GOLD2023

PACIFIC NORTHWEST TRAIL ASSOCIATION

Sedro Woolley, WA   |  www.pnt.org
GuideStar Charity Check

PACIFIC NORTHWEST TRAIL ASSOCIATION

EIN: 91-1023116

Mission

The mission of the Pacific Northwest Trail Association is to protect and promote the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (PNNST), and to enhance recreation and educational opportunities for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

Ruling year info

1979

President

Charles Carpenter

Executive Director

Jeff Kish

Main address

209 Ferry Street Suite A

Sedro Woolley, WA 98284 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

91-1023116

Subject area info

Natural resources

Civic participation

Parks

Youth organizing

Population served info

Adolescents

At-risk youth

NTEE code info

Natural Resource Conservation and Protection (C30)

Citizen Participation (W24)

Youth Development Programs (O50)

IRS subsection

501(c)(3) Public Charity

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Tax forms

Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

The Pacific Northwest Trail was designated by Congress as part of the National Trails System in 2009, yet roughly 30% of it still needs to be relocated onto new non-motorized tread in order to reach the standards set in the National Trails System Act for a national scenic trail. The Pacific Northwest Trail Association is working to address the ongoing construction and maintenance needs of this treasured public resource.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Performance Trail Crew Program

The Performance Trail Crew Program provides paid, summer-long employment to the next generation of trail stewards.

Working in four to eight person teams, crew members hone their trail maintenance and construction skills and develop outdoor leadership skills all while camping out under the stars in national parks, national forests, and other scenic public lands along the Pacific Northwest Trail.

The Performance Trail Crew program breaks down tradition barriers to inclusion by providing a living wage, field-based meals and transportation to job sites to participants, and provides access to an outdoor equipment library so that all participants are prepared to thrive in the backcountry, regardless of their resources at home.

Population(s) Served

The Pacific Northwest Trail Association works hard to provide detailed and up-to-date trail information and educational resources for trail users. This includes an annually updated 150 page map set that is rich with navigation and interpretive content to connect users to the Pacific Northwest Trail and their public lands, as well as digital navigation resources for getting out on the trail. Our website includes important information to help the public not only connect with the resource, but also to enjoy it safely and responsibly. This includes information about hiking preparation and safety, and responsible backcountry use. Our user education includes important information about recreating in grizzly bear habitat, navigating snow and ice and difficult terrain, and tide information and coastal safety.

Population(s) Served

Where we work

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

Our goals are: 1) Secure permanent access for trail users on non-motorized tread from end to end of the Pacific Northwest Trail. 2) Build and maintain the Pacific Northwest Trail to standards set by the National Trails System Act. 3) Preserve the nationally significant scenic, historic, natural, and cultural features of the Pacific Northwest. 4) Encourage people to experience the Pacific Northwest Trail, while promoting safe and responsible use. 5) Foster interest in and stewardship of public lands among youth and young adults, while increasing diversity among trail users.

1) Access - We will continue to strengthen existing relationships and foster new ones with public land managers, private land owners, regional land trusts, and federal and state governments to identify and secure opportunities for permanent access for trail users. 2) Construction and Maintenance - We will continue to operate and grow SKY youth crews in Washington State, serve as project coordinators for regional trail maintenance partners, advocate for the prioritization PNT projects to agency partners, and look to expand Association trail operations into Idaho and Montana within the next two years. 3) Preservation - Work with local land managers, tribes, conservation groups, and communities; in order to identify and manage for the preservation of key resources. 4) Promote Responsible Use - Continue to develop and improve trail resources in order to increase access to, and promote safe and responsible use of the Pacific Northwest Trail. 5) Youth and Diversity - Build on SKY youth and Quilcene Ranger Corps programs in order to engage an increasing number of youth from communities along the PNT corridor and beyond.

The PNTA continues to expand its reach and capacity to promote, manage, and advocate for the Pacific Northwest Trail. In the last year, we've met with more than 4,000 people through community outreach events, presentations, and our annual anniversary celebration. We've increased our audience on social media to more than 12,000 followers, and continue to see growth of viewership on pnt.org. We signed a new five-year administrative agreement with the United States Forest Service, continuing our partnership as the lead nonprofit organization in the management of the PNT. Our relationships with regional trail maintainers continue to grow and strengthen, and we look forward to another year partnering with organizations such as Washington Trails Association, Back Country Horsemen, SCA, Job Corps, and SWITMO, in the maintenance of our trail corridor.

In the 40 years since our organization was founded, the PNTA has taken the dream of our founder and gifted it to the public across 1200 miles of Montana, Idaho, and Washington. Through our efforts, the PNT has obtained the highest level designation available for a long distance trail in the United States, and has joined the pantheon of the National Scenic Trails.
Designation opened a lot of doors for the Pacific Northwest Trail, but it will be decades before we can reach our goal of a permanently protected non-motorized trail that reaches its full potential as a world-class hiking and equestrian destination. In the coming year, we will grow our capacity to manage trail operations by bringing on an additional youth crew modeled on our successful Quilcene Ranger Corps program, and we will coordinate with other regional and national trail maintainers to leverage the power of volunteers to meet additional objectives.

Financials

PACIFIC NORTHWEST TRAIL ASSOCIATION
Fiscal year: Jan 01 - Dec 31
Financial documents
2012

Revenue vs. expenses:  breakdown

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info
NET GAIN/LOSS:    in 
Note: When component data are not available, the graph displays the total Revenue and/or Expense values.

Liquidity in 2020 info

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

12.10

Average of 18.42 over 10 years

Months of cash in 2020 info

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

2.9

Average of 2 over 10 years

Fringe rate in 2020 info

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

15%

Average of 16% over 10 years

Funding sources info

Source: IRS Form 990

Assets & liabilities info

Source: IRS Form 990

Financial data

Source: IRS Form 990 info

PACIFIC NORTHWEST TRAIL ASSOCIATION

Revenue & expenses

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Fiscal year ending: cloud_download Download Data

PACIFIC NORTHWEST TRAIL ASSOCIATION

Balance sheet

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot survive long, but the types of assets and liabilities must also be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan, and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.

Fiscal year ending: cloud_download Download Data

PACIFIC NORTHWEST TRAIL ASSOCIATION

Financial trends analysis Glossary & formula definitions

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

This snapshot of PACIFIC NORTHWEST TRAIL ASSOCIATION’s financial trends applies Nonprofit Finance Fund® analysis to data hosted by GuideStar. While it highlights the data that matter most, remember that context is key – numbers only tell part of any story.

Created in partnership with

Fiscal year: Jan 01 - Dec 31 picture_as_pdf View full report cloud_downloadDownload data

Business model indicators

Profitability info 2015 2016 2018 2019 2020
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) before depreciation $8,402 $23,536 $70,320 $29,685 -$44,058
As % of expenses 1.6% 5.4% 16.2% 5.4% -7.0%
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) after depreciation $6,784 $23,536 $70,320 $29,685 -$44,058
As % of expenses 1.3% 5.4% 16.2% 5.4% -7.0%
Revenue composition info
Total revenue (unrestricted & restricted) $546,453 $458,337 $503,994 $577,455 $584,884
Total revenue, % change over prior year 26.0% -16.1% 0.0% 14.6% 1.3%
Program services revenue 98.7% 97.3% 88.9% 83.9% 75.8%
Membership dues 0.6% 0.9% 7.5% 7.6% 0.9%
Investment income 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.2% 0.2%
Government grants 0.0% 1.6% 3.0% 0.8% 0.0%
All other grants and contributions 0.6% 0.0% 0.0% 6.9% 22.6%
Other revenue 0.1% 0.2% 0.6% 0.7% 0.5%
Expense composition info
Total expenses before depreciation $538,051 $434,801 $433,674 $547,770 $628,942
Total expenses, % change over prior year 26.1% -19.2% 0.0% 26.3% 14.8%
Personnel 73.4% 76.5% 72.0% 77.2% 69.9%
Professional fees 0.0% 0.0% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2%
Occupancy 3.1% 4.8% 3.5% 2.8% 4.7%
Interest 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Pass-through 2.3% 2.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
All other expenses 21.2% 16.7% 24.2% 19.8% 25.2%
Full cost components (estimated) info 2015 2016 2018 2019 2020
Total expenses (after depreciation) $539,669 $434,801 $433,674 $547,770 $628,942
One month of savings $44,838 $36,233 $36,140 $45,648 $52,412
Debt principal payment $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Fixed asset additions $0 $0 $2,750 $7,450 $0
Total full costs (estimated) $584,507 $471,034 $472,564 $600,868 $681,354

Capital structure indicators

Liquidity info 2015 2016 2018 2019 2020
Months of cash 1.1 1.8 2.6 2.6 2.9
Months of cash and investments 1.1 1.8 2.6 2.6 2.9
Months of estimated liquid unrestricted net assets 2.2 3.4 5.2 4.6 3.1
Balance sheet composition info 2015 2016 2018 2019 2020
Cash $49,362 $66,924 $93,320 $118,883 $154,041
Investments $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Receivables $48,434 $54,757 $83,600 $78,707 $8,950
Gross land, buildings, equipment (LBE) $166,573 $32,821 $35,571 $43,021 $43,021
Accumulated depreciation (as a % of LBE) 95.3% 76.2% 92.3% 76.3% 76.3%
Liabilities (as a % of assets) 6.7% 5.2% 1.4% 1.5% 6.8%
Unrestricted net assets $107,380 $130,916 $189,230 $218,915 $174,857
Temporarily restricted net assets $0 $0 $0 N/A N/A
Permanently restricted net assets $0 $0 $0 N/A N/A
Total restricted net assets $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Total net assets $107,380 $130,916 $189,230 $218,915 $174,857

Key data checks

Key data checks info 2015 2016 2018 2019 2020
Material data errors No No No No No

Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

Documents
Letter of Determination
Form 1023/1024 is not available for this organization

President

Charles Carpenter

Charlie Carpenter is a lawyer practicing out of Missoula, MT and is also licensed in Montana, Idaho, Maryland and Washington D.C. He works mostly with government contractors, but has also worked on natural resource issues, including water rights, in his 20+ years of practice. In his free time, Charlie can be found hiking, mountain biking, skiing and snowshoeing.

Executive Director

Jeff Kish

LinkedIn profile

Jeff is an accomplished thru-hiker, with complete end-to-end hikes of both the Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT) and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) under his belt. As a outdoor industry journalist, he brought the story of the PNT to an international audience in 2014, and then went on to tour the Northwest with a multimedia presentation about his experiences the following year. In 2015, he was appointed to the Department of Agriculture's Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail Advisory Council. He began his work with the PNTA in 2016.

Number of employees

Source: IRS Form 990

PACIFIC NORTHWEST TRAIL ASSOCIATION

Officers, directors, trustees, and key employees

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Compensation
Other
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Compensation data
Download up to 5 most recent years of officer and director compensation data for this organization

PACIFIC NORTHWEST TRAIL ASSOCIATION

Highest paid employees

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Compensation
Other
Related
Show data for fiscal year
Compensation data
Download up to 5 most recent years of highest paid employee data for this organization

PACIFIC NORTHWEST TRAIL ASSOCIATION

Board of directors
as of 01/19/2023
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board of directors data
Download the most recent year of board of directors data for this organization
Board chair

Charles Carpenter

Lawyer

Term: 2015 -

Vince O'Connell

Kathy Swanson

Charles Carpenter

Margaret Hartzell

Melanie Simmerman

Aya Tsuruta

Stephen Simburg

Bob Turner

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 1/3/2023

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Male

The organization's co-leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Male
Disability status
Decline to state

Race & ethnicity

No data

Gender identity

No data

 

No data

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data

Equity strategies

Last updated: 01/03/2023

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Data
  • We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
  • We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
  • We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
  • We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
Policies and processes
  • We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
  • We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
  • We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
  • We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.