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Friends of the New York Transit Museum

EIN 11-3299408 · Brooklyn, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SUPPORT THE NEW YORK TRANSIT MUSEUM'S COLLECTIONS AND EXHIBITIONS AND PRESERVE THE HISTORY, SOCIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY OF PUBLIC TRANSIT IN THE NEW YORK METROPOLITAN AREA. IN ADDITION, SUPPORT THE MUSEUM'S ARCHIVAL, CURATORIAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND RESTORATION PROJECTS.

Income
$4.1 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Spent on programs
57%
Reserves
52.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 39%
Employees
72
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$133,689, director of development

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 52.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 64% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    57% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (1)
  1. $1.9 million spent. THE FRIENDS OF THE NEW YORK TRANSIT MUSEUM'S MAIN PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT THE MUSEUM INCLUDED:1. NOSTALGIA RIDES OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES TO RIDE OUR BELOVED VINTAGE FLEET OF TRAINS TO DESTINATIONS ALL OVER THE CITY. HOLIDAY THEME TRAIN EXHIBIT IN THE MUSEUM.2. HOLIDAY-THEMED TRAIN EXHIBIT ALLOWS EVERYONE OF ALL AGES TO EXPLORE OUR FESTIVE HOLIDAY-THEMED TRAIN EXHIBIT AT THE MUSEUM, CELEBRATING THE RICH HERITAGE OF TRANSPORTATION IN A SEASONAL SETTING.3. OUR EDUCATIONAL TOURS INVITE SCHOOL GROUPS TO EXPLORE THE MUSEUM'S INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS, WHERE THEY CAN LEARN HOW TRANSPORTATION HAS SHAPED NEW YORK CITY FROM ITS EARLY DAYS TO THE PRESENT.

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 February 1996.

    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.