This may seem inappropriate at this time, considering that so many of the dead haven't even been found yet, but I wonder what effect this tragedy will have on traditional non-profit funding sources?

It would seem that things like TEA-21, private grants and other monies may quickly become a thing of the past for all but those organizations that directly relieve human suffering. Any thoughts?

bobyar2001@yahoo.com

> This may seem inappropriate at this time,
> considering that so many of the dead haven't
> even been found yet, but I wonder what
> effect this tragedy will have on traditional
> non-profit funding sources?

> It would seem that things like TEA-21,
> private grants and other monies may quickly
> become a thing of the past for all but those
> organizations that directly relieve human
> suffering. Any thoughts?

Bob:

Absolutely no question about this. Actually, it's been in the works for sometime. United Way is a good example as they limited their scope to those charitable organizations that directly provide community resources.

Community involvement will become a more essential role than ever before and we all will need to do our part (and more) if we expect any support for our projects.

rogerc38@aol.com

I think the impact on Federal funding will be limited or nonexistant in the short and medium term. Programs like TEA-21 are authorized on five year cycles, and administered through a distributed system which involves State departments of transportation. The process can't really be easily turned on and off, and the funds we're talking about are a miniscule drop in the bucket even of the DOT budget much less the Federal budget.

Moreover, Congress has little desire to curb this type of spending for the simple reason that it acts as fiscal stimulus to bolster the shakey economy. You are actually more likely to see an increase in Federal funding for all types of infrastructure spending (which TEA-21 is) is as part of a Keynesian economic stimulus package than cutbacks.

Private foundation funding is another matter entirely. Here the issue is more likely to be foundations cutting back on spending across the board due to reduced performance of their endowment investment portfolios than a change in funding priorities. Funding priorities are set by the donor and the board of directors of the foundation and may or may not be susceptible to revision in response to short-term events.

A more likely concern in our little world is the prospect for organizing "big ticket" events like the B&O Museum's proposed Railfair. The picture for fundraising and planning for that type of event has changed completely.


eledbetter@rypn.org

> I think the impact on Federal funding will
> be limited or nonexistant in the short and
> medium term. Programs like TEA-21 are
> authorized on five year cycles, and
> administered through a distributed system
> which involves State departments of
> transportation. The process can't really be
> easily turned on and off, and the funds
> we're talking about are a miniscule drop in
> the bucket even of the DOT budget much less
> the Federal budget.

> Moreover, Congress has little desire to curb
> this type of spending for the simple reason
> that it acts as fiscal stimulus to bolster
> the shakey economy. You are actually more
> likely to see an increase in Federal funding
> for all types of infrastructure spending
> (which TEA-21 is) is as part of a Keynesian
> economic stimulus package than cutbacks.

> Private foundation funding is another matter
> entirely. Here the issue is more likely to
> be foundations cutting back on spending
> across the board due to reduced performance
> of their endowment investment portfolios
> than a change in funding priorities. Funding
> priorities are set by the donor and the
> board of directors of the foundation and may
> or may not be susceptible to revision in
> response to short-term events.

> A more likely concern in our little world is
> the prospect for organizing "big
> ticket" events like the B&O
> Museum's proposed Railfair. The picture for
> fundraising and planning for that type of
> event has changed completely.

There is the question of visitors after this tragedy. A friend and I attended the second day of Monticello Railway Museums "Railroad Days" this past Sunday. Someone from MRM stated that they had "about 500 visitors" on Saturday and I did not hear about Sunday although attendance seemed good. I do not know how it compared to previous "Railroad Days." It might help over the balance of the year if museums and tourist railroads that keep attendance figures, let us know how attendance holds up. My gut feeling is that there may be somewhat of a drop off but not a serious one. Many Americans feel that we "must get back to normal otherwise the bad guys win." This pertains to museum visits as well as other activities.


midlandblb@cs.com

I was working at the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis on last Saturday and we got a lot of calls from people asking if we were open. A lot of places were closed and we were able to offer them a place to come and have an enjoyable day with the kids away from the news of terrorism. Our attendance of 433 was more than I expected, given the mood in the country in general. Offering a nostalgic experience is a factor that we can stress in these times of troubles.

Museum of Transportation
rdgoldfede@aol.com

One of the groups I am in, the Missoula Model Railroad Club, held its annual show on Sunday, September 16, with no notable loss of attendance, though people tended to spend less overall. I suspect that if a group provides a positive experience they will do well. The general economy will have a greater impact on visitation and spending as people watch their discretionary spending.

> I was working at the Museum of
> Transportation in St. Louis on last Saturday
> and we got a lot of calls from people asking
> if we were open. A lot of places were closed
> and we were able to offer them a place to
> come and have an enjoyable day with the kids
> away from the news of terrorism. Our
> attendance of 433 was more than I expected,
> given the mood in the country in general.
> Offering a nostalgic experience is a factor
> that we can stress in these times of
> troubles.


mikefrommontana@juno.com

Here in New York State at least, the TEA-21 Transportation Enhancement program is proceeding normally. The applications for the 2nd round of TE under the TEA-21 authorization is due Nov. 1.


Trolley Museum of New York
info@tmny.org