National Links Trust

What it reported doing in 2024

National links trust (nlt) operates three municipal golf courses in Washington, dc: east potomac golf links, langston golf course and rock creek park golf. These properties generate revenue through regular golf course operations; however, as part of the organization's mission to provide accessible, affordable golf to local communities, the rates are well below market value. To better serve the community of golfers in Washington, dc, nlt invested in course improvement projects including: a. Continued improvement of course conditions through improved agronomic practices.b. Significant planning, consultation, design, and refinement of future plans for large-scale capital improvement projects at the three courses to transform them into true community assets that benefit both golfers and non-golfers in the community.c. Implementation of an adaptive management approach to removing invasive vegetation and the beginning of site work at rock creek park golf ahead of a large-scale capital improvement project at the course.d. Execution of a full restoration and renovation of east potomac miniature golf - the nation's oldest continuously operating miniature golf course.the jack vardaman workforce development program was conducted at langston golf course where thirty adolescents and young adults were taught valuable job and life skills while earning an income and building eligibility for college scholarship. In 2024, the program produced its first 'evans scholar' - a recipient of a full housing and tuition college grant through a partnership with the western golf association. The bancroft gordon memorial scholarship was also created, funded, and awarded by nlt and presented to three students who excelled in the program in 2024.2024 marked the beginning of "free lesson fridays", a community event series targeted at introducing local Washington, dc community members of all backgrounds to the game of golf. The program saw more than 300 participants across six events. Through strategic partnerships, dedicated maintenance practices, and a growing community of volunteers, nlt continued its commitment to long-term environmental sustainability at the three courses. In 2024, nlt mobilized a robust volunteer network to execute more than 1,650-man hours dedicated to environmental sustainability projects. Projects included removing trash from the facilities and their surrounding environments and restoring native habitat through invasive vegetation removal.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 74.5%; rating input score 75
• Program expense ratio: 91%; rating input score 91
• Fundraising efficiency: $5.72 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 23; 23rd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 2 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 33
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 84.2%; rating input score 84; 18th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 6 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 25.5%; rating input score 86; 86th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.64; rating input score 54; 54th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.21; rating input score 57; 57th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 3.8%; rating input score 61; 61st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 32.7% per year; rating input score 100; 96th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 31.1% per year; rating input score 100; 96th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 29.3% per year; rating input score 100; 96th percentile among comparable filings