John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust Grant

The John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust Grant aims to preserve the intercity rail passenger experience from 1920 to 1960. This private foundation supports projects that restore historic rail equipment and enhance passenger service. With an emphasis on operational railroads, the Trust encourages inclusive practices and the involvement of young people in rail heritage. Grant requests can reach up to $50,000, fostering opportunities for multiple annual awards to eligible organizations dedicated to rail heritage.

The John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust was created by John Emery, a native of Chicago, and a lover of the classic passenger trains of America. The Trust was founded as a way to support Mr. Emery’s interests in the passenger trains of the 1920’s though the 1950’s. The Trust operates as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) foundation under the Internal Revenue Code.
Certain principles are described by Mr. Emery in his Will that are binding on both the Trustee and the three-person Advisory Committee selected by Mr. Emery prior to his death. These principles are set forth in the Trust and are as follows:
To help re-create and preserve, to the extent possible, the rail passenger travel experience as it was in the U. S. from approximately 1920 through 1960.To preserve and restore to working order rolling stock and other working artifacts from the “Golden Age” of the U. S. rail passenger service.
The emphasis shall be on organizations that offer the general public an opportunity to ride historically significant equipment over historic rail lines. The Trust may, however, support organizations that would use modern equipment to restore passenger service over historic rails, or to build new rails on which to operate historic equipment in passenger service.
Trust funds may be used, if appropriate, to restore or rebuild ancillary facilities essential to the operation of, or extension of, a working passenger operation. Rebuilding a trestle or grade crossing or electrical facility would qualify. Restoring a historic depot to its original appearance should be considered only if it was to be used to support ticket sales, souvenir sales, or other functions directly related to passenger operations.
The size of the trust is significant and the trust is intended to be perpetual. The amount of money to be distributed each year will depend on the return on investments held by the Trust; therefore it will vary each year. The amount to be disbursed each year will not be announced in advance; however, requests by any qualified applicant must not exceed $50,000 for any given year. The Trust may make multiple awards annually.

Eligibility

Only one application will be considered from any organization in a given year.Grant requests submitted in successive years for the same project will be considered based on the merit of the overall project as determined by the committee.The items/equipment that the grant is being requested for must be owned by the requesting organization. Projects must pertain directly to the intercity rail passenger experience during the defined period (1920 – 1960.)The John Emery Rail Heritage Trust does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.All applicants are required to follow the same policies and submit copies of their policies with their grant application.

Ineligibility

I do not care to support cosmetic restoration of structures or equipment, no matter how historic, for static display only. Nor do I wish to donate toward buildings, or other structures unless they are to be part of, or used to support, a working demonstration passenger railroad.I do not wish trust funds to be used in support of any organization whose principal function is lobbying for or promoting commercial or government-sponsored rail services.No organization may receive more than three grants in the most recent five-year period.For example, If your organization received three or more grants from the Emery Trust, within the previous four years, you are ineligible for a grant in the current application cycle and should not submit an application for this year.Projects that pertain to urban mass transportation such as subways, elevated trains or surface streetcars do not meet the principles established in Mr. Emery’s Trust and cannot be considered.