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Passes our checks

Railroading Heritage of Midwest America Inc

EIN 41-1723120 · Blaine, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

RHMA PROMOTES PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE HISTORY OF RAILROADING IN THE MIDWEST BY PRESERVING, RESTORING, OPERATING AND INTERPRETING HISTORIC LOCOMOTIVES AND RAIL CARS.

Income
$4.1 million
Spending
$4.1 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
21.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
7
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$116,258, president

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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 54% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% 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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 6 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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. $4.0 million spent. PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE THE PRESERVATION, MAINTENANCE, AND DISPLAY OF HISTORIC LOCOMOTIVES AND ROLLING STOCK, OPERATION OF LOCOMOTIVES AND COACHES FOR PUBLIC EXCURSIONS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, AND YOUTH TRAINING PROGRAMS. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE VISITED THE HISTORIC COACHES AT THE PERMANENT HOME SITE IN MINNEAPOLIS. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION OFFERED SCENIC EXCURSIONS AROUND THE MIDWEST AND THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THE "WINDY-CITY EXPRESS" ROUNDTRIPS FROM ST. PAUL TO CHICAGO. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE VISITED AND OBSERVED THE BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED HISTORIC LOCOMOTIVE, SKYTOP AND SUPERDOME, AND SOME HISTORIC BUSINESS AND BAGGAGE CARS WHILE AT STOPS ON THE EXCURSIONS.

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 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 April 1997.

    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.