Our Accountability

The C&O Canal Trust is committed to our stakeholders through transparency and accountability, using every dollar you donate to make a lasting impact in the C&O Canal National Historical Park. Our careful stewardship of your financial support is why we receive the highest ratings through entities like Charity Navigator and Candid (formerly Guidestar). As a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the Trust undergoes an annual independent audit to ensure our financial statements are consistent with generally accepted accounting principles. Each year, we publish an annual report, audited financial statements, and 990s. Our latest publications are linked below. During our last fiscal year, the Trust used 87.6% of our resources for our program work and direct support to the Park. The Better Business Bureau’s standards for charity accountability state that an organization should spend a minimum of 65% of its total expenses on program activities. Our donors can be confident that any investment in the Trust is spent in accordance with our mission and donor expectations.