Amherst Railway Society Grants Program
The Amherst Railway Society supports organizations working to preserve America’s railroad heritage. Since 1991, Amherst has donated $829,252 to protect and maintain historic railroad artifacts.
The Amherst Railway Society sponsors two annual grant programs.
Grant Program Awards
The Amherst Railway Society’s Grant Program is funded with proceeds from the annual Railroad Hobby Show. For 2023, $15,000 was awarded to the following organizations:
- Connecticut Trolley Museum
- Torrinton Area Model Railroaders
- New England Steam Corporation
- Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum
- WW&F Railway Museum
- Railroad Museum of New England
- The Old Colony & Newport Railway
- Danbury Railway Museum
Founders’ Award
The Founders Award was established to honor the founding members of the Amherst Railway Society. A single $10,000 grant may be awarded each year to support either a single large project, or multiple smaller projects totaling $10,000.
An organization submitting a Founders’ Award request may also submit a Heritage Grant request for the same project.
Selection of the Founders’ Award is made by the Board of Directors.
Founders’ Award application
Applying for the Founders’ Award
Submissions for the Founders’ Award must be made after April 1 and before May 31.
Send an e-mail with attachments to [email protected]. The subject line should include the phrase “Founders’ Award” and the name of the organization submitting the request.
Example: Founders’ Award – Your Organization Name Here
The e-mail body should briefly describe the project. It should also include the names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of two organization officers or members who can be available to receive the grant at the awards meeting in August.
Include the completed Application Form as an attachment. Also attach a one page description of the project and, if a continuing project, describe the progress to date. Include:
- information on whether matching funds are available and the amount
- other funding sources for the project
- the estimated total cost of the project
- funds requested from the Amherst Railway Society
- your IRS number
You may include up to five additional attachments – photos or other information that will help the Board of Directors evaluate the project.
Include as the last attachment a copy of your IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter.
You will receive an application confirmation.
The Amherst Railway Society does not accept hard-copy applications via surface mail.
Heritage Grants
Heritage Grants are awarded for:
- smaller projects
- to partially fund larger projects that are receiving matching funds
- projects that are phased over several years
At the discretion of the Board of Directors, an application submitted for the Founders’ Award, but not selected, may be considered for partial funding as a Heritage Grant.
The Heritage Grant program includes two named grants.
The Robert A. Buck Memorial Award honors our long-time Show Director who nurtured the Railroad Hobby Show from a simple swap meet at the University of Massachusetts to the two-day, multi-building show we host today.
Without Bob’s dedication, the Amherst Railway Society would not be able to support the preservation and restoration work of so many organizations.
Selection of the Robert A. Buck Memorial Award is made by the Board of Directors, and favors projects focused on the Boston & Albany/New York Central railroads, or Maine railroads.
The President’s Award is selected from among the Heritage Grants.
Funds for Heritage Grants are generated by the annual Railroad Hobby Show.
Heritage Grants application
Applying for Heritage Grants
Submissions for Heritage Grants must be made after April 1 and before May 31.
Send an e-mail with attachments to [email protected]. The subject line should include the phrase “Heritage Grants” and the name of the organization submitting the request.
Example: Heritage Grants – Your Organization Name Here
The e-mail body should briefly describe the project. It should also include the names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of two organization officers or members who can be available to receive the grant at the awards meeting in August.
Include the completed Application Form as an attachment. Also attach a one page description of the project and, if a continuing project, describe the progress to date. Include:
- information on whether matching funds are available and the amount
- other funding sources for the project
- the estimated total cost of the project
- funds requested from the Amherst Railway Society
- your IRS number
You may include up to five additional attachments – photos or other information that will help the Board of Directors evaluate the project.
Include as the last attachment a copy of your IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter.
You will receive an application confirmation.
The Amherst Railway Society does not accept hard-copy applications via surface mail.