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National Association of Railroad Passengers

EIN 36-2615221 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS IS TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE TO MORE PLACES FOR MORE PEOPLE.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
5.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
4
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$245,472, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 48% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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.

  • 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, 2025, 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. $320,897 spent. SOCIAL BETTERMENT: DIRECT CONTACT WITH PASSENGER RAILROAD MANAGEMENT, LEGISLATORS, AND OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND SERVICES WE DEEM MOST FAVORABLE TO THE INTERESTS OF RAIL PASSENGERS AND (IN A FEW CASES) HELPING TO RESOLVE PASSENGER COMPLAINTS WITH AMTRAK MANAGEMENT. WE SUBMITTED STATEMENTS FOR THE RECORD OF VARIOUS CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS (INCLUDING THE APPROPRIATE HOUSE AND SENATE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEES) AND TESTIFIED AT AUTHORIZATION AND/OR OVERSIGHT HEARINGS AT THE REQUEST OF LEGISLATORS, TO ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MORE BALANCED U.S. TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.
  2. $296,212 spent. EDUCATION: COMMUNICATE WITH OUR MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC THROUGH NEWS MEDIA, PAMPHLETS, WEEKLY ONLINE RAIL NEWS SUMMARY, WEBSITE AND PUBLIC MEETINGS REGARDING PASSENGER OPERATIONS, SERVICES, ROUTES AND SCHEDULES AND PROPOSED CHANGES THERETO; CURRENT AND PROPOSED RAIL PASSENGER LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS, AND POLICIES; PASSENGER RAILROAD MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL ISSUES; SPECIFIC SERVICE-RELATED QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS OF OUR MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
  3. $205,703 spent. RESEARCH: CONTINUING RESEARCH REGARDING RAIL PASSENGER OPERATIONS, SERVICES, ROUTES AND SCHEDULES, AND PROPOSED CHANGES THERETO; CURRENT AND PROPOSED PASSENGER LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS, AND POLICIES; PASSENGER RAILROAD MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL ISSUES; AND SPECIFIC SERVICE-RELATED QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS OF OUR MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.

    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 September 1992.

    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.