,300 members as well as an estimated 3 million visitors annually to the Appalachian Trail. It coordinates the efforts of 30 affiliated clubs and over 4,700 volunteers.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, Appalachian Trail Conservancy's program expenses were:

Conservation Land Trust: $6,488,371

Publications: $615,562

Communications: $898,836

Total Program Expenses: $8,002,769

Chief Executive
Sandra Marra, President and Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$170,490

Chair of the Board
James LaTorre

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Retired partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers

Board Size
19

Paid Staff Size
99

*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Special events

Fundraising costs were 19% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $9,093,158 are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Appalachian Trail Conservancy's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Source of Funds
In-kind contributions $1,284,202
Contributions $6,763,280
Membership $1,045,676
Contractual services $4,360,732
Sales, net $197,835
Other income $54,971
Annuity actuarial adjustment $945
Investment gain return, net $1,481,707
Total Income $15,189,348

Programs: 69% Fundraising: 15% Administrative: 16%

Total Income $15,189,348
Total expenses: $11,603,229
  Program expenses $8,002,769
  Fundraising expenses $1,737,320
  Administrative expenses $1,863,140
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $3,586,119
Beginning Net Assets $18,956,279
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $22,542,398
Total Liabilities $10,221,307
Total Assets $32,763,705

Note: According to the organization's 2023 audited financial statements, ATC received in-kind contributions of $1,284,202 including land held in conservancy ($1,110,000), legal services ($145,612), travel ($18,177), and inventory ($10,413). 

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

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Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance