Rails to Trails Conservancy
Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) is a public charity based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to build a nation connected by trails, reimagining public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk, bike and be active outdoors. RTC supports trail development and works to connect trail networks across the country.
Rails to Trails Conservancy at a glance
In short: Rails to Trails Conservancy gave $707K across 35 grants in 2025 (avg $20K), top state New Jersey. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $707,390
- +7.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 35
- +2.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $20,211
- +4.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,290
- Total assets
- $23,044,292
- +1.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- New Jersey (25% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Rails to Trails Conservancy
- Review Cycle
- The 2026 application deadline was May 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. RTC states that this application window is closed.
- Deadline
- The 2026 application deadline was May 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2445 M St Nw 650, Washington, DC 20037
Phone: (202) 331-9696
Website: https://railstotrails.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Rails to Trails Conservancy funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was New Jersey Bike Walk Coalition ($180K). Together the top 10 received $455K.
Grant Size Distribution
141 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 133 grants of 141 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
RTC describes its grant program as supporting trail projects across the United States. In filing-year 2025 grants, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were New Jersey (25%), Wisconsin (12%), Pennsylvania (7%), North Carolina (7%) and New Hampshire (6%). Reported awards also went to recipients in states including California, Alabama, Ohio, Montana, Wyoming, Alaska and Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 35 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Rails to Trails Conservancy gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $358K (2021) to $1.5M (2020). In 2025 it made 35 grants totaling $707K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Bike Walk Coalition Montclair, NJ | Trail Development | $180,000 |
| 30TH Street Industrial Corridor Corp Milwaukee, WI | Trail Development | $77,000 |
| Hace Philadelphia, PA | Trail Development | $35,000 |
| New Hampshire Snowmobile Association Tilton, NH | Trail Development | $27,600 |
| East Bay Regional Park District Oakland, CA | Trail Development | $25,000 |
| Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa Inc Swannanoa, NC | Trail Development | $25,000 |
| Friends of the Market Inc Birmingham, AL | Community Engagement | $25,000 |
| Harrison County Commissioners Cadiz, OH | Trail Development | $20,000 |
| Park County Montana Livingston, MT | Trail Development | $20,000 |
| Wyoming Pathways Lander, WY | Capacity Building | $20,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $23,044,292 | $13,289,625 | $14,131,877 | $707,390 | 35 | $673,110 |
| 2024 | $22,824,509 | $14,740,431 | $13,989,120 | $656,500 | 34 | $915,551 |
| 2023 | $20,326,477 | $11,711,163 | $12,950,447 | $393,000 | 23 | $310,673 |
| 2022 | $16,243,959 | $14,519,472 | $12,120,757 | $367,556 | 19 | $195,976 |
| 2021 | $15,330,123 | $14,609,450 | $11,018,150 | $357,500 | 30 | $117,539 |
| 2020 | $12,735,787 | $10,479,494 | $10,904,803 | $1,518,740 | 7 | $206,530 |
| 2019 | $11,096,956 | $10,247,858 | $10,461,891 | $411,668 | 17 | $244,165 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
RTC’s grant program supports organizations at different levels, including local and national nonprofits and public agencies, with a focus on community-based leadership, engagement and long-term impact. The program supports trail and trail-network projects intended to expand access. For the 2026 funding cycle, eligible activities included planning, construction, improvement and maintenance of U.S. trails and trail networks; operational support and programmatic activities were not eligible.
The 2025 grants listed in RTC’s filing included trail development, community engagement and capacity building. Grantee missions illustrate the range of organizations supported: Wyoming Pathways says it works to improve people-powered transportation and recreation opportunities in Wyoming communities, while Anchorage Park Foundation says it mobilizes public support and financial resources for parks, trails and recreation. Catawba Lands Conservancy describes its work as conserving and managing land for public benefit and facilitating a network of greenways, trails and blueways.
Grantmaking
For filing year 2025, RTC reported 35 grants totaling $707,390. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $180,000, with a median of $10,290. The largest grants included $180,000 to New Jersey Bike Walk Coalition for trail development, $77,000 to 30th Street Industrial Corridor Corp for trail development, and $35,000 to HACE for trail development. Other reported awards included $27,600 to New Hampshire Snowmobile Association for trail development and $25,000 to Friends of the Market for community engagement.
RTC separately reported awarding 40 Trail Grants totaling $398,000 in its 2025 grantee announcement. These are program-announcement figures and differ from the filing-year grant figures above.
For the 2026 Trail Grants cycle, RTC required an online application. Eligible applicants included nonprofit organizations, state, regional, local or tribal government agencies, and other organizations; private individuals and companies could not apply. Only one application per group or agency was accepted. Projects had to serve or plan to serve multiple user types, demonstrate a commitment to equitable trail access, be initiated by September 2027, and have the applicant join the TrailNation Collaborative.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Edward Chang as chair, Noel Kegel as vice chair, Ayesha McGowan as secretary and Douglas Monieson as treasurer. Listed board members were Ajoa Abrokwa (from February 2025), Balaji Bondili, James Brainard, Jon Cofsky and Mark Filippell. John Friedmann was listed as a board member until February 2025.
Rails to Trails Conservancy is led by Ryan Chao, President on every filing since 2020; 7 of 28 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ryan Chao
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$254K (2020) → $318K (2025)
Edward Chang
Chair
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brandi Horton
Vice President of Communications
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$137K (2019) → $180K (2025)
Cynthia Dickerson
Chief Operating Officer
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$166K (2019) → $212K (2025)
Elizabeth Thorstensen
Vice President of Trail Development
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$157K (2019) → $176K (2025)
Kevin Mills
Vice President of Policy
Senior Vice President of Policy → Vice President of Policy, 2023
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$152K (2019) → $188K (2025)
Alisa Borland
Vice President of Development
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$117K (2020) → $175K (2025)
Frederick Schaedtler
CTO
CTO → Chief Technology Officer, 2022
Chief Technology Officer → CTO, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$120K (2021) → $185K (2025)
Gail Lipstein
Board Member
Secretary → Board Member, 2020
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James F. Sallis
Board Member
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jon Cofsky
Board Member
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Filippell
Board Member
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Noel Kegel
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tim Petri
Board Member
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vanessa Garrison
Board Member
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ayesha McGowan
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Brainard
Board Member
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Juliette Rizzo
Board Member
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Balaji Bondili
Board Member
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Sloss Jones
Board Member
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Rodriguez
Board Member
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Friedmann
Board Member
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
M. Katherine Kraft
Board Member
Board Member → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Douglas Monieson
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marvin Plakut
Board Member
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Lynn
Board Member
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ajoa Abrokwa
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew McCormick
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (19)
- Former: Frank Mulvey (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: John Rathbone (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Tim Noel (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jim Sallis (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Doug Monieson (2019–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Rebecca Riley (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Rose Mz Gowen (2019–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Joe Barrow Jr. (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Guy O. Williams (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Katherine Kraft (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Keith Laughlin (2019–2020) — Former President
- Former: Marianne Fowler (2019–2020) — Senior Strategist Policy Advocacy
- Former: Charlie Marshall (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Jim Brainard (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Arion Ryan Chao (2019) — President
- Former: Charles Marshall (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Chip Angle (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Joseph Barrow (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Mary O'Connor (2019) — Vice President of Dvlpt & Prtnrsp
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $318K, to Ryan Chao (President). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Rails to Trails Conservancy
How much does Rails to Trails Conservancy give each year?
Rails to Trails Conservancy gave $707K across 35 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $657K across 34 grants.
What is Rails to Trails Conservancy's typical grant size?
Rails to Trails Conservancy's median grant in 2025 was $10,290, and its average grant was $20,211, across 35 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Rails to Trails Conservancy give grants?
Rails to Trails Conservancy's top state is New Jersey, with 25% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Wisconsin (12%) and Pennsylvania (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Baltimore, MD (3 grants), Milwaukee, WI (2 grants), Philadelphia, PA (2 grants) and Oakland, CA (2 grants).
Does Rails to Trails Conservancy give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 35 grants with a stated purpose on Rails to Trails Conservancy's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Trail Development" (19 grants), "Trail Policy Advocacy" (9 grants) and "Community Engagement" (5 grants).
Who are Rails to Trails Conservancy's largest grantees?
Rails to Trails Conservancy's largest 2025 grantees include New Jersey Bike Walk Coalition ($180,000), 30TH Street Industrial Corridor Corp ($77,000) and Hace ($35,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 41% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Rails to Trails Conservancy?
Rails to Trails Conservancy reported $23.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $13.3M.
What does Rails to Trails Conservancy fund?
RTC’s grant program supports organizations at different levels, including local and national nonprofits and public agencies, with a focus on community-based leadership, engagement and long-term impact. The program supports trail and trail-network projects intended to expand access. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Rails to Trails Conservancy?
Rails to Trails Conservancy has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check railstotrails.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Rails to Trails Conservancy's EIN?
Rails to Trails Conservancy's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1437006. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 11, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 20, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 18, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Rails to Trails Conservancy funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/rails-to-trails-conservancy-morg_c8c0e6f7bd8a44abae5b26f636177f0a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_521437006_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Rails to Trails Conservancy funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/rails-to-trails-conservancy-morg_c8c0e6f7bd8a44abae5b26f636177f0a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Rails to Trails Conservancy's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Rails to Trails Conservancy down — hundreds of funders to go?