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Great Northern Railway Historical Society

EIN 34-1378762 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong94 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HISTORIC RESEARCH PRESERVATION AND EDUCATION FOCUSED ON THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY INCLUDING A QUARTERLY SCHOLARLY JOURNAL AND OPERATION OF ARCHIVAL FACILITY.

Income
$123,691
Spending
$110,232
Reserves
38.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 54%

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

Financial health

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 38.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

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

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 (4)
  1. $50,959 spent. PUBLISH QUARTERLY JOURNAL COVERING HISTORY AND OPERATIONS OF THE FORMER GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY
  2. $7,000 spent. PROVIDE FUNDING TO OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS FOR PROJECTS CONSISTENT WITH GNRHS HISTORICAL PRESERVATION RESEARCH AND EDUCATION GOALS
  3. $35,600 spent. OPERATE ANNUAL CONVENTION FEATURING PRESENTATIONS OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH AND TOURS OF LOCAL HISTORICAL SITES.
  4. $415 spent. OPERATE ARCHIVAL FACILITIES IN ST PAUL MN AND BURIEN WA AND ASSOCIATED WEBSITES AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Source: Form 990EZ 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1984.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.