EIN 41-1723120

Friends of the 261

IRS 501(c) type
501(c)(3)
Num. employees
10
City
Year formed
1991
Most recent tax filings
2023-12-01
NTEE code, primary
Description
Friends of the 261 promotes public understanding of the history of railroading in the Midwest through preserving, restoring, operating, and interpreting historic locomotives and rail cars. They have accomplished this through preserving, maintaining, and displaying historic locomotives and rolling stock, as well as operating locomotives and coaches for public excursions. The organization has attracted hundreds of visitors to their permanent display of historic coaches.
Also known as...
Railroading Heritage of Midwest America
Total revenues
$8,773,842
2023
Total expenses
$3,054,597
2023
Total assets
$16,593,606
2023
Num. employees
10
2023

Program areas at Friends of the 261

Program service accomplishments include the preservation, maintenance, and display of historic locomotives and rolling stock, and operation of locomotives and coaches for public excursions. Hundreds of people visited the historic coaches at the permanent home site in minneapolis. Throughout the year, the organization offered scenic excursions around the Midwest and throughout the united states, including the "windy-city express" roundtrips from st. paul to chicago. Thousands of people visited and observed the beautifully restored historic locomotive, skytop and superdome, and some historic business and baggage cars while at stops on the excursions.

Who funds Friends of the 261

Grants from foundations and other nonprofits
GrantmakerDescriptionAmount
Up in Smoke FoundationGeneral Support$1,000,000
National Philanthropic TrustCulture & Arts$100,000
Up in Smoke FoundationGeneral Support$100,000
...and 7 more grants received

Personnel at Friends of the 261

NameTitleCompensation
Steve SandbergPresident$146,640
Megan SandbergVice President$48,726
Frank E SandbergDeceased / President$0

Financials for Friends of the 261

RevenuesFYE 12/2023
Total grants, contributions, etc.$6,251,908
Program services$1,274,020
Investment income and dividends$121,245
Tax-exempt bond proceeds$0
Royalty revenue$0
Net rental income$0
Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets$1,126,588
Net income from fundraising events$0
Net income from gaming activities$0
Net income from sales of inventory$0
Miscellaneous revenues$81
Total revenues$8,773,842

Form 990s for Friends of the 261

Fiscal year endingDate received by IRSFormPDF link
2023-122024-06-19990View PDF
2022-122023-08-16990View PDF
2021-122022-05-05990View PDF
2020-122021-05-21990View PDF
2019-122021-01-21990View PDF
...and 10 more Form 990s

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National Sporting LibraryMiddleburg, VA$4,126,762
Birmingham Civil Rights InstituteBirmingham, AL$2,883,598
Oakland Museum Women's BoardOakland, CA$2,353,291
Columbia River Maritime Museum (CRMM)Astoria, OR$5,538,181
Lions Automobilia FoundationRancho Dominguez, CA$3,282,280
Atlanta Hall ManagementAtlanta, GA$29,742,044
Italian American MuseumNew York, NY$2,706,029
Data update history
December 24, 2023
Received grants
Identified 3 new grant, including a grant for $1,000,000 from Up in Smoke Foundation
October 11, 2023
Updated personnel
Identified 1 new personnel
October 10, 2023
Posted financials
Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2022
August 17, 2023
Posted financials
Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2021
June 27, 2023
Received grants
Identified 2 new grant, including a grant for $25,000 from The Candelaria Fund
Nonprofit Types
Arts, culture, and humanities nonprofitsMuseumsCharities
Issues
Arts, cultural, and humanitiesHistory
Characteristics
Tax deductible donationsAccepts online donations
General information
Address
2995 Aspen Lake Dr Ne
Blaine, MN 55449
Metro area
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
County
Anoka County, MN
Website URL
261.com/ 
Phone
(612) 860-3678
IRS details
EIN
41-1723120
Fiscal year end
December
Taxreturn type
Form 990
Year formed
1991
Eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions (Pub 78)
Yes
Categorization
NTEE code, primary
A50: Museums
NAICS code, primary
7121: Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions
Parent/child status
Independent
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