Nonprofit · EIN 06-6088826
BRANFORD ELECTRIC RAILWAY ASSOC INC
Tax-exempt · EAST HAVEN, CT 06512
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $528,110 | $717,847 | -$189,737 | $2,487,254 | $482,135 | $2,005,119 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $599,921 | $789,164 | -$189,243 | $2,568,682 | $521,728 | $2,046,954 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $309,691
- of which government grants
- $80,518
- Membership dues
- $47,734
- Program service revenue
- $161,516
- Investment income
- $129
- Net rental income
- $29,653
- Net income from fundraising events
- $4,991
- Net income from sales of inventory
- $21,816
- Other revenue
- $56,774
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $88,067
- Other salaries and wages
- $61,055
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $164,674
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Occupancy
- $60,151
- Travel
- $516
- Depreciation
- $56,018
- Program services (functional)
- $507,045
- Management and general (functional)
- $189,802
- Fundraising (functional)
- $21,000
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $2,568,682
- Total assets, end of year
- $2,487,254
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $482,135
- Net assets, end of year
- $2,005,119
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $2,038,236
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $1,406,494
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $598,625
- Gross receipts
- $553,723
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 118
- Year formed
- 1945
- State of legal domicile
- CT
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN PROTO | Executive Dir. Trustee or director | 40 | $88,067 |
| JOSEPH DEKO | President Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| CHRISTOPHER MITCHELL | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SHAELYN AMAIO | Trustee Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| PETER EZZARD | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| AL SANTINI | Trustee Vice Ch Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| MAX DIAMOND | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PAUL GRETHER | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TOM LAURENSON | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| LOU LEVINSON | Trustees Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 16 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN PROTO | Executive Dir. Trustee or director | 40 | $67,910 |
| JOSEPH DEKO | President Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CHRISTOPHER MITCHELL | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PETER EZZARD | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| AL SANTINI | Trustee Vice Ch Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MAX DIAMOND | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PAUL GRETHER | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TOM LAURENSON | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| WILLIAM WALL | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ROBERTO TILLMAN | Vice President Officer | 1 | $0 |
| DAVID COHEN | Asst. Treasurer Officer | 5 | $0 |
| DANA BOWERS | Secretary Officer | 1 | $0 |
| KEN ROSEN | Secretary Officer | 1 | $0 |
| SHAELYN AMAIO | Trustee Officer | 1 | $0 |
| MARK PILLITERE | Treasurer Officer | 2 | $0 |
| LOU LEVINSON | Trustees Chair Officer | 1 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 17 RIVER ST, EAST HAVEN, CT 06512-2519
- Signed the 990
- JOHN PROTO, Executive Dir.
- Phone
- (203) 467-6927
- Website
- shorelinetrolley.org
- Return prepared by
- GREGG S BOSSEN CPA PC
Mission
The mission of the Branford Electric Railway Association, Inc. doing business as the Shore Line Trolley Museum is to share with a diverse audience the story of the trolley and related forms of public transportation in their historical context.In 1983, the railway, along with the entire museum collection, was recognized as a National Historic District by the National Register of Historic Places. BERA is the organization behind the Shore Line Trolley Museum.
Program accomplishments
- For the year ended December 31, 2024, BERA operated the following program areas:(i) Curatorial & Exhibits:BERA maintains an extensive collection that preserves the history and heritage of electric street railways and related forms of public transportation. The museum holds over 100 historic transit vehicles, including trolley cars, subway cars, electric freight and maintenance cars, and several motor buses. The collection spans the mid-19th century through the late 20th century and includes both operational and static exhibits.The museums archives include over 30,000 photographic images, more than 4,000 books, maps, manuals, and documents, and nearly 1,000 small artifacts such as tokens, hat badges, and fare equipment. The archive continues to serve as a research resource for educators, students, authors, and transit historians.Significant pieces in the collection include:The oldest surviving horse-drawn streetcar (Central Park, NYC, c.1851)One of only two subway cars to survive the September 11, 2001 attacks (PATH car 745)An 1873 cable car that survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquakeAugust Belmont Jr.s private IRT subway car from 1904And a wide array of one-of-a-kind trolleys and interurbans from Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Canada(ii) Repair & Restoration Shop:BERA operates a full-service restoration and repair shop on site, staffed almost entirely by volunteers. The shop is equipped with industrial lathes, woodworking tools, sheet metal fabrication tools, and a power steam washer. This allows us to carry out historically accurate restorations of antique rolling stock using traditional methods.(iii) Trolley Car Rides & Tours:The museum offers public trolley rides on the historic right-of-way from April through December, with a reduced winter schedule in January, February, and March. Each visit includes a narrated ride on a historic trolley car and access to our interpretive displays and car barns.For private groups, educational institutions, and community organizations, the museum offers customizable charters and behind-the-scenes tours on a year-round basis.BERA also continues to offer Guest Operator experiences during scheduled weekends, where visitors are able to take the controls of a historic trolley under the supervision of a qualified instructor. This continues to be one of BERAs most popular and immersive programs.(iv) Special Programmatic Events:Throughout the year, BERA hosts a wide variety of themed events to engage the public and raise awareness of the museums mission. These events are well attended and help support operational needs while bringing new audiences to the museum. Notable 2024 programs included: Easter Bunny Trolley rides during April Storytime Trolley programs are held throughout summer, encouraging early childhood literacy Museum in Motion, BERAs summer kick-off event where several rarely seen or unique vehicles are operated and displayed Give Back Wednesdays, a summer initiative in which the museum opens its facilities including the railway, visitor center, and grounds to other local nonprofits for the purpose of hosting their own fundraising or community outreach events. In 2024, participating organizations included Havens Harvest, Project ACCESS New Haven, Community Dining Room, and East Haven PRIDE. The program rejects BERAs commitment to building partnerships and using its historic setting to support a wide range of social service, equity, and community-building efforts. Pumpkin Patch Trolley rides for families during October weekends Visits with Santa and Holiday Light Trolley rides throughout December BERA also held a Sensory-Friendly Day designed speci?cally for guests with autism or sensory sensitivities. This initiative is now a regular part of our operating calendar(v) Education & Internships:The museum continues its collaboration with the Railroad Technology Program at Gateway Community College, hosting hands-on portions of the only rail technician training program in New England. Students receive real-world training in signal systems, traction motors, and trackwork, and many have gone on to positions at Metro-North, Amtrak, and CSX.In addition, the museum continues to offer internships for students at Central Connecticut State University, Southern Connecticut State University, and the University of New Haven. Areas of focus include curation and archival work, museum studies, media, and communications. We also work with local high schools to offer limited volunteer and job- shadowing opportunities.In 2024, the Shore Line Trolley Museum expanded its educational mission by partnering with the Sound School, a New Haven-based regional vocational aquaculture center, to host its Urban Water Renewal Program. This partnership introduces high school students to the importance of wetlands conservation, water quality management, and sustainable infrastructure all within the context of the museums historic right-of-way, which runs through the tidal wetlands of the Farm River Estuary.Students participated in field-based learning that included: Monitoring water quality in tidal zones adjacent to the museums track Observing and cataloging biodiversity and habitat changes Studying the impacts of stormwater runoff and sea level rise on historical transportation infrastructure Applying ecological restoration concepts to a real-world coastal environmentThe museum provided supervised access to sections of the trackway for sample collection and environmental observation. This program aligns with our mission to preserve history while engaging the next generation in science, technology, and environmental stewardship. It also reinforces the role of legacy infrastructure in broader ecological systems and supports a growing focus on climate resilience and conservation education.(vi) Volunteer Program:Since its founding, BERA has been a volunteer-powered organization. In 2024, over 500 dues-paying members supported the museum, with nearly 70 volunteers actively participating in museum operations. These volunteers collectively contributed more than 10,000 hours in roles including:Trolley operations and instructionRestoration and repair workTrack and signal maintenanceGroundskeeping and facility maintenanceArchival and curatorial servicesTour guiding and educational interpretationAdministrative support, web and IT servicesThe continued engagement of our volunteer base is critical to our mission and success. Volunteer training and safety protocols were expanded in 2024 to support continued growth and operational sustainability.Expenses $507,045
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | Not on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 06-6088826
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1955
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Arts, culture and humanities (A500)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $2,487,254
- Income (IRS master file)
- $553,723
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2024 | $528,110 | $717,847 | $2,487,254 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $599,921 | $789,164 | $2,568,682 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $618,119 | $792,762 | $2,646,239 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2017 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 06-6088826).
Questions about BRANFORD ELECTRIC RAILWAY ASSOC INC
- What is the EIN of BRANFORD ELECTRIC RAILWAY ASSOC INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of BRANFORD ELECTRIC RAILWAY ASSOC INC is 06-6088826.
- Is BRANFORD ELECTRIC RAILWAY ASSOC INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1955.
- Are donations to BRANFORD ELECTRIC RAILWAY ASSOC INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does BRANFORD ELECTRIC RAILWAY ASSOC INC file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of BRANFORD ELECTRIC RAILWAY ASSOC INC due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending December 31, 2025) is due May 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did BRANFORD ELECTRIC RAILWAY ASSOC INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2024.
- Who are the officers and directors of BRANFORD ELECTRIC RAILWAY ASSOC INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 10 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $88,067 (JOHN PROTO, Executive Dir.).
- How much revenue does BRANFORD ELECTRIC RAILWAY ASSOC INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $528,110, expenses of $717,847 and total assets of $2,487,254 at year end.
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