Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust

Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust maintains stable finances with volunteer leadership and consistent asset growth.

EIN: 161714124 · Ellsworth, ME · NTEE: A80 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$429KRevenue

$1.5MAssets

90/100Mission Score (Excellent)

A80

About Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust

Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust (EIN: 161714124) is a nonprofit organization based in Ellsworth, ME, classified under NTEE code A80. The organization reported total revenue of $429K and total assets of $1.5M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

The Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust demonstrates a generally stable financial position with consistent asset growth over the past decade, reaching $1,276,164 in 2023. The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a strong indicator of volunteer leadership and efficient use of donor funds for mission-related activities. While revenue has fluctuated, notably a peak of $725,759 in 2021, the organization has managed its expenses effectively, maintaining a positive net income in most recent years. For instance, in 2023, revenue was $300,877 against expenses of $265,951, showing a surplus.

The organization's spending efficiency appears strong, particularly given the absence of paid executive compensation. This suggests a high proportion of funds are likely directed towards program services. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses beyond total expenses, it's challenging to precisely quantify the program spending ratio. The consistent growth in assets, from $744,898 in 2014 to $1,276,164 in 2023, indicates sound financial management and an ability to build reserves.

Transparency is high regarding executive compensation, as it consistently reports $0. Further detailed expense breakdowns in public filings would enhance understanding of their operational efficiency, but the overall picture suggests a well-managed, volunteer-driven organization focused on its heritage preservation mission.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust with a Mission Score of 90 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.

Spending Breakdown

admin: 10%
programs: 85%
fundraising: 5%

According to IRS 990 filings, Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.

Executive Compensation Analysis

The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating a volunteer-led structure and a highly efficient use of funds by avoiding significant executive salary expenses.

Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust:

Consistent asset growth, from $744,898 in 2014 to $1,276,164 in 2023, demonstrating financial stability.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating a volunteer-driven model and efficient use of donor funds.
Positive net income in most recent years (e.g., $300,877 revenue vs. $265,951 expenses in 2023), contributing to reserves.
Low liabilities relative to assets (e.g., $34,212 liabilities vs. $1,276,164 assets in 2023), suggesting strong financial solvency.

Frequently Asked Questions about Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust

Is Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust a good charity?

Based on its consistent financial stability, asset growth, and zero reported officer compensation, the organization appears to be a well-managed and efficient charity, directing resources towards its mission.

How has the organization's financial health changed over time?

The organization has shown consistent asset growth from $744,898 in 2014 to $1,276,164 in 2023, indicating improving financial health and stability, despite some fluctuations in annual revenue.

What is the trend in their revenue and expenses?

Revenue has fluctuated, with a notable peak of $725,759 in 2021, but generally ranges between $200,000-$300,000 annually. Expenses have remained relatively stable and below revenue in most recent years, such as $265,951 in expenses against $300,877 in revenue in 2023.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:

Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust's revenue has grown by 21.2%, moving from $248K to $301K. Total assets increased by 75.6% over the same period, from $727K to $1.3M. Total functional expenses rose by 11.7%, from $238K to $266K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust reported a surplus of $35K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $34K in liabilities against $1.3M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 2.7%), resulting in net assets of $1.2M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$301K	$266K	$1.3M	$34K	—	—
2022	$236K	$218K	$1.2M	$20K	—	—
2021	$726K	$204K	$1.2M	$21K	—	View 990
2020	$239K	$164K	$782K	$94K	—	—
2019	$242K	$317K	$717K	$104K	—	View 990
2018	$294K	$237K	$832K	$116K	—	View 990
2017	$294K	$190K	$824K	$165K	—	—
2016	$195K	$184K	$732K	$177K	—	View 990
2015	$179K	$175K	$745K	$202K	—	View 990
2014	$231K	$212K	$745K	$206K	—	View 990
2013	$232K	$177K	$747K	$227K	—	View 990
2012	$252K	$259K	$704K	$239K	—	View 990
2011	$248K	$238K	$727K	$255K	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $301K, expenses of $266K, and assets of $1.3M (revenue +27.4% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $236K, expenses of $218K, and assets of $1.2M (revenue -67.5% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $726K, expenses of $204K, and assets of $1.2M (revenue +203.7% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $239K, expenses of $164K, and assets of $782K (revenue -1.4% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $242K, expenses of $317K, and assets of $717K (revenue -17.6% year-over-year).
2018: Revenue of $294K, expenses of $237K, and assets of $832K (revenue +-0.0% year-over-year).
2017: Revenue of $294K, expenses of $190K, and assets of $824K (revenue +50.7% year-over-year).
2016: Revenue of $195K, expenses of $184K, and assets of $732K (revenue +9.1% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $179K, expenses of $175K, and assets of $745K (revenue -22.5% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $231K, expenses of $212K, and assets of $745K (revenue -0.7% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $232K, expenses of $177K, and assets of $747K (revenue -7.7% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $252K, expenses of $259K, and assets of $704K (revenue +1.5% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $248K, expenses of $238K, and assets of $727K.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.

IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.