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Association of American Railroads at a glanceAlso receives grants: funding profile →

· Public charity

Association of American Railroads

Aar promotes a safe and efficient north american rail system with principal activities in areas such as standards, operations, safety, security, public affairs and public policy.

$1.9M
Granted FY2024still arriving
13
Grants FY2024still arriving
6
States reached
$750k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2024.

Civil Rights$5.1MEnvironment$4.8MEducation$1.6MPublic Benefit$568kScience & Tech$337kCommunity Improvement$128kRecreation & Sports$75kPublic Safety & Disaster$34kOther$0
02FY2024 · 13 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

How this is measured
The 13 grants below total $1,843,655, the rows itemized in this filing. The $1,933,604 headline is the total grant expense on the return; the other $89,949 is giving the schedule does not break out (grants under the $5,000 itemization floor, grants to individuals, grants on other schedules). Every figure below describes the itemized rows only.

By grant size · FY2024

  • Under $10k1 grant · $8k
  • $10k–50k8 grants · $146k
  • $50k–250k2 grants · $224k
  • $250k+2 grants · $1.5M
$25,000
Median grant
6
States reached
$52M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
COALITION AGAINST BIGGER TRUCKS LLC (CABT)$750,000
GORAIL$716,500
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS GRAINGER COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING$174,000
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION POLICY PROJECT$50,000
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES$40,655
CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS FOUNDATION$25,000
GOVERNING MAJORITY EDUCATION FUND$25,000
CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS INSTITUTE (CBCI)$15,000
NATIONAL TROOPERS COALITION AND CHARITABLE FOUNDATION INC$10,000
METROPOLITAN PLANNING COUNCIL$10,000
CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS INSTITUTE INC$10,000
CONGRESSIONAL FOOTBALL GAME FOR CHARITY INC$10,000
JOHN W BARRIGER III NATIONAL RAILROAD LIBRARY AT UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI$7,500
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Dollar for dollar, its grants (FY17–24) land where the poverty rate runs at 13%, against an area that typically sits at 9%. 58% of its dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 9%GORAIL: $717k → 14%GOVERNING MAJORITY EDUCATION FUND: $25k → 17%UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS: $329k → 19%COALITION AGAINST BIGGER TRUCKS LLC (CABT): $755k → 9%GORAIL: $650k → 14%UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS GRAINGER COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING: $229k → 19%COALITION AGAINST BIGGER TRUCKS LLC (CABT): $750k → 9%GORAIL: $600k → 14%UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS: $214k → 19%COALITION AGAINST BIGGER TRUCKS LLC (CABT): $700k → 9%GORAIL: $575k → 14%UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS: $189k → 19%COALITION AGAINST BIGGER TRUCKS LLC (CABT): $625k → 9%GORAIL: $500k → 14%UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS GRAINGER COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING: $174k → 19%COALITION AGAINST BIGGER TRUCKS LLC (CABT): $600k → 9%GORAIL: $500k → 14%UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS: $141k → 19%COALITION AGAINST BIGGER TRUCKS LLC (CABT): $600k → 9%GORAIL: $438k → 14%NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY: $75k → 14%UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS: $134k → 19%COALITION AGAINST BIGGER TRUCKS LLC (CABT): $595k → 9%GORAIL: $375k → 14%COALITION AGAINST BIGGER TRUCKS LLC: $470k → 9%CONGRESSIONAL INSTITUTE INC: $28k → 9%CONGRESSIONAL INSTITUTE INC: $28k → 9%CONGRESSIONAL INSTITUTE INC: $28k → 9%CONGRESSIONAL INSTITUTE INC: $28k → 9%CONGRESSIONAL INSTITUTE INC: $28k → 9%CONGRESSIONAL INSTITUTE INC: $25k → 9%GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY: $160k → 14%NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES: $71k → 14%NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES: $41k → 14%NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES: $40k → 14%NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES: $39k → 14%NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES: $38k → 14%NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES: $37k → 14%NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES: $36k → 14%SURFACE TRANSPORTATION POLICY PROJECT: $50k → 14%SURFACE TRANSPORTATION POLICY PROJECT: $50k → 14%AMERICAN TORT REFORM ASSOCIATION: $30k → 14%SURFACE TRANSPORTATION POLICY PROJECT: $50k → 14%SURFACE TRANSPORTATION POLICY PROJECT: $50k → 14%SURFACE TRANSPORTATION POLICY PROJECT: $50k → 14%SURFACE TRANSPORTATION POLICY PROJECT: $50k → 14%SURFACE TRANSPORTATION POLICY PROJECT: $50k → 14%SURFACE TRANSPORTATION POLICY PROJECT: $50k → 14%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

IL
WI
NJ
CT
CO
MO
VA
MD
DC
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

97%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$12M · 20 repeat orgs$370k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +30% since the first grant, against +26% for those funded once.

20 repeat relationships: 11 still active in FY2024, 9 since wound down; 2 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

20
10

Total granted

$12M
$350k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+30%
+26%

Still filing today

80%
100%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 99% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $20k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
EducationCommunity ImprovementCivil RightsPublic BenefitEnvironmentScience & TechOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • G
    GORAIL
    8× · 2017–2024 · $4.4M · revenue +14% · 35% of their budget
  • University of Illinois Foundation
    7× · 2017–2024 · $1.4M · revenue +127%
  • NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    7× · 2018–2024 · $300k · revenue +21%

Funded once

  • GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITYgraduated
    one grant, 2017 · $160k · revenue +47%
  • Northwestern Universitygraduated
    one grant, 2020 · $75k · revenue +33%
  • AT
    AMERICAN TORT REFORM ASSOCIATION
    one grant, 2020 · $30k · revenue +17%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners

Founded in 1889, the national association of regulatory utility commisioners (naruc) is a non-profit organization dedicated to representing the state public service commisions who regulate the utilities that provide essential services such…

—
2
American Gas Association

American gas association's (the association) mission is to develop and advocate for informed, innovative, and durable policy that fulfills our nation's energy needs, environmental aspirations and economic potential. we are committed to…

—
3
National Association of College and University Attorneys

To advance the practice of higher education attorneys for the benefit of the institutions they serve.

—
4
Pipeline Research Council International Inc

Foster an international, industry-wide collaborative community that delivers innovative applied research, and develops the means for stakeholders to leverage/implement the research.

Community Improvement
5
American Council On Education

Ace leads higher education with a united vision for the future, galvanizing our members to make change. the council collaborates across the sector to design solutions for today's challenges, serves the needs of a diverse student…

Education
6
American Association of State Colleges and Universities

Aascu is a washington, d.c. based higher education association that represents the sector of over 500 regional public colleges, universities, and systems whose members share a learning and teaching centered culture, a commitment to…

Education
7
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities

The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) serves as the unified voice for the 1,700 private, nonprofit colleges and universities in our nation. (continued on Schedule O)

—
8
National Public Radio Inc

National public radio, inc. ("npr") works collaboratively with member public radio station licensees ("member stations") to create a more informed public, one that is challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding and appreciation of…

Arts & Culture
9
National Academy of Public Administration

The National Academy of Public Administration is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, non partisan Organization established in 1967 and chartered by Congress in 1984. See Schedule O

Public Benefit
10
National Council of University Research Administrators

To serve all members by advancing expertise in the profession of research administration.

—
11
Aacsb International - the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Aacsb international provides quality assurance of business school programs, the latest in business education intelligence, thought leadership, and learning and development services.

Education
12
Council for National Policy

To provide information about public policy and national policy alternatives to leaders in business, government, religion, and academia.

Public Benefit
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Ncsl Foundation for State Legislatures; the most unlike its peers is Fixed Wireless Communications Coalition. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

29 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 29 of the 32 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

1
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
6
Early backer (in before they grew)
27/29
Grantees still filing
22/29
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

COALITION AGAINST BIGGER TRUCKS LLC (CABT): $5,095,000 · OtherCOALITION AGAINST BIGGER TRUCKS LLC (CABT)SURFACE TRANSPORTATION POLICY PROJECT: $400,000 · OtherSURFACE TRANSPORTATION POLICY PROJECT+18 more: $676,849 · Other+18 moreGORAIL: $4,354,000 · EnvironmentGORAILUniversity of Illinois Foundation: $1,410,000 · EducationUniversity of …GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY: $160,000 · EducationGEORGETOWN UNI…+2 more: $38,500 · EducationNATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES: $300,161 · Science & TechCONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS POLITICAL EDU CATION AND LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: $137,500 · Civil RightsCONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS FOUNDATION INC: $31,000 · Civil RightsMETROPOLITAN PLANNING COUNCIL: $60,000 · Community ImprovementFIXED WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS COALITION: $15,000 · Community ImprovementEDISON ELECTRIC INSTITUTE INC: $6,500 · Community ImprovementNorthwestern University: $75,000 · Recreation & Sports
Other$6,171,849Environment$4,354,000Education$1,608,500Science & Tech$300,161Civil Rights$168,500Community Improvement$81,500Recreation & Sports$75,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetGORAIL: $4,354,000 over 8y, 35% of budgetUniversity of Illinois Foundation: $1,410,000 over 7y, 0.1% of budgetSURFACE TRANSPORTATION POLICY PROJECT: $400,000 over 8y, 25% of budgetNATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES: $300,161 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetTHE CONGRESSIONAL INSTITUTE INC: $162,708 over 6y, 0.9% of budgetGEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY: $160,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS POLITICAL EDU CATION AND LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: $137,500 over 8y, 0.9% of budgetAmericans for Tax Reform: $100,000 over 4y, 0.4% of budgetNorthwestern University: $75,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS INSTITUTE INC: $60,000 over 6y, 0.1% of budgetMETROPOLITAN PLANNING COUNCIL: $60,000 over 6y, 0.3% of budgetNCSL FOUNDATION FOR STATE LEGISLATURES: $57,500 over 7y, 0.2% of budgetGOVERNING MAJORITY EDUCATION FUND: $50,000 over 2y, 3.0% of budgetAMERICAN SHORT LINE & REGIONAL RAILROAD ASSOCIATION: $44,708 over 3y, 0.3% of budgetCONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS FOUNDATION INC: $31,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetAMERICAN TORT REFORM ASSOCIATION: $30,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetJAMES E CLYBURN SCHOLARSHIP AND RESEARCH FOUNDATION: $28,500 over 4y, 1.3% of budgetOperation Lifesaver Inc: $24,339 over 1y, 0.9% of budgetAMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCIL: $22,500 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES: $20,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetFIXED WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS COALITION: $15,000 over 2y, 8.0% of budgetRAILROAD RESEARCH FOUNDATION: $14,000 over 1y, 2.0% of budgetREFORMING AMERICA'S TAXES EQUITABLY: $10,000 over 1y, 4.6% of budgetCONGRESSIONAL FOOTBALL GAME FOR CHARITY INC: $10,000 over 1y, 4.0% of budgetAMERICAN FOREST & PAPER ASSOCIATION INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetRUTGERS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

The Business Roundtab…Edison Electric Insti…AARPAmerican Fuel and Pet…Consumer Technology A…Nuclear Energy Instit…Pharmaceutical Resear…
The Business Roundtable IncDC17.9× affinity6 shared granteesties to 6 of 6Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Business Roundtable Inc · Edison Electric Institute Inc · AARP · American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers · Consumer Technology Association · Nuclear Energy Institute Inc · Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Association of American Railroads funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Association of American Railroads. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 10%3%10%23%40%funder's share of their income ↑0%23%45%68%90%share of the org’s income from government →median 0%
  • Rutgers University Foundation: 0% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
1get no government money at all
2report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–90%
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 32 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990 e-file return for fiscal year 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Association of American Railroads’ filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home