Nonprofit · EIN 16-1714124
DOWNEAST RAIL HERITAGE PRESERVATION TRUST
Tax-exempt · ELLSWORTH, ME 04605
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $296,608 | $224,798 | $71,810 | $1,594,719 | $16,900 | $1,577,819 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $428,597 | $238,935 | $189,662 | $1,498,240 | $17,989 | $1,480,251 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $300,877 | $265,951 | $34,926 | $1,276,164 | $34,212 | $1,241,952 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $66,217
- Program service revenue
- $218,860
- Investment income
- $11,531
- Net gain from sales of assets
- -$2,589
- Other revenue
- $0
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $0
- Professional fundraising fees
- $15,721
- Legal fees
- $323
- Accounting fees
- $4,813
- Occupancy
- $5,727
- Depreciation
- $4,774
- Program services (functional)
- $200,312
- Management and general (functional)
- $8,765
- Fundraising (functional)
- $15,721
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $1,498,240
- Total assets, end of year
- $1,594,719
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $16,900
- Net assets, end of year
- $1,577,819
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $992,015
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $1,576,848
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $971
- Gross receipts
- $329,244
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 35
- Year formed
- 2004
- State of legal domicile
- ME
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, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAROLYN ACKERMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| DR JOEL ACKERMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| DAVID BALDWIN | VP/SAFETY DI Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| ROGER BENNATTI | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| H LEVERTT FERNALD | VP/CHIEF MEC Trustee or director, Officer | – | $0 |
| ALLEN FLEWELLING | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| CHARLES FREEMAN | VP/SUPERINTE Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| WILLIAM P GREEN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| JEFFREY HOLMES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| ROBERT HOWLAND | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| KENNETH JACKMAN | VP/SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | – | $0 |
| BRONSON PLATNER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| EDWARD A RIDEOUT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| THOMAS TESTA | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | – | $0 |
| GEORGE THOMAS | VICE PRES/TR Trustee or director, Officer | – | $0 |
2 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOGAN TOURTILLOTTE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| JAMES S YOUNG | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 17 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAROLYN ACKERMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| DR JOEL ACKERMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| DAVID BALDWIN | VP/SAFETY DI Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| ROGER BENNATTI | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| H LEVERTT FERNALD | VP/CHIEF MEC Trustee or director, Officer | – | $0 |
| ALLEN FLEWELLING | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| CHARLES FREEMAN | VP/SUPERINTE Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| WILLIAM P GREEN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| JEFFREY HOLMES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| ROBERT HOWLAND | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| KENNETH JACKMAN | VP/SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | – | $0 |
| BRONSON PLATNER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| EDWARD A RIDEOUT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| THOMAS TESTA | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | – | $0 |
| GEORGE THOMAS | VICE PRES/TR Trustee or director, Officer | – | $0 |
| LOGAN TOURTILLOTTE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| JAMES S YOUNG | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 16 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAROLYN ACKERMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| DR JOEL ACKERMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| DAVID BALDWIN | VP/SAFETY DI Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| ROGER BENNATTI | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| H LEVERTT FERNALD | VP/CHIEF MEC Trustee or director, Officer | – | $0 |
| ALLEN FLEWELLING | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| CHARLES FREEMAN | VP/SUPERINTE Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| WILLIAM P GREEN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| JEFFREY HOLMES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| ROBERT HOWLAND | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| KENNETH JACKMAN | VP/SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | – | $0 |
| BRONSON PLATNER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| EDWARD A RIDEOUT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
| THOMAS TESTA | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | – | $0 |
| GEORGE THOMAS | VICE PRES/TR Trustee or director, Officer | – | $0 |
| JAMES S YOUNG | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- PO BOX 621, ELLSWORTH, ME 04605-0621
- In care of
- % THOMAS TESTA
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- THOMAS TESTA, 10 DERBY LANE, BAR HARBOR, ME 04609
- Signed the 990
- THOMAS TESTA, PRESIDENT
- Phone
- (866) 449-7245
- Website
- WWW.DOWNEASTSCENICRAIL.ORG
- Return prepared by
- COSTON & MCISAAC CPAS CHARTERED
Mission
THE PRIMARY OVERALL MISSION OF THE TRUST IS TO CELEBRATE AND PRESERVE THE RAILROAD HISTORY OF DOWNEAST MAINE. THE IMMEDIATE AND PRIMARY GOAL IS TO DEVELOP THE DOWNEAST SCENIC RAILROAD FOR EDUCATION, ENLIGHTENMENT AND ENJOYMENT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
Program accomplishments
- THE ORGANIZATION HAS CONTINUED ONGOING MAINTENANCE TO THE RAIL LINE AND HAS REPLACED OR REBUILT FOUR TURNOUTS. THE ORGANIZATION HAS RESTORED A 1954 MAINE CENTRAL RUSSELL SNOWPLOW AND REBUILT ONE COACH. THEY ARE PLANNING TO REBUILD AND REACTIVATE ANOTHER 1/2 MILE OF TRACK IN 2025/2026. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO CONDUCT SCENIC TOURS AND HOST VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL GROUPS AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION PRESENTATIONS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN.Expenses $200,312 · revenue $218,860
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 | 990 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
- 16-1714124
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2006
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Arts, culture and humanities (A80)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $1,594,719
- Income (IRS master file)
- $329,244
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $296,608 | $224,798 | $1,594,719 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $428,597 | $238,935 | $1,498,240 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $300,877 | $265,951 | $1,276,164 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $236,201 | $217,776 | $1,213,659 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | 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 16-1714124).
Questions about DOWNEAST RAIL HERITAGE PRESERVATION TRUST
- What is the EIN of DOWNEAST RAIL HERITAGE PRESERVATION TRUST?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of DOWNEAST RAIL HERITAGE PRESERVATION TRUST is 16-1714124.
- Is DOWNEAST RAIL HERITAGE PRESERVATION TRUST tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2006.
- Are donations to DOWNEAST RAIL HERITAGE PRESERVATION TRUST tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does DOWNEAST RAIL HERITAGE PRESERVATION TRUST 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 DOWNEAST RAIL HERITAGE PRESERVATION TRUST due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did DOWNEAST RAIL HERITAGE PRESERVATION TRUST last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of DOWNEAST RAIL HERITAGE PRESERVATION TRUST?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names THOMAS TESTA.
- Who are the officers and directors of DOWNEAST RAIL HERITAGE PRESERVATION TRUST?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 17 people; 0 received compensation from the organization.
- How much revenue does DOWNEAST RAIL HERITAGE PRESERVATION TRUST have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $296,608, expenses of $224,798 and total assets of $1,594,719 at year end.
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All nonprofits in ELLSWORTH · Maine · Arts, culture and humanities