The Backcountry Charitable Trust
The Backcountry Charitable Trust is a private foundation, based in Austin, TX. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $4.5M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 8 grants totaling $627K. Net investment income was $790K.
The Backcountry Charitable Trust at a glance
In short: The Backcountry Charitable Trust gave $627K across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $78K), mostly in Utah. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $626,952
- -5.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- +100.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $78,369
- -53.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $37,500
- Total assets
- $4,496,709
- +3.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Utah (66% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Backcountry Charitable Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was USA Nordic Sport ($415K). Together the top 8 received $627K.
Grant Size Distribution
32 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 12 grants of 32 (38%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Backcountry Charitable Trust gives
- Giving fell 28% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 109% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $335K (2023) to $869K (2022). In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $627K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| USA Nordic Sport Park City, UT | General | $414,952 |
| Innerscience Research Fund Yelm, WA | General | $72,000 |
| Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression Philadelphia, PA | General | $50,000 |
| Nuclear Threat Initiative Washington, DC | General | $50,000 |
| Let It Grow New York, NY | General | $25,000 |
| St Stephens Episcopal School Austin, TX | General | $5,000 |
| Nansen Ski Club Berlin, NH | General | $5,000 |
| CASA Montessori CDC Inc Austin, TX | General | $5,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,496,709 | $823,878 | $688,567 | $626,952 | 8 | $633,151 | $790,089 | $581,546 |
| 2024 | $4,361,398 | $774,011 | $706,807 | $666,300 | 4 | $671,853 | $920,928 | $515,086 |
| 2023 | $4,294,194 | $240,342 | $386,885 | $335,000 | 5 | $339,505 | $214,110 | $430,944 |
| 2022 | $4,440,737 | $-248,918 | $915,888 | $868,500 | 5 | $868,500 | $990,228 | $434,535 |
| 2021 | $5,605,543 | $2,271,513 | $631,479 | $586,137 | 10 | $591,188 | $747,483 | $479,897 |
| 2020 | $3,965,509 | $338,296 | $763,345 | $721,271 | 5 | — | $593,784 | $356,548 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Backcountry Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $582K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Backcountry Charitable Trust's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
James H. Holland
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph J. Holland
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Backcountry Charitable Trust
How much does The Backcountry Charitable Trust give each year?
The Backcountry Charitable Trust gave $627K across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $666K across 4 grants.
What is The Backcountry Charitable Trust's typical grant size?
The Backcountry Charitable Trust's median grant in 2025 was $37,500, and its average grant was $78,369, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Backcountry Charitable Trust give grants?
The Backcountry Charitable Trust gives mostly in Utah: 66% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Washington (11%) and Pennsylvania (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Austin, TX (2 grants).
Does The Backcountry Charitable Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Backcountry Charitable Trust's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Backcountry Charitable Trust's largest grantees?
The Backcountry Charitable Trust's largest 2025 grantees include USA Nordic Sport ($414,952), Innerscience Research Fund ($72,000) and Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 86% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Backcountry Charitable Trust?
The Backcountry Charitable Trust reported $4.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $633K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $582K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Backcountry Charitable Trust's EIN?
The Backcountry Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-1214808. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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