American Battlefield Trust

“As defined in the Trust's By-laws, the Executive Committee shall consist of the Board Chair, all Board Vice Chairs, the immediate Past Chair, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and the chairs of the standing committees. The Board may also elect additional Trustees to the Executive Committee. In addition, the President of the Trust shall serve as a non-voting member of the Executive Committee.”

“Audit Committee and Executive Committee Members, President, COO, CFO and Key Employees review the 990 initially. If any corrections need to be made, the auditing firm is notified. After the corrections, the 990 is then distributed to the whole Board of Trustees before the 990 is filed either in paper or electronic form.”

“The conflict of interest policy is provided in a Trustee Orientation Manual given to new Trustees shortly after they are elected to the Board and they are asked to return a signed acknowledgment of receipt. In addition, Trust staff working with Trustees, landowners, grantors, and other parties involved in a prospective land transaction are required to look for and avoid any conflicts of interest or the appearance of such. That requirement is documented in an internal control procedure, which the Trust's Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is responsible for administering and has full authority to enforce. The CAO will elevate matters to the Trust President who may also involve the Chair of the Board if needed. Corrective measures may include up to and including termination of employment, office, or board membership. Trustees are also required to sign an acknowledgement of receipt of the conflict of interest policy every two years, under the oversight and enforcement of the Board's Governance Committee.”

“American Battlefield Trust will use comparability data and pay salaries that are competitive with those paid for comparable positions in other Non-Profit Organizations. Each employee's salary is reviewed annually. Salary adjustments, if any will be discussed at this time as well. Salary adjustments will be prepared and recommendations will be made at the time the budget is presented to the Board. If approved, they will become effective at the President's discretion. The President's compensation is determined by the Board Chair and Vice-Chair and reviewed by the Executive Committee.”

“Copies of the governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements will be provided upon request to the public. Our audited financials and Form 990 are on the American Battlefield Trust website.”

“Jim Lighthizer received 2024 W2 as part of his deferred compensation payout.”

“The American Battlefield Trust preserves America's hallowed battlegrounds and educates the public about what happened there and why it matters. The purpose of the American Battlefield Trust is to inspire appreciation of America, its history, and its promise of liberty through an understanding of the wars fought on its soil, and of the sacrifices of earlier generations of Americans.”

“Land Preservation: Through acquisitions and grants, the American Battlefield Trust completed 37 individual transactions, protecting a total of 983.4 acres at 27 battlefields in 9 states during the fiscal year. This includes Antietam, MD; Bentonville, NC; Brandy Station, VA; Breakthrough, VA; Champion Hill, MS; Chattanooga, TN; Chickasaw Bayou, MS; Cold Harbor, VA; Corinth, MS; Deep Bottom II, VA; Fort Blakely, AL; Franklin, TN; Fredericksburg, VA; Gettysburg, PA; Glendale, VA; Goldsborough Bridge, NC; Nashville/Fort Negley, TN; Kernstown, VA; Malvern Hill, VA; Manassas, VA; Munfordville, KY; New Market, VA; New Market Heights, VA; Shiloh, TN; Stones River, TN; Newtown, NY; and Sackets Harbor, NY.”

“Membership: The American Battlefield Trust is a membership-based organization with approximately 46,500 active members from all 50 states, and more than a dozen territories and other nations. Each quarter, every member receives our 48-page magazine, Hallowed Ground, as a free educational membership benefit. The magazine highlights how their direct support helps preserve endangered Civil War and Revolutionary War battlefield land, advances the cause of education about this key period in our Nation's history, and educates them directly on historical elements of importance about the Nation's first 100 years, and land preservation. The Trust relies on its members and supporters to help fulfill its battlefield preservation and education missions each year through their contributions, as well as additional charitable gifts. The Trust also has a major donor society, as a subset of its overall membership, called the Color Bearers, comprised of those members who make membership payments of $1,000 or more annually. Total membership in this group was approximately 1,700 members at the end of the fiscal year. The Trust also recognizes those nearly 1,700 members who have also made a planned gift to preservation in a special group called the Honor Guard. Further, the Trust enjoys the support of more than 484,000 followers on Facebook, 461,000 on YouTube, 49,000 on X (formerly Twitter), 41,100 on Instagram, and 7,800 on LinkedIn, and more than 40,000 on other social networks, opening new pools of potential future supporters.”

“Education: This fiscal year, the Education Department held its 24th Annual National Teacher Institute and fifth annual Virtual Teacher Institute and registered some 1,240 educators from more than 45 states for these professional development experiences, offered free of charge. The Education Department expanded its many video offerings with more than 180 new videos, including our award-winning Step Into History and Animated Maps series. Our Field Trip Fund serviced more than 12,000 students and chaperones, while our Civil War and Revolutionary War Traveling Trunks engaged with more than 29,000 students across the United States. Department staff and contractors also installed new battlefield signage, produced more than 200 new web articles and launched new lessons for teachers.”