Association of American Railroads
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
AAR PROMOTES A SAFE AND EFFICIENT NORTH AMERICAN RAIL SYSTEM WITH PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES IN AREAS SUCH AS STANDARDS, OPERATIONS, SAFETY, SECURITY, PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC POLICY.
- Income
- $70.2 million
- Spending
- $68.3 million
- Employees
- 81
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $2.8 million, president, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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, 2024, 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, 2024, 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)
- STRATEGIC RESEARCH INITIATIVES (SRI):THE SRI PROGRAM FOCUSES ON RESEARCH THAT WILL MAKE RAIL TRANSPORTATION SAFER, MORE EFFICIENT, AND MORE RELIABLE. THE CURRENT SRI PROGRAM INCLUDES PROJECTS ADDRESSING SIGNALS, TRAIN CONTROL, AUTOMATED OPERATIONS, TRACK, BRIDGES, AND RAIL CAR COMPONENTS SUCH AS WHEELS, BRAKES, AND COUPLERS.
- INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN:A PROGRAM OF MEDIA OUTREACH, PUBLIC AFFAIRS, ADVERTISING, AND CONTENT DEVELOPMENT THAT FOCUSES ON (1) HOW THE FREIGHT RAIL INDUSTRY CONSISTENTLY AND EFFICIENTLY DELIVERS ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS TO AMERICANS, (2) HOW RAILROADS USE MODERN TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE SAFETY AND PROVIDE PUBLIC BENEFITS INCLUDING A SAFE, FUEL EFFICIENT WAY TO MOVE GOODS AND CONNECT US TO THE GLOBAL ECONOMY, AND (3) PRESERVING BALANCED REGULATION OF THE FREIGHT RAIL INDUSTRY.
- PRESERVING BALANCED REGULATION:A PROGRAM TO PROMOTE THE BALANCED REGULATORY STRUCTURE REQUIRED TO ALLOW RAILROADS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE A REASONABLE RATE OF RETURN AND TO CONTINUE THEIR SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT IN THE NORTH AMERICAN RAIL NETWORK. SUCH REINVESTMENT IS CRITICAL IF RAILROADS ARE TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THE CAPACITY CHALLENGES THAT INCREASED RAIL DEMAND FOR TRANSPORTATION BRINGS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1992.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.