The Rail Heritage Trust First Option Bank Trustee
Historical FunderPaola, Kansas · EIN 46-4327372 · Private foundation
Half of its grants to organizations were between $5,000 and $15,000.
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2025):
| Contact | CHARITABLE FOUNDATIONS FIRST OPTION |
|---|---|
| Address | 702 BAPTISTE DRIVE, PAOLA KS 66071 |
| Phone | 9132949222 |
| APPLICATION@EMERYRAILHERITAGETRUST.ORG | |
| Form and materials | APPLICATION IS AVAILABLE AT: FIRSTOPTIONBANK.COM/ABOUT-US/ FOUNDATIONS-AND-SCHOLARSHIPS/ SUBMIT ONLINE TO: APPLICATION@EMERYRAILHERITAGETRUST.ORG. EMAIL QUESTIONS TO QUESTIONS@EMERYRAILHERITAGETRUST.ORG. |
| Deadlines | APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED UNTIL 11:59 PM CST FEB 1 OF EACH YEAR. |
| Restrictions | FUNDS WILL ONLY BE DISTRIBUTED TO SEC 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE TO THE PUBLIC THE ACTUAL EXPERIENCE OF TRAVEL BY RAIL DURING THE GOLDEN AGE. FUNDS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO SUPPORT THE RECREATION, RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION OF ACTUAL RAIL TRAVEL DURING THE "GOLDEN AGE" OF U.S. RAIL PASSENGER SERVICE - 1920 THROUGH 1960. |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
100% of grants went outside Kansas.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville Steam Preservation Society | Nashville, TN | Locomotive 576 eectrical components | $45,000 |
| Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation | Portland, OR | Work on orns 197 locomotive | $27,000 |
| Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust | Boyertown, PA | Pullman woodland heating system | $25,000 |
| Minnesota Transportation Museum Inc | St Paul, MN | Passenger car 1213 modernization | $20,000 |
| Watauga Valley Rr Hist Society & Museum Inc | Jonesborough, TN | Work on car watx 100 | $15,550 |
| Western Michigan Society for Industrial Heritage | Coopersville, MI | Painting two cn coaches | $15,000 |
| Adirondack Railway Preservation Society | Utica, NY | Return NYC rs3 8223 to service | $11,100 |
| Railroad Museum Golden Gate | Miami, FL | Restoration of fec coach #136 | $11,000 |
| Anthracite Railroads Historical Society Inc | Fort Washington, PA | B-Unit generator rebuild | $10,000 |
| Friends of the Sp4449 Inc | Portland, OR | Paint dlmx dining car | $10,000 |
| Pacific Southwest Railway Museum | LA Mesa, CA | Restoration sp 3709 | $10,000 |
| Smoky Hill Railway & Hist Society Inc | Belton, MO | Repaint engine & caboose | $10,000 |
| Tri-State Railway Historical Society Inc | Boonton, NJ | Rewire of f3a locomotive | $10,000 |
| Norfolk & Western Business Car 300 Preservation Soc Inc | Chesterton, IN | Hollins college windows | $7,000 |
| Fox River Trolley Association Inc | South Elgin, IL | Two projects | $5,000 |
| North Carolina Transportation Museum Foundation | Spencer, NC | Restore n&w combine 1506 | $5,000 |
| Railways to Yesterday Inc | Rockhill Furnace, PA | Redo seats for ae&c car 315 | $5,000 |
| West Chester Railroad Heritage Assoc | West Chester, PA | Maintenance on ex-reading mu cars | $5,000 |
| Connecticut Electric Rwy Assn Inc | East Windsor, CT | Relettering & painting ca&e 303 | $2,350 |
| El Dorado Western Railway Foundation | Placerville, CA | Work on railroad cars | $1,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $250,000 | 20 |
| 2024 | $250,000 | 18 |
| 2023 | $250,000 | 18 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed Jul 14, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202641959349100614
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 46-4327372
- Profile updated Nov 6, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.