Lionel Operating Train Society Inc
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
PROMOTING THE MODEL TRAIN HOBBY BY ENCOURAGING THE ENJOYMENT AND OPERATION OF LIONEL ELECTRIC TRAINS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON HISTORIC AND MODERN TRAIN OPERATIONS. TOWARD THIS MISSION, THE ORGANIZATION HOLDS AN ANNUAL CONVENTION.
- Income
- $194,252
- Spending
- $206,720
- Employees
- 0
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- $46,495 spent. CLUB OFFERS TO ITS MEMBERS AN ANNUAL COMMERATIVE MODEL TRAINS CARS AND LOCOMOTIVES
- $42,031 spent. THE ANNUAL CONVENTION HAS FEATURED LOTS OF OPERATING LAYOUTS, TOY TRAIN VIDEOS, MODELING CONTESTS, MAINTENANCE CLINICS, TABLE SALES OF TRAINS AND TRAIN RELATED MERCHANDISE, TRAIN DRAG RACES, OUTSTANDING HOME LAYOUT TOURS AND SPECIAL EXCURSIONS.
- $30,328 spent. PUBLICATION OF SWITCHER WHICH IS A BI MONTHLY JOURNAL,INCLUDING TRACK CHANGES FOR BUYING AND SELLING TRAIN ITEMS. ROSTER IS PUBLISHED ANNUALLY.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(7) social or recreational club.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(7) social or recreational club as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 1983.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.