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East Troy Railroad Museum Inc

EIN 51-0174355 · East Troy, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceWeak47 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A NOT-FOR-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL CORPORATION DEDICATED TO ENGAGING VISITORS IN THE HERITAGE OF ELECTRIC INTERURBAN RAILWAYS AND TROLLEY SYSTEMS THROUGH RESTORATION, PRESERVATION AND OPERATION OF HISTORIC EQUIPMENT.

Income
$865,158
Spending
$689,629
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
31.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 58%
Employees
3
Volunteers
139

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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 31.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% 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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    6 of 14 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $552,224 spent. OUR MISSION IS TO ENGAGE VISITORS IN THE HERITAGE OF ELECTRIC INTERURBAN RAILWAYS AND TROLLEY SYSTEMS THROUGH RESTORATION, PRESERVATION AND OPERATION OF HISTORIC EQUIPMENT. WE DELIVER THIS MISSION BY PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL TRAIN RIDES STAFFED BY CONDUCTORS OR CAR HOSTS WHO EXPLAIN THE HISTORY OF OUR RAILROAD LINE, THE BENEFITS THIS LINE BROUGHT TO THE COMMUNITIES ALONG THE LINE, AND THE MAJOR ROLE THAT RAILROADS AND ELECTRIC INTERURBAN SYSTEMS PLAYED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. PASSENGERS TRAVEL IN HISTORIC RAILROAD CARS AND STREETCARS, RESTORED TO THEIR PERIOD APPEARANCE, AND EXPERIENCE WHAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE TO RIDE THESE SAME CARS 90 TO 100 YEARS AGO. JUST UNDER 25,000 PASSENGERS RODE OUR TRAINS IN 2024.
  2. WE OFFER FUN AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS. FIELD TRIPS ABOARD OUR HISTORIC RAILROAD CARS PROVIDE A UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH STUDENTS CAN EXPERIENCE AND DISCUSS A WIDE RANGE OF SCIENCE, ELECTRICAL, AND SOCIAL LESSONS. WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION ENDOWMENT FUND THAT OFFERS SUBSIDIES TO HELP PAY FOR SCHOOL BUSES TO BRING STUDENTS TO THE RAILROAD. WE HOSTED 436 CHILDREN ON FIELD TRIPS IN 2024.
  3. WE PROVIDE STEM-BASED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING THAT CATERS TO THE LOWER ELEMENTARY GRADES K-2 OR TO THE UPPER ELEMENTARY GRADES 3-5. OUR STEM CURRICULUM WAS DEVELOPED BY EDUCATORS IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE OF WISCONSIN STANDARDS. A PROGRAM IS PRESENTED AT THEMUSEUM DEPOT IN EAST TROY AND INVOLVES A SHORT TALK ON THE SUBJECT OF ELECTRICITY AND MOTION, A GRADEAPPROPRIATE HANDS-ON ACTIVITY, AND A 30 MINUTE RIDE ON ONE OF OUR HISTORIC TROLLEYS OR ELECTRIC RAILROAD CARS, INCLUDING THE HISTORY OF THE TROLLEYLINE. THIS PROGRAM CAN ALSO BE DELIVERED IN A SCHOOL SETTING, WITHOUT THE ACTUAL TRAIN RIDE. APPROXIMATELY 150 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THESE PROGRAMS IN 2024.

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 October 13, 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 1976.

    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 October 21, 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.