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Connecticut Electric Railway Association Incorporated

EIN 06-6070002 · East Windsor, CT

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE ARE A TROLLEY MUSEUM. WE PROVIDE AN HISTORICALLY ACCURATE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE OF THE TROLLEY ERA THROUGH INTERPRETATION, PRESERVATION, RESTORATION AND OPERATION OF AN ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

Income
$531,162
Spending
$631,961
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
7.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 60%
Employees
13
Volunteers
110

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $344,633 spent. EDUCATION: TO OPERATE AND DISPLAY TROLLEY CARS AND RELATED EQUIPMENT WITH THE PURPOSE OF EDUCATING ALL AGES ABOUT THIS HISTORIC ERA. OVER 100 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER TIME IS SPENT EACH WEEK BETWEEN APRIL AND DECEMBER IN THE OPERATION OF VINTAGE TROLLEYS BY MOTORMEN DRESSED IN PERIOD ATTIRE. MOTORMEN ALSO DELIVER A MINI LECTURE ON THE HISTORY OF TROLLEY CARS AND THEIR ROLE IN OUR COUNTRY'S GROWTH IN THE LATE 19TH CENTURY AND EARLY 20TH CENTURY. ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEER RESOURCES ARE DEPLOYED IN THE VISITOR'S CENTER UPDATING DISPLAYS AND PREPARING FOR OUR KEY EVENTS (PUMPKIN PATCH, RAILS TO THE DARKSIDE, AND WINTERFEST).
  2. $35,926 spent. RESTORATION: TO RESTORE TROLLEYS AND RELATED EQUIPMENT FROM THE TROLLEY ERA. THE MUSEUM HAS A RESTORATION AND MAINTENANCE SHOP ON ITS CAMPUS. THE CURRENT PROJECT IS A MULTI-YEAR GROUND UP RESTORATION OF CONNECTICUT CAR 3001 WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE LARGELY COMPLETED IN DECEMBER 2024.
  3. $71,384 spent. PRESERVATION: TO PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN VINTAGE TROLLEY CARS AND RELATED EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING TRACK, SIGNALS, OVERHEAD WIRING AND STORAGE FACILITIES. OUR YOUNGEST TROLLEY CAR IS 100 YEARS OLD. THE OLDEST OPERATING TROLLEY IS OVER 120 YEARS OLD. WITH SAFETY BEING A PARAMOUNT CONCERN, MAINTAINING TROLLEYS AND ALL THE RELATED EQUIPMENT IS AN ON-GOING PROCESS. PARTS THAT NEED REPLACING MUST BE EITHER FABRICATED ON-SITE OR SOURCED FROM OTHER MUSEUMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1959.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.