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Zilker Train LLC

EIN 86-3126391 · Austin, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

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

What it says it does

ZILKER TRAIN LLC IS ORGANIZED AND OPERATED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE BENEFIT OF, TO PERFORM THE FUNCTIONS OF, AND TO CARRY OUT AND TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSES OF AUSTIN PARKS FOUNDATION (APF). SPECIFICALLY, ZILKER TRAIN LLC WILL OPERATE THE MINI TRAIN AMUSEMENT RIDE WITHIN AUSTIN'S ZILKER METROPOLITAN PARK, UNDER THE NAME ZILKER EAGLE. ZILKER EAGLE IS A NAME THAT WAS SELECTED BY COMMUNITY VOTE AND HARKENS BACK TO THE ORIGINAL MINI TRAIN. THE ZILKER PARK MINI TRAIN HAS BEEN A BELOVED AUSTIN TRADITION FOR OVER 60 YEARS, ATTRACTING FAMILIES AND VISITORS OF ALL AGES TO ENJOY AND LEARN ABOUT AUSTIN'S OUTDOOR GREEN SPACES. THE TRAIN WENT OUT OF COMMISSION DUE TO TRACK EROSION DAMAGE AND APF WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT TO REPLACE, REPAIR AND RESTORE THE TRACK, DEPOT AND TRAIN LOADING AREA, MAKING SURE THAT ALL TRAIN AREAS ARE COMPLIANT WITH ADA ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS."

Income
$70,170
Spending
$38,994
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
-265.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$243,486, ceo

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

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. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    0 of 25

    0 of 1 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

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

  • 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 (1)
  1. $38,994 spent. REVENUE FROM ZILKER TRAIN OPERATIONS, PRIMARILY TRAIN RIDE TICKETS. REVENUE FROM TRAIN RIDE TICKETS IS A PERCENTAGE OF THE TOTAL TICKET PRICE, AS AGREED UPON WITH TRAIN MAINTENANCE AND PRINCIPAL OPERATORS OF THE ZILKER EAGLE, FUN TIME TRAIN RIDES LLC.

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 December 2021.

    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.