Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Analysis

Appalachian Trail Conservancy is a registered charity in United States, based in Harpers Ferry, WV. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in August 1950, 76 years ago. Its declared purposes cover recreation and sports, which this site groups under amateur sport and recreation. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (gross receipts test) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Appalachian Trail Conservancy reported income of $14.6m and spending of $11.6m, leaving 20% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $9.5m to $14.6m (+53%), an average of +11% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2020, when income rose by 78%. Over the whole period it spent 92% of the income it received.

Among 30,892 United States charities whose main cause is amateur sport and recreation and that reported income, Appalachian Trail Conservancy sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 96th percentile, and in the 96th percentile within WV. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Dorothea Dix Park Conservancy ($14.5m), Hole in the Wall Gang Fund Inc ($14.6m) and National Ability Center ($14.5m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 61% and program service revenue 30% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $316k (2.7% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $5.1m. At year end it held assets of $32.8m against liabilities of $10.2m, net assets of $22.5m. It reported 115 employees.