From our inception, the Lewis and Clark Trust has operated without a paid staff or reimbursement of Trustee expenses. Except for the Directors and Officers Insurance and the Federal 990 Tax Report, every investment contribution is used for programs that benefit all people by preserving the Lewis and Clark story and Trail. We receive no operational funds from the National Park Service – Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. If the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail requests our management of a program funded with tax dollars, we would do so but without charging an administrative fee. We are a partner.

Like Lewis and Clark, we expect efficient and effective results from ourselves, contractors, and several partners. A program that does not yield results is truncated. Programs that show a high value return on the investment are expanded. We make every effort to operate as an effective non-profit business. Like a for-profit business, Trustees are selected based on skills, not popular election.