To help protect the 2,200 mile Appalachian national scenic Trail and 370,000 acres of land in the Appalachian Trail (a.t. Or the Trail) corridor; advocate for the Trail; compile and disseminate educational information; and cooperatively manage the a.t.

501(c)(3) charity; gifts are tax-deductible.
69¢ of each $1 spent went to programs.
$806K paid to officers and key staff.
Mission: Form 990 Part I, line 1 · Status: IRS Pub. 78 · Programs: Part IX · Pay: Part VII

Before you give

FY2023 · Form 990Independent: from IRS data, not the org
Download 990
IRS status
501(c)(3)
not on the IRS revocation list
Looks good: listed by the IRS and not on the revocation list.
IRS BMF · Auto-Revocation List
Tax-deductible gifts
Yes
Donations are tax-deductible
Looks good: the IRS lists gifts to it as deductible.
IRS Pub. 78 · IRS BMF
Latest return
FY2025
latest Form 990
Looks good: the latest return is for FY2025, 1 tax year back; within 2 tax years.
IRS e-file · Filing history
Surplus or deficit
5 of 6
filings with a surplus
Average surplus $3.1M a year · 19% of revenue · last 6 filings
Fine: a surplus in 5 of the last 6 filings.
Pt I · Ln 19 · 6 filings
Spent on programs
69%
of spending
Fine: 69% of spending went to programs; 65% to 75%.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Pay to officers and key staff
$806K
to officers and key staff · 7% of spending
Looks good: pay to officers and key staff is 7% of spending; 15% or less.
Pt VII · Sec A
6 mo
of spending, in cash
Plus $10.9M in investments, Pt X · Ln 11–13
Looks good: 6.1 months of spending in cash; 3 or more.
Pt X · Ln 1–2 · Pt I · Ln 18
Named funders
8
named funders · $18K
Looks good: 8 funders name it on their filings; 3 or more.
Funders’ Sch. I, 990-PF
Liabilities
$10.2M
31% of total assets
Looks good: liabilities are 31% of assets; 50% or less.
Pt X · Ln 26
Independent board members
17
of 17 voting members
Looks good: 17 of 17 voting members are independent, a majority.
Pt VI · Ln 1a–1b
Looks goodFineWorth a lookConcernNo data yetTap a box for the reason.
Revenue
$14.6M
+22% vs prior year
Spent
$11.6M
To programs
69%
Net assets
$22.5M
By yearFY2020–FY2025
Revenue
$14.6M
FY2023▲ +22%
Tap a bar for its year
Revenue by fiscal year
FY2020$16.9M
FY2021$14.5M
FY2022$12.0M
FY2023$14.6M
FY2024$19.4M
FY2025$23.5M
Expenses
$11.6M
FY2023▼ -4%
Tap a bar for its year
Expenses by fiscal year
FY2020$14.4M
FY2021$13.8M
FY2022$12.0M
FY2023$11.6M
FY2024$14.1M
FY2025$16.1M
Net assets
$22.5M
FY2023▲ +19%
Tap a bar for its year
Net assets by fiscal year
FY2020$20.5M
FY2021$21.5M
FY2022$19.0M
FY2023$22.5M
FY2024$27.5M
FY2025$35.8M

From the FY2023 Form 990 · figures checked against the IRS filing · see the original

Give Claim
You’re viewing the FY2023 filing — not the latest on file. See the latest (FY2025) →

Is it real?

Yes. Never revoked by the IRS. Latest filing on record: FY2025. IRS ruling in Aug 1950.

IRS Pub. 78 · IRS Auto-Revocation List · IRS Business Master File

Where the money goes

69 cents of each dollar spent went to programs.

Program services 69% · $8.0M Management & general 17% · $2.0M Fundraising 14% · $1.6M

Form 990 Part IX, line 25, columns B–D. Every line is in By the numbers.

Something off? Claim to add context

Who runs it and what they're paid

23 people listed on the 990; $806K paid to officers and key staff.

Part VII, Section A · reportable compensation
President & CEO
$152,859Pt VII · Sec A
Associate VP of Advancement
$136,600Pt VII · Sec A
VP of Regional & Trail Ope
$134,136Pt VII · Sec A
Chief Financial Officer
$131,030Pt VII · Sec A
VP of Advancement
$130,791Pt VII · Sec A
VP of Conservation & Polic
$120,873Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A

Sandra Marra’s $230K as President & CEO is at the 27th percentile of top reported officer pay among 290 $10–100M recreation & sports nonprofits. Peer set: organizations in the same NTEE major field of work and revenue-size band, compared on each org’s own highest-paid officer/key-employee, from Form 990 Part VII / 990-PF Part VIII. Descriptive placement, not a verdict on whether the pay is appropriate.

Compensation history total reportable pay by year · 8 named individuals · Part VII

NameFY2025FY2024FY2023FY2022FY2021FY2020
Sandra Marra$230,137$171,175$152,859$169,351$169,994$165,548
Jeri Ward$166,397$178,049————
Karen Cronin$167,919$91,589————
Delita Marshland$165,691—————
Daniel Ryan$156,403—————
Kevin Metheny$155,083$150,079$134,136$118,042——
Nicole Prorock——$131,030$147,709$140,895$143,916
Shalin Desai————$135,390$138,601

Total reportable compensation (Form 990 Part VII column D / Schedule J column E) by filing year, matched by name within this organization. The Schedule J base / bonus / deferred breakdown is not parsed into this dataset.

See Appalachian Trail Conservancy executive salaries →

On this list? Claim this org

Something off? Claim to add context

Questions the 990 asks

The form asks each of these directly. These are the filed answers.

  • Family or business ties among officersPt VI · Ln 2No
  • Top official's pay set by an independent reviewPt VI · Ln 15aYes

Programs and updates

Protects, manages, and advocates for the 2,200-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail to preserve its natural beauty and ensure it remains open for everyone.

Questions for Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Tap to ask. Appalachian Trail Conservancy sees how many people are interested.

Your first name shows with your question. Appalachian Trail Conservancy answers here, for everyone.

Provided by the organization

Know this org? Add your story

1 program · $8.0M · in their own filed words · FY2023
01

The appalachian trail conservancy is a volunteer-based, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting, managing, and advocating for the natural, scenic, historical, and cultural resources associated with the 2,200 mile anst in order to provide outdoor recreation and educational opportunities for trail visitors.

$8.0Mprogram expense

Funders

Who pays for it.

From grant filings on record. Receipts are incomplete: individual donors are never listed.

Grants

Schedule I · received and paid
Grants received · FY2025
See all 8 funders →
Grants paid · 104 grants · $13.6M · 2020–2025
GatcGA · FY2025$31,302
Nantahala Hiking Club INCNC · FY2025$6,245
Gatc Doug HaasGA · FY2024$50,499
Nantahala Hiking Club INCNC · FY2024$7,646
Tennessee Eastman Hiking ClubFY2024$7,172
Gatc Doug HaasGA · FY2023$55,726
Amc - Business OfficeMA · FY2023$9,782
See all 104 grants →

By the numbers

The FY2023 990, line by line.

1The main four
Money inPt VIII
$14.6M
Ln 12
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$8.9M
Fees for servicesLn 2g$4.4M
Investment incomeLn 3$1.0M
Money outPt IX
$11.6M
Ln 25
Programscol B$8.0M
Managementcol C$2.0M
Fundraisingcol D$1.6M
Owns and owesPt X
$22.5M
net assets · Ln 32
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$5.9M
Total assetsLn 16$32.8M
LiabilitiesLn 26$10.2M
PeoplePt VI, VII
23
listed · VII A
PaidVII A6
Voting boardVI 1a17
IndependentVI 1b17
2In more detail
Revenue in detailPt VIII
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$8.9M
Noncash giftsLn 1g$1.3M
Fundraising eventsLn 1c$20K
Fees for servicesLn 2g$4.4M
Investment incomeLn 3$1.0M
Other incomeLn 4–11$247K
Gains on assetsLn 7$732K
Total revenueLn 12$14.6M
Assets in detailPt X, end of year
CashLn 1$4.2M
SavingsLn 2$1.7M
Cash and savings togetherLn 1–2$5.9M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$10.9M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$4.8M
Other assetsLn 15$221K
Total assetsLn 16$32.8M
LiabilitiesLn 26$10.2M
Net assetsLn 32$22.5M
OperationsPt I, VI
EmployeesI 5129
VolunteersI 64,592
Fiscal year endsHeaderDecember
Conflict-of-interest policyVI 12aYes
Whistleblower policyVI 13Yes
Records policyVI 14Yes
3Year over year
Balance sheet, start vs end of yearPt X · col A, B
LineStart FY23End FY23
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$4.9M$5.9M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$10.2M$10.9M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$3.8M$4.8M
Total assetsLn 16$28.3M$32.8M
LiabilitiesLn 26$9.3M$10.2M
Net assetsLn 32$19.0M$22.5M
4Every line
Statement of functional expensesPt IX · every line
LineTotalProgramsManagementFundraising
Grants to domestic organizationsLn 1$214K$214K
Pay of current officers, directors and key staffLn 5$316K$316K
Other salaries and wagesLn 7$5.1M$4.0M$559K$497K
Pension plan contributionsLn 8$237K$195K$28K$14K
Other employee benefitsLn 9$348K$274K$54K$20K
Payroll taxesLn 10$421K$316K$66K$39K
Investment management feesLn 11f$145K$145K
Other fees for servicesLn 11g$2.8M$1.8M$506K$459K
Advertising and promotionLn 12$4K$4K
Office expensesLn 13$434K$126K$1K$306K
OccupancyLn 16$433K$277K$151K$5K
TravelLn 17$295K$260K$14K$21K
Depreciation, depletion and amortizationLn 22$155K$10K$101K$43K
Other expenses (24a–d)Ln 24$709K$457K$66K$185K
Total functional expensesLn 25$11.6M$8.0M$2.0M$1.6M

Filing history

YearMoney inMoney outIn minus outNet assetsDownload
FY2025 Latest $23.5M$16.1M$7.4M$35.8M 990 PDF
FY2024 $19.4M$14.1M$5.3M$27.5M 990 PDF
FY2023 Viewing $14.6M$11.6M$3.0M$22.5M 990 PDF
FY2022 $12.0M$12.0M−$69K$19.0M 990 PDF
FY2021 $14.5M$13.8M$753K$21.5M 990 PDF
FY2020 $16.9M$14.4M$2.6M$20.5M 990 PDF

More to add? Claim this org

Schedules filed Part IV

III · Programs R · Related orgs G · Fundraising L · Interested persons I · Grants A · Public support M · Noncash J · Pay O · Explanations
See the full FY2023 990 (6 parts)
Part I · Summary $14,574,772 revenue, 12 lines filed
I-8 Contributions and grantsPrior year $6,715,363$8,884,081
I-9 Program service revenuePrior year $4,547,426$4,424,197
I-10 Investment incomePrior year $447,633$1,019,093
I-11 Other revenuePrior year $253,537$247,401
I-12 Total revenuePrior year $11,963,959$14,574,772
I-13 Grants and similar amounts paidPrior year $499,679$214,194
I-14 Benefits paid to membersPrior year $0$0
I-15 Salaries and benefitsPrior year $5,974,434$6,414,346
I-16a Professional fundraising feesPrior year $0$0
I-17 Other expensesPrior year $5,558,695$4,968,762
I-18 Total expensesPrior year $12,032,808$11,597,302
I-19 Revenue less expensesPrior year −$68,849$2,977,470
Part VI · Governance 17 of 17 board members independent, no flags
VI-1a Voting members of the governing body17
VI-1b Independent voting members17
VI-2 Family or business relationship among officers or directorsNo
VI-12a Written conflict of interest policyYes
VI-13 Written whistleblower policyYes
VI-14 Document retention and destruction policyYes
VI-15a Process for setting top official's payYes
Part VIII · Statement of revenue $14,574,772 across 11 lines filed
Lines not itemized here account for $197,835 of total revenue; see the IRS return.
VIII-1b Membership dues$982,211
VIII-1c Fundraising events$19,883
VIII-1f All other contributions, gifts and grants$7,881,987
VIII-1g Noncash contributions (included above)$1,278,591
VIII-1h Total contributions, gifts and grants$8,884,081
VIII-2a-f Program service revenue, itemized rows (sum of 2a–2f as filed)Related to mission $4,424,197$4,424,197
VIII-3 Investment incomeExcluded from tax $286,650$286,650
VIII-7 Net gain or loss on sales of assetsExcluded from tax $732,443$732,443
VIII-8 Net income from fundraising eventsExcluded from tax −$5,405−$5,405
VIII-11a-d Other revenue, itemized rows (sum of 11a–11d as filed)Related to mission $54,971$54,971
VIII-12 Total revenueRelated to mission $4,677,003 · Unrelated business $0 · Excluded from tax $1,013,688$14,574,772
Part IX · Statement of functional expenses $11,597,302 across 14 lines filed
IX-1 Grants to domestic organizationsPrograms $214,194$214,194
IX-5 Pay of current officers, directors and key staffManagement $316,219$316,219
IX-7 Other salaries and wagesPrograms $4,035,389 · Management $559,192 · Fundraising $497,157$5,091,738
IX-8 Pension plan contributionsPrograms $194,847 · Management $27,966 · Fundraising $14,412$237,225
IX-9 Other employee benefitsPrograms $273,604 · Management $53,981 · Fundraising $20,238$347,823
IX-10 Payroll taxesPrograms $316,293 · Management $66,081 · Fundraising $38,967$421,341
IX-11f Investment management feesManagement $145,090$145,090
IX-11g Other fees for servicesPrograms $1,830,718 · Management $505,687 · Fundraising $459,234$2,795,639
IX-12 Advertising and promotionPrograms $4,012$4,012
IX-13 Office expensesPrograms $126,179 · Management $1,487 · Fundraising $305,885$433,551
IX-16 OccupancyPrograms $276,691 · Management $151,332 · Fundraising $4,725$432,748
IX-17 TravelPrograms $260,230 · Management $13,732 · Fundraising $20,656$294,618
IX-22 Depreciation, depletion and amortizationPrograms $10,191 · Management $101,082 · Fundraising $43,288$154,561
IX-24 Other expenses (24a–d)Programs $457,272 · Management $66,381 · Fundraising $184,890$708,543
IX-25 Total functional expensesPrograms $7,999,620 · Management $2,008,230 · Fundraising $1,589,452$11,597,302
Part X · Balance sheet $32,763,705 assets, 18 lines filed
X-1 Cash, non-interest-bearingStart of year $4,383,832$4,233,273
X-2 Savings and temporary cash investmentsStart of year $562,658$1,686,552
X-3 Pledges and grants receivable$959,334
X-4 Accounts receivableStart of year $8,709,404$9,617,906
X-8 Inventories for sale or useStart of year $255,732$234,225
X-9 Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesStart of year $182,802$183,621
X-10c Land, buildings and equipment, netStart of year $3,848,061$4,773,451
X-12 Other securitiesStart of year $10,178,120$10,854,613
X-15 Other assetsStart of year $163,207$220,730
X-16 Total assetsStart of year $28,283,816$32,763,705
X-17 Accounts payable and accrued expensesStart of year $909,205$521,583
X-19 Deferred revenueStart of year $7,999,462$9,244,507
X-25 Other liabilitiesStart of year $418,870$455,217
X-26 Total liabilitiesStart of year $9,327,537$10,221,307
X-27 Net assets without donor restrictionsStart of year $9,368,919$10,535,260
X-28 Net assets with donor restrictionsStart of year $9,587,360$12,007,138
X-32 Total net assets or fund balancesStart of year $18,956,279$22,542,398
X-33 Total liabilities and net assetsStart of year $28,283,816$32,763,705
Part XI · Reconciliation of net assets $22,542,398 net assets at year end
XI-1 Total revenue$14,574,772
XI-2 Total expenses$11,597,302
XI-3 Revenue less expenses$2,977,470
XI-4 Net assets at start of year$18,956,279
XI-5 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments$607,704
XI-9 Other changes in net assets$945
XI-10 Net assets at end of year$22,542,398

Form 990 e-file (XML) FY2023 from the IRS · Classification, formation year and address from the IRS Business Master File

Similar organizations you could support · Compare with another nonprofit

Names, privacy, and removal requests More

The names, titles, and compensation shown on this page are reproduced from IRS Form 990 filings, which are public records.

Philanthropy.org does not alter the content of those filings. All information appears exactly as reported by the filing organization for the tax year shown.

We publish only information contained in the public IRS filing — and less than the filing contains. Our profile pages do not display street addresses, telephone numbers, personal email addresses, or other personal contact information, even where the filing includes them.

Many people share the same name. A name shown on this page reflects only what one organization reported in one IRS filing for one tax year. It should not be interpreted as identifying any other individual with the same or a similar name.

If you are no longer affiliated with the organization, your name will generally stop appearing in future IRS filings once the organization no longer reports you. Pages for tax years in which you were reported remain published because those filings remain part of the public record.

Philanthropy.org does not alter or remove IRS filing records. Removing a page from this website would not remove the underlying IRS filing, which remains publicly available from the IRS and other publishers of the same information.

If you believe the IRS filing itself is inaccurate, corrections must be made by the filing organization or the IRS directly.

Your org? Add context

Made it to the end? Claim this org

All figures are derived from public IRS Form 990 filings and are presented without evaluation of any organization. philanthropy.org does not rate, score, or rank organizations, including the pay comparisons above.