Gifts That Make an Impact Now
You Can See the Impact of Gifts You Make Today
With your support, Rail Passengers Association will work tirelessly to protect our nation’s railways and advocate for a more connected America.
Donate Now
A donation of cash is the most direct way to support the Rail Passengers Association. You benefit from a charitable tax credit while taking positive action to help Rail Passengers Association work on your behalf. You can make your gift online or by sending a check or money order by mail to:
Rail Passengers Association
1200 G St. NW, Suite 240
Washington, DC 20005
If you’re sending a check or money order, please let us know if you would like your gift to be used for a specific purpose.
The Rail Passengers Association (RPA) is the public identity of the National Association of Railroad Passengers, Inc. (NARP), which is an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization. Donations made to the Rail Passengers Association (RPA) &/or National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) are tax deductible, with the exception of any Amtrak Guest Rewards Point received, which have a taxable value of 2.5 cents per point.
Please note that donations are considered as separate gifts above and beyond membership fees, and DO NOT count towards membership fees. For Membership, you must Join or Renew instead.
Recommend a grant now from your donor-advised fund
Making a gift through your Donor-advised Fund (DAF) gives you the flexibility with your funds and has tax benefits. Recommend a grant for the Rail Passengers Association from your DAF using the link below. Simply start typing in your fund provider name and the system will prompt you through the process.
Memorial or Tribute Gift
When you give a memorial or tribute gift to Rail Passengers Association to honor someone special, you’re expressing your love, admiration, and gratitude in one of the most meaningful ways there is. Your gift will honor your loved one, create a lasting tribute, and advance the expansion and improvements of the nation’s railways.
Gifts of Securities
You can use stocks, bonds, and mutual funds that have appreciated in value to support our shared vision. You may receive a charitable income tax deduction for the full market value of the stock (up to a maximum of 30% of your adjusted gross income) and avoid paying the capital gains tax on any increase in the value of the stock.
Matching Gift Opportunities
Would you like to maximize the impact of your giving and encourage other supporters to mobilize on behalf of the Rail Passengers Association? Consider sponsoring a matching gift challenge. Donate a pool of funds to the Rail Passengers Association, from which we will match any donation made within a given period of time. In this way, you can double the impact of your giving.
Qualified Charitable Distribution
You can transfer funds from your IRA directly to the Rail Passengers Association. This is an effective way to have an immediate impact and ensure the American Rail passenger has an advocate and a voice. Here’s how it works:
- You must be 70 ½ or older.
- An individual may transfer up to a total of $100,000 per year and a married couple may give up to $200,000.
- An individual may take a one-time QCD up to $50,000 to fund a charitable gift annuity (CGA) or charitable remainder trust (CRT).
- Your gift must be transferred directly from the IRA account to the Rail Passengers Association.
- Your gift is a transfer of funds from your IRA to the Rail Passengers Association so it does not create taxable income for you and is not considered a charitable tax deduction.
- If you are 73 and older, the transfer of funds counts towards your annual Required Minimum Distribution* from your IRA.
If you’re interested in this popular way to support a cause you care about such as expanding and improving intercity-rail transportation, download a sample letter for your IRA administrator here.
When you make a gift today, you make the following programs possible:
Summer By Rail
Each year, the Rail Passengers Association sends an intern on a journey through America’s big cities and small rural communities to highlight the ways that access to rail and mobility makes people’s lives better. The intern chronicles the trip on social media, encouraging more young adults to take up the cause where they live, work and go to school. They meet with mayors, media and government officials while sampling local food, drinks, entertainment and recreation available through the passenger rail network. In summer 2018, Summer by Rail reached 26 million Americans through television, radio and social-media engagement.
RailNation
Annually, RailNation gathers passengers of all kinds and leaders in the Railroad and Transportation industries who are at the forefront of advocacy for sustainable rail transportation in the U.S. Coming together brings awareness of economic opportunity and support for a high-quality, balanced intermodal and multimodal transportation system that serves every American.
Student Ambassadors
The Rail Passengers Association Student Ambassador Program brings together students from various academic disciplines and cultural backgrounds while introducing the benefits of sustainable rail travel, an integrated transportation system, and their impact on the ecosystem of flourishing communities. Student Ambassadors help connect students on their campus to the Rail Passengers Association’s work and drive awareness of our student membership opportunity.
Station Volunteer Program
Rail Passengers Association Station Volunteers ensure that customers and potential passengers feel welcome, answer travelers questions about Amtrak trains and services, promote rail advocacy, highlight local attractions, foster a spirit of hospitality and promote an inviting atmosphere at the station. These actions leave a positive and lasting impact on both the passenger and the community.
Jim Hamre Memorial Scholarship Fund
This scholarship is awarded to engineering graduate students interested in rail and transit. Preparing the next generation of rail transit professionals is a necessity to the viability of rail travel and the Rail Passengers Association can’t think of a better way to honor Jim’s memory than looking to the future. Learn more here.
The Impact of Your Giving

$1,000/year
Could sustain our mission to defend and fight for a modern national passenger rail network while claiming your place in the Silver Rail Society.

$12,000
Could help to fund the journey of an intern participating in Summer By Rail.

$40,000
Given via your will, trust or by beneficiary designation could create your legacy for rail transport.
*Please note that these examples are for illustration purposes only and actual gift amounts may differ. Please contact our team to see the impact you can make possible.
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