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IRS-authorized e-file provider · not the IRS

Nonprofit · EIN 92-1309052

FRIENDS OF BONITA ESTERO RAIL TRAIL INC

Tax-exempt · BONITA SPGS, FL 34136

Financials

$128K$64K2025
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of FRIENDS OF BONITA ESTERO RAIL TRAIL INC by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
December 31, 2025990-EZ$127,884$63,771$64,113$132,128–$132,128
Financial details: 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$126,969
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$22
Net income from fundraising events
$119
Net income from sales of inventory
$774

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$100
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$0
Professional fees and payments to contractors
$50,476
Occupancy
$1,612
Printing, publications and postage
$4,054
Other expenses
$7,529
Program services (functional)
$57,258

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$68,021
Total assets, end of year
$132,128
Total liabilities, end of year
–
Net assets, end of year
$132,128
Cash, savings and investments
$132,128
Gross receipts
$140,243

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-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
Deb OrtonPresident20$0
Stephen GuntherTreasurer20$0
Beth CastroDirector20$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
PO BOX 366578, BONITA SPGS, FL 34136-6578
Mailing address (990-N for 2024)
25690 Streamlet Court, Bonita Springs FL 34135
Principal officer (990-N for 2024)
Steve Gunther, 24825 Hollybrier Lane, Bonita Springs FL 34134
Signed the 990-EZ
Stephen Gunther, Treasurer
Phone
(612) 859-3729
Return prepared by
ELI DOLINSKY

Mission

Friends of BERT exists for the betterment of the greater Lee County community and State of Florida by its mission and activities to support, promote, enhance and protect Bonita Estero Rail Trail in Lee County and its trail connectors now and for future generations and for all other lawful purposes.

990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025

Program accomplishments

  • Trek Ride for BERT is the organizations signature annual community fundraising and awareness event. The 2025 event was held on November 16, 2025 at Coconut Point Mall in Estero, Florida, offering 15-mile and 30-mile routes. The event drew 449 participants, generating substantial community awareness of the Bonita Estero Rail Trail project and providing direct fundraising support for capital phases of the rail trail. The event generated $23,103.59 in voluntary participant donations (reported as contributions on Form 990-EZ Line 1) and $7,312.65 in required registration fees (reported as event income on Line 6b).
    Expenses $8,800
  • The organization conducts ongoing community outreach, public education, and advocacy activities in support of the Bonita Estero Rail Trail. Activities during 2025 included maintaining the organizations website (bonitaesterorailtrail.com) and active social media presence; participation in community events engagement with Lee County government officials and partner municipalities regarding trail design and right-of-way coordination; coordination with regional planning bodies including the Trust for Public Land
    Expenses $47,295
  • The organization conducts dedicated capital fundraising in support of the design and construction of the Bonita Estero Rail Trail. In 2025, the organization received $34,200.00 in dedicated Capital Fund Contributions from eight donors, of which three individual donors contributed $10,000 eachThese funds are accumulated for application to capital phases of the trail project, including engineering, design, and physical construction in coordination with Lee County and partner agencies
    Expenses $1,063
  • In 2025, the organization made a $100.00 charitable contribution to Naples Pathways Coalition Inc. (Naples, FL), a related advocacy organization that is building the Paradise Coast Trail in Collier County, which is intended to connect with the Bonita Estero Rail Trail.
    Expenses $100 · grants $100

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 yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025December 31, 2025May 15, 2026990-EZ on file
2024December 31, 2024May 15, 2025990-N on file
2023December 31, 2023May 15, 2024990-N on file

File the 2026 990-EZ for FRIENDS OF BONITA ESTERO RAIL TRAIL INC

Due May 17, 2027 · e-filed with the IRS by 990.tax, an IRS-authorized e-file provider

IRS record

EIN
92-1309052
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
2023
Accounting year ends
December
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Assets (IRS master file)
$132,128
Income (IRS master file)
$140,243

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990-EZDecember 2025$127,884$63,771$132,128XML
990-N for 2024
Officer: Steve Gunther
December 31, 2024≤ $50,000 receipts––e-Postcard
990-N for 2023
Officer: Stephen Gunther
December 31, 2023≤ $50,000 receipts––e-Postcard

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 92-1309052).

Questions about FRIENDS OF BONITA ESTERO RAIL TRAIL INC

What is the EIN of FRIENDS OF BONITA ESTERO RAIL TRAIL INC?
The employer identification number (EIN) of FRIENDS OF BONITA ESTERO RAIL TRAIL INC is 92-1309052.
Is FRIENDS OF BONITA ESTERO RAIL TRAIL INC tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2023.
Are donations to FRIENDS OF BONITA ESTERO RAIL TRAIL INC tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does FRIENDS OF BONITA ESTERO RAIL TRAIL 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 FRIENDS OF BONITA ESTERO RAIL TRAIL INC 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 FRIENDS OF BONITA ESTERO RAIL TRAIL INC last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990-EZ for the year ended December 2025.
Who is the principal officer of FRIENDS OF BONITA ESTERO RAIL TRAIL INC?
The 990-N for 2024 names Steve Gunther.
Who are the officers and directors of FRIENDS OF BONITA ESTERO RAIL TRAIL INC?
The 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 3 people; 0 received compensation from the organization.
How much revenue does FRIENDS OF BONITA ESTERO RAIL TRAIL INC have?
On its 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $127,884, expenses of $63,771 and total assets of $132,128 at year end.

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