Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

The Richmond Freelance and Prototype Model Railroaders

EIN 54-1213244 · Ashland, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The RF&PMR are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia dedicated to educating our members and the general public about the history, science, technology, and craftsmanship of model railroading. Through instructional programs, public exhibits, workshops, and community outreach, we promote hands-on learning, historical awareness, and STEM principles while preserving and sharing the rich heritage of rail transportation through scale modeling.

Income
$67,638
Spending
$58,032
Reserves
42.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 53%

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 42.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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, 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 (7)
  1. $500 spent. Educated the public on Model Railroading at 2 major train only shows reaching over 14,000 people in the Richmond Area.
  2. Educated the public on Model Railroading, Operations and Construction through monthly open houses and special events at the Special Interest Group's Depots which house our operating layouts.
  3. Maintained a model railroad operating display presence at the Virginia Museum of Transportation for public education of Model Railroading and its relation to Railroads in Virginia and America. Open to Museum Visitors most weekends.
  4. Setup Layouts for display to the public at a Christmas Show in Blackstone Virginia and The Greenberg Train Show in Richmond Va, Covenant Wood Retirement Community, Hardywood Park Brewery, Legend Brewery, The Answer Brewpub, Ashland Fourth Friday
  5. Conducted 19 model railroad related clinics at three Great Scale Model Train shows at the Maryland State Fairground, Timonium, Maryland.
  6. Conducted 2 model railroad related classes at the annual BoyScout Troop 964B Model Train Show in Woodbridge, VA which lead to dozens of scouts earning a merit badge.
  7. Setup a display at the Chesterfield Fair reaching over 70,000 visitors. Setup a holiday Display at the Great Big Greenhouse.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 April 2000.

    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.