Southwest Association of Rail Shippers
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
A PROFESSIONAL, EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION DEDICATED TO EDUCATE AND INFORM RAILROAD TRANSPORTATION SHIPPERS AND RECEIVERS. RAIL COMPANIES, RAILCAR BUILDERS, RAIL VENDORS AND 3RD PARTY COMPANIES MEET TO DISCUSS THESE CHANGES AND HOW ALL CAN IMPROVE SERVICE COMMUNICATIONS AND OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO RAIL SHIPPING. AT OUR MEETINGS WE ALSO PROVIDE RAIL EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS FOR THOSE NEW TO THE INDUSTRY.
- Income
- $1.6 million
- Spending
- $1.2 million
- Employees
- 0
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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, 2025, 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, 2025, 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)
- $388,136 spent. THE SWAR ANNUAL CONFERENCE WAS HELD IN DALLAS TX, MARCH 18-19TH 2025. THE TITLE OF THE CONFERENCE WAS "TRACKS OF TRANSITION". WE HELD A RAIL 201 TRAINING CLASS, A TRADESHOW. WE ALSO HAD A GOLD OUTING, CLAY SHOOT AND A MIXOLOGY CLASS WITH ALL PROCEEDS GOING TO OUR SCHOLARSHIP FUND. WE HAD 60 COMPANIES PARTICIPATING IN OUR TRADESHOW.
- $388,136 spent. SWARS SEMI ANNUAL CONFERENCE WAS HELD IN PHOENIX, AZ, OCTOBER 1ST-2ND, 2025. THE TITLE OF THE CONFERENCE WAS "TARIFFS, TRADE AND TRANSPORTATION". WE HELD RAIL 301 TRAINING CLASS. WE ALSO HAD SPECIAL EVENT ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING GOLF, A CLAY SHOOT AND MIXOLOGY CLASS. THERE WERE 623 ATTENDEES AT OUR CONFERENCE.
- $200,000 spent. OUR 2025 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OPENED IN FEBRUARY 2025 AND CLOSED APRIL 2025. WE AWARDED 35 STUDENTS SCHOLARSHIPS RANGING FROM $1500-$12500. TOTAL SCHOLARSHIP DOLLARS GIVEN OUT CAME TO $200,000.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 7, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2009.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.