Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC)

What it reported doing in 2024

Conservation Research and Policy - The Appalachian Mountain Club (the AMC) actively fosters the protection, enjoyment and understanding of the outdoors. The AMC's Research and Policy Program conducts analyses of natural ecosystems to guide our efforts to protect natural and recreational resources from Maine to Virginia. This includes studying changes in land cover and land use and the impact of these changes on ecological and recreational resources; monitoring air quality and climate change impacts on Northeastern mountain ecosystems; analyzing in-stream flow criteria and hydroelectric dam operation impacts on river ecosystems and recreational resources; developing methods to reduce recreational user impacts on the region's*Refer to Schedule O, Pages 46-47 for Continuation*Conservation Research and Policy (Continued): mountains and trails; and studying the benefits and impacts of different transportation options and energy sources, including renewable energy, on the ecosystems of concern to the AMC. Achievements are exemplified by the development and successful implementation of the recovery plan for an alpine plant formerly listed on the federal endangered species list, publication of a national award winning "Ecological Atlas of the Upper Androscoggin Watershed", adoption by states of elements of AMC's wind power and solar siting guidelines and AMC's successful citizen science mountain monitoring program, Northeast Alpine Flower Watch and Flower and Fauna of the White Mountain National Forest.The AMC's Research and Policy program also works with conservation partners and local communities to build grassroots support for priority conservation projects. The Research and Policy Program participates in and comments on formal resource management programs and decisions at the local, state, and federal level; consults with industry and landowners to find equitable solutions to environmental problems; advocates for state and federal land protection, clean air, climate and energy policies, and trails funding, and facilitates member and public participation in local, state and federal environmental issues and policy. AMC's strategy for land conservation in the 100-Mile Wilderness region in Maine includes addressing regional ecological and economic needs through outdoor recreation, resource protection, sustainable forestry and community partnerships.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 77.4%; rating input score 77
• Program expense ratio: 75.5%; rating input score 76
• Fundraising efficiency: $7.25 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 30; 30th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 94.1%; rating input score 94; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 0%; rating input score 0; 4th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Scored; rating input score 0

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 95.2%; rating input score 95; 28th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 4.6%; rating input score 52; 52nd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 5.31; rating input score 85; 85th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.05; rating input score 82; 82nd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 6.8%; rating input score 37; 37th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 3.9% per year; rating input score 100; 33rd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 4.8% per year; rating input score 100; 42nd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 4.8% per year; rating input score 100; 33rd percentile among comparable filings