Balsam Mountain Trust

EIN: 562217688 501(c)(3) Environment

Sylva, NC

Total Revenue
$570,078
Total Expenses
$470,014
Total Assets
$1,283,963
Net Assets
$1,283,638
🔒

Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

4 risk indicators measuring financial stability and operational resilience

Sign in with your work email to view Tuckman-Chang indicators

Sign In — Free (10 views/day)

Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
2000
Legal Domicile
NC
Principal Officer
Michael Wall
Phone
8286311060
Tax Period
2025-01-01 to 2025-12-31

Balsam Mountain Trust, founded in 2000, is a small nonprofit in the Environment sector that reported $570K in total revenue in fiscal year 2025. Revenue surged 41% from the prior year, signaling strong growth momentum. The organization ran a surplus of $100K, a strong 18% operating margin.

Mission

The mission of the Balsam Mountain Trust is the stewardship of the natural and cultural resources on Balsam Mountain Preserve and the southern Blue Ridge Mountain region, achieved through effective land management practices, scientific research and environmental education. The Balsam Mountain Trust inspires people to be responsible stewards of the natural and cultural resources of the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains through education and conservation leadership.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $81,507 Revenue: $0

The Trust continues its efforts to monitor and improve the ecosystem health of the Balsam Mountain Preserve. One of our highest priorities is to maintain the integrity of the health of the Balsam...

Read more

The Trust continues its efforts to monitor and improve the ecosystem health of the Balsam Mountain Preserve. One of our highest priorities is to maintain the integrity of the health of the Balsam Mountain conservation easement lands. Highlights of 2025 include the cataloging of 57 bird species in the third year of a three-year survey, continued removal of multiflora rose from on the Preserves natural heritage sites, treatment of 33 hemlock trees on the Preserve to fight the invasive wooly adelgid, and a completion of a resurvey and recommended management interventions for a natural heritage area.

Program 2
Expenses: $118,185 Revenue: $0

The Trust continues to develop and present environmental education programs to thousands of students and lifelong learners. Since its founding, the Trust has reached over 100,000 program...

Read more

The Trust continues to develop and present environmental education programs to thousands of students and lifelong learners. Since its founding, the Trust has reached over 100,000 program participants. The Trusts partnership with AmeriCorps continued in 2025 with program presentations to schools in Jackson, Haywood, Macon, and Swain Counties. Our outreach also included monthly interpretive hikes at Pinnacle Park, monthly programs at the Sylva Library, and hosting WNC Birdfest in Dillsboro.

Program 3
Expenses: $85,581 Revenue: $6,031

The Trusts Nature Center continues to be well received by the public, while housing our collection of ambassador animals used in outreach programming. In 2025, we hosted several school groups, art...

Read more

The Trusts Nature Center continues to be well received by the public, while housing our collection of ambassador animals used in outreach programming. In 2025, we hosted several school groups, art meets science crafting classes and supported undergraduate researchers and classes for Western Caroling University and UNC-Asheville. 2025 saw the completion of our primary bird enclosure and the creation of a landscaping master plan.

🔒

Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

Sign in to view Trantor Score and financial metrics

Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

Sign In — Free (10 views/day)

Financial Overview (2025)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $541,222
Program Service Revenue $6,031
Investment Income $22,825
Other Revenue $0
TOTAL REVENUE $570,078

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $0
Salaries & Benefits $293,816
Fundraising Expenses $92,813
Program Expenses $285,273
Other Expenses $176,198
TOTAL EXPENSES $470,014

Year-over-Year Comparison

2025 2024 Change
Revenue $570,078 $405,499 +0.4%
Expenses $470,014 $384,348 +0.2%
Net Income $100,064 $21,151 +3.7%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
🔒

Financial Health Indicators

Comprehensive financial analysis: Altman Z-Score, liquidity, solvency, sustainability, efficiency, and growth metrics

Financial Distress Indicator

Liquidity & Cash Position

Sign in to view all financial metrics

Altman Z-Score • Liquidity Ratios • Solvency Analysis • Growth Indicators • Efficiency Metrics

Sign In

Governance

Voting Members
10
Independent Members
10
Employees
8
Volunteers
25

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
1
$108,750
Total Directors
7
$0
Key Employees
1
$108,750
Highest Compensated
1
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
Michael Wall Executive Director 40.00
Officer Key Emp Highest
$108,750 $0 $108,750
Joel Bradley Chair/Acting Treasurer 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Mary Edmonson Vice Chair 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Sabrina Watkins Secretary 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
John Morse Trustee 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Sally Halvey Trustee 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Will Gandy Trustee 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Robert Moore Trustee 0.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 $570,078 $470,014 $1,283,963 $100,064
2024 $405,499 $384,348 $1,187,138 $21,151
2023 $449,949 $350,263 $1,194,488 $99,686
2022 $394,392 $344,168 $1,094,665 $50,224
2021 $367,506 $241,149 $1,045,500 $126,357
2020 $253,426 $222,568 $919,989 $30,858
Explore More Nonprofits
Top 100 Nonprofits in North Carolina Largest U.S. Nonprofits Best Rated Nonprofits Most Efficient Nonprofits

Compare Balsam Mountain Trust with other nonprofits in North Carolina and across the country.