Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE FOUNDATION FOR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND EXPRESSION'S (FIRE'S) MISSION IS TO DEFEND AND SUSTAIN THE INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF ALL AMERICANS TO FREE SPEECH AND FREE THOUGHT-THE MOST ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF LIBERTY.(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)FIRE EDUCATES AMERICANS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE INALIENABLE RIGHTS, PROMOTES A CULTURE OF RESPECT FOR THESE RIGHTS, AND PROVIDES THE MEANS TO PRESERVE THEM. FIRE RECOGNIZES THAT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN PRESERVING FREE THOUGHT WITHIN A FREE SOCIETY. TO THIS END, WE PLACE A SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON DEFENDING THE INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF STUDENTS AND FACULTY MEMBERS ON OUR NATION'S CAMPUSES, INCLUDING FREEDOM OF SPEECH, FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION, DUE PROCESS, LEGAL EQUALITY, RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, AND SANCTITY OF CONSCIENCE.
- Income
- $40.0 million
- Spending
- $29.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 21.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 91%
- Employees
- 162
- Volunteers
- 17
- Highest pay
- $667,056, president and ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 21.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 13% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 20% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (11)
- $6.3 million spent. PUBLIC AWARENESS: FIRE EXECUTES BROAD COMMUNICATIONS EFFORTS TO GENERATE AWARENESS OF FREE SPEECH ISSUES. WE SEEK TO REACH MILLIONS OF AMERICANS BY GETTING OUR CASES AND COMMENTARY IN PRINT, PLACING OP-EDS, AND COORDINATING MEDIA APPEARANCES; PRODUCING CREATIVE AND COMPELLING CONTENT FOR OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS THAT IS EASILY DIGESTIBLE AND SHAREABLE; AND MAINTAINING A ROBUST PUBLICATIONS PROGRAM TO GET OUR THOUGHT LEADERSHIP IN FRONT OF THE EXPERTS THAT NEED TO SEE IT IN SCHOLARLY ARTICLES, ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS, BOOKS, AND MORE. IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025, FIRE RECEIVED 19,089 MEDIA MENTIONS; OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT RECEIVED 1.6 MILLION LIKES, COMMENTS, AND SHARES; AND OUR VIDEOS RECEIVED 10.4 MILLION VIEWS. OUR WEBSITE RECEIVED 4.7 MILLION VIEWS.
- $4.1 million spent. FIRE LITIGATION: FIRE STRATEGICALLY LITIGATES IN COURTS NATIONWIDE TO VINDICATE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS. IN SERVICE OF OUR EXPANDED MISSION TO DEFEND FREE SPEECH BOTH ON AND OFF CAMPUS, OUR LITIGATION PROGRAM IS GROWING INTO A PREMIER PUBLIC-INTEREST LAW FIRM FOR FREE EXPRESSION. FIRE ATTORNEYS REVIEW EACH AND EVERY CASE SUBMISSION WE RECEIVE AND ALSO PROACTIVELY SEEK OUT LEGAL CHALLENGES WITH THE POTENTIAL TO SECURE LASTING LEGAL PRECEDENTS, MAJOR PUBLIC-POLICY REFORM, OR CLEAR CULTURAL IMPACT. SINCE FIRE BEGAN LITIGATING IN 2014, FIRE'S LITIGATION PROGRAM HAS SECURED 42 VICTORIES AND NEARLY $4 MILLION IN DAMAGES AND FEES. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O.)
- $3.1 million spent. RESEARCH: FIRE'S RESEARCH TEAM GATHERS SIGNIFICANT DATA ON THE NATION'S CLIMATE FOR FREE EXPRESSION SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE CONCRETE EVIDENCE OF AMERICA'S FREE SPEECH CRISIS AND ARM ADVOCATES WITH TOOLS THEY CAN USE TO FIGHT CENSORSHIPS. THESE EFFORTS INCLUDE OUR FREE SPEECH INDEX, A QUARTERLY SURVEY ON NATIONAL ATTITUDES TOWARD FREE SPEECH, AND ANNUAL COLLEGE FREE SPEECH RANKINGS, THE NATION'S MOST COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CAMPUS CLIMATE FOR FREE EXPRESSION. IN ADDITION TO DIRECT LITIGATION, FIRE PARTICIPATES AS AMICUS CURIAE IN STRATEGICALLY CHOSEN CASES TO SUPPORT CRITICAL LEGAL ARGUMENTS AND ADVANCE IMPORTANT PRECEDENT. FINALLY, THE LITIGATION PROJECT WORKS TO POSITION FIRE AS A THOUGHT LEADER IN FIRST AMENDMENT JURISPRUDENCE BY PUBLISHING OPINION PIECES AND LEGAL SCHOLARSHIP, TEACHING CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION COURSES, AND RECRUITING LIKE-MINDED ATTORNEYS FOR OUR LEGAL NETWORK AND FACULTY LEGAL DEFENSE FUND. BETWEEN JULY 1, 2024 AND JUNE 30, 2025, FIRE WAS IN ACTIVE LITIGATION IN 32 CASES, FURTHERING ITS MISSION. 1. DIEI V. BOYD, ET AL., CASE NO. 23-5771 (6TH CIR.): FIRE REPRESENTS FORMER GRADUATE PHARMACY STUDENT KIMBERLY DIEI IN THIS LAWSUIT AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AND ITS ADMINISTRATORS. DIEI WAS INVESTIGATED TWICE BY HER PROGRAM'S "PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT COMMITTEE" BECAUSE OF ALLEGATIONS THAT HER PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITY WAS TOO "CRUDE," "VULGAR, AND "SEXUAL." AFTER THE DISTRICT COURT DISMISSED THE CASE ON THE PLEADINGS, DIEI APPEALED TO THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT, WHICH RULED IN DIEI'S FAVOR IN SEPTEMBER 2024. IN JANUARY 2025, THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AGREED TO PAY MS. DIEI $250,000 IN DAMAGES AND ATTORNEYS' FEES. THIS LAWSUIT FURTHERED FIRE'S MISSION BY SEEKING TO (A) PROTECT A STUDENT'S OFF-CAMPUS, EXTRAMURAL, AND ONLINE SPEECH AND (B) ESTABLISH CONSTITUTIONAL CONSTRAINTS ON A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY'S DISCRETION TO PUNISH EXPRESSION IT SUBJECTIVELY DEEMS "UNPROFESSIONAL." 2. FIRE V. TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY, CASE NO. 11-23-00232 (COURT OF APPEALS, 15TH CT. APP., TEX.): IN FEBRUARY 2022, FIRE SUED TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY FOR FAILING TO DISCLOSE PUBLIC RECORDS UNDER THE TEXAS PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT. FIRE SOUGHT INFORMATION ABOUT A FORMER PROFESSOR WHO THREATENED TO SUE THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER, TEXAN NEWS SERVICE, FOR DEFAMATION AFTER IT ACCURATELY REPORTED ON ALLEGATIONS OF HIS INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT TOWARD FEMALE STUDENTS. TARLETON PRESSURED THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER TO TAKE DOWN THE ARTICLES OR RISK LOSING FUNDING, THEN TOOK OVER THE PAPER, WHICH PREVIOUSLY HAD BEEN EDITORIALLY INDEPENDENT. THE TRIAL COURT ORDERED TARLETON TO PRODUCE THE RECORDS AND AWARDED FIRE ITS COSTS AND FEES. AFTER TARLETON MOVED TO RECONSIDER, THE COURT UPHELD ITS ORDER TO DISCLOSE THE RECORDS BUT REVERSED ITS GRANT OF COSTS AND FEES. IN MAY 2025, THE TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS REVERSED OUR WIN, HOLDING THE UNIVERSITY'S DECISION TO WITHHOLD "STUDENT RECORDS" UNDER FERPA IS NOT JUDICIALLY REVIEWABLE, EVEN AFTER FIRE ARGUED, WITH EVIDENTIARY SUPPORT, THAT SOME OF THE WITHHELD RECORDS DO NOT PERTAIN TO STUDENTS AT ALL. THIS LAWSUIT FURTHERED FIRE'S MISSION BY HOLDING PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR VIOLATIONS OF PRESS FREEDOM AND BY VIGOROUSLY PURSUING THE DISCLOSURE OF RECORDS MADE PUBLIC UNDER STATE OR FEDERAL LAW. 3. REGES V. CAUCE, CASE NO. 0:24-CV-03518 (9TH CIR.): FIRE REPRESENTS COMPUTER SCIENCE PROFESSOR STUART REGES, WHO FACES POTENTIAL TERMINATION FOR INCLUDING ON HIS SYLLABUS A SATIRICAL CRITIQUE OF THE "INDIGENOUS LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT" THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON ENCOURAGES FACULTY TO INCLUDE ON THEIR SYLLABI. UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATORS PUNISHED REGES FOR HIS PROTECTED SPEECH BY CENSORING THE ONLINE VERSION OF HIS SYLLABUS, CREATING A COMPETING SECTION OF HIS CLASS, AND INVESTIGATING HIM FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS UNDER A VAGUE POLICY THAT PROHIBITS "UNACCEPTABLE AND "INAPPROPRIATE" SPEECH. AFTER THE DISTRICT COURT DISMISSED REGES'S CLAIMS IN MAY 2024, FIRE APPEALED TO THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT, WHICH HEARD ORAL ARGUMENTS IN MAY 2025. WE ARE NOW AWAITING THE NINTH CIRCUIT'S DECISION. THIS LAWSUIT FURTHERS FIRE'S MISSION BY STANDING UP FOR FACULTY RIGHTS TO EXPRESS DISSENTING OPINIONS ON CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS AND TO MANAGE THE CONTENTS OF THEIR SYLLABI WITHOUT RETALIATION. 4. FLORES V. BENNETT, CASE NO. 22-01003 (E.D. CA.): FIRE REPRESENTED THE YOUNG AMERICANS FOR FREEDOM STUDENT GROUP AT CLOVIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN THIS LAWSUIT, WHICH CHALLENGED THE COLLEGE'S POLICY BANNING FLYERS WITH "INAPPROPRIATE OR OFFENS[IVE] LANGUAGE OR THEMES." CITING THIS POLICY, ADMINISTRATORS REMOVED THE GROUP'S ANTI-COMMUNISM FLYERS FROM THE INDOOR SCHOOL BULLETIN BOARDS AND REJECTED THE GROUP'S FLYERS WITH PRO-LIFE AND OTHER THEMES. IN AUGUST 2023, THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT UPHELD THE DISTRICT COURT'S INJUNCTION AGAINST THE COLLEGE'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL FLYER POLICY. IN JULY 2024, THE DISTRICT COURT ENTERED AN ORDER ON A JOINT MOTION FOR ENTRY OF A STIPULATED PERMANENT INJUNCTION, PART OF WHICH REQUIRED CCC TO PAY PLAINTIFFS $330,000 IN DAMAGES AND ATTORNEYS' FEES. THIS LAWSUIT FURTHERED FIRE'S MISSION BY PROTECTING STUDENTS' RIGHTS TO FREELY EXPRESS THEIR POLITICAL VIEWPOINTS AT PUBLIC COLLEGES. 5. NOVOA V. DIAZ, CASE NO. 22-13994 (11TH CIR.): IN THIS FIRST AMENDMENT CHALLENGE TO FLORIDA'S STOP WOKE ACT, FIRE REPRESENTS UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA PROFESSOR DR. ADRIANA NOVOA AND STUDENT GROUP USF FIRST AMENDMENT FORUM. THE ACT VIOLATES THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF FACULTY AND STUDENTS BY PROHIBITING "INSTRUCTION" ON EIGHT CONCEPTS RELATED TO "RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, OR SEX." AFTER THE DISTRICT COURT HALTED ENFORCEMENT OF KEY PARTS OF THE "POSITIVELY DYSTOPIAN" ACT, THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT DENIED FLORIDA'S REQUEST TO STAY THE PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION. ON APPEAL, 11 "FRIEND OF THE COURT" BRIEFS WERE FILED IN SUPPORT OF FIRE'S CLIENTS. THE CASE AWAITS A MERITS RULING BY THE
- $2.8 million spent. STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS: FIRE'S STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM INITIATES, CULTIVATES, AND MAINTAINS RELATIONSHIPS WITH FIRE'S GROWING LIST OF ALLIES. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, WE MONITOR AND MAINTAIN OPPORTUNITIES TO ENHANCE OUR WORK BY COLLABORATING WITH A WIDE RANGE OF PARTNERS.
- $2.6 million spent. CAMPUS RIGHTS ADVOCACY (CRA): FIRE CONTINUES TO PLACE A SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON DEFENDING THE INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF STUDENTS AND FACULTY MEMBERS ON CAMPUS, AND OUR CRA PROGRAM LEADS THESE EFFORTS. OUR EXPERT STAFF REVIEWS EVERY CASE SUBMISSION AND TAKES ACTION BY INTERVENING DIRECTLY WITH ADMINISTRATORS; USING FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA) REQUESTS OR THREATS TO SCHOOLS' ACCREDITATION; APPLYING PUBLIC PRESSURE TO SCHOOLS TO REVERSE RIGHTS VIOLATIONS; AND WORKING WITH STUDENTS AND FACULTY WITH OTHER MEANS OF CREATIVE ADVOCACY. IN THE 2024-25 FISCAL YEAR, FIRE'S CRA TEAM SECURED 82 VICTORIES.
- $1.6 million spent. LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY: FIRE'S LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY TEAM WORKS AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF FREE SPEECH-FRIENDLY LEGISLATION AND AGAINST PROPOSED LAWS THAT WOULD RESTRICT SPEECH. THE TEAM PROPOSES MODEL LEGISLATION, TESTIFIES BEFORE STATE AND FEDERAL BODIES, MEETS WITH POLICYMAKERS TO PROVIDE LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS, AND ISSUES PUBLIC COMMENTARY. IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25, THEY SECURED 20 LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES IN 11 STATES, SHORING UP CAMPUS DUE PROCESS RIGHTS, DEFEATING RESTRICTIONS ON ONLINE EXPRESSION, AND MORE.
- $970,629 spent. PUBLIC ADVOCACY: FIRE'S PUBLIC ADVOCACY DEPARTMENT ENGAGES IN NON-LITIGATION ADVOCACY TO DEFEND AND PROMOTE EXPRESSIVE RIGHTS AND A STRONG CULTURE OF FREE EXPRESSION. OUR EXPERT STAFF REVIEWS EVERY CASE SUBMISSION AND TAKES ACTION BY INTERVENING DIRECTLY WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, WHILE ENGAGING IN CREATIVE ADVOCACY SUCH AS EMAIL-WRITING CAMPAIGNS AND PETITIONS THAT APPLY PUBLIC PRESSURE TO BAD ACTORS TO REVERSE RIGHTS VIOLATIONS. IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25, THE PUBLIC ADVOCACY TEAM SECURED 17 VICTORIES.
- $913,085 spent. ENGAGEMENT & MOBILIZATION: FIRE'S ENGAGEMENT AND MOBILIZATION TEAM IS RAPIDLY BECOMING THE "HOME BASE" FOR AMERICA'S FREE SPEECH CONSTITUENCY, GIVING THEM THE COMMUNITY, THE KNOWLEDGE, AND THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO PROMOTE A CULTURE OF FREEEXPRESSION.
- $840,622 spent. POLICY REFORM PROJECT: OUR POLICY REFORM TEAM PROACTIVELY AND SYSTEMATICALLY DOCUMENTS AND EXPOSES CAMPUS POLICIES THAT VIOLATE COLLEGE STUDENTS' FREE SPEECH RIGHTS. THE CENTERPIECE OF THEIR WORK IS MAINTAINING FIRE'S SPOTLIGHT DATABASE, WHICH CATALOGS RESTRICTIONS ON FREE SPEECH ON OVER 475 CAMPUSES NATIONWIDE. THE TEAM ALSO WORKS TO REFORM POLICIES BY WRITING LETTERS, MEETING WITH ADMINISTRATORS, COORDINATING WITH CAMPUS CONSTITUENTS SUCH AS ALUMNI OR FACULTY, AND PROVIDING POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS. IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25, THE POLICY REFORM TEAM REFORMED 43 POLICIES ON 29 CAMPUSES, IMPACTING OVER 630,000 STUDENTS.
- $285,892 spent. FACULTY OUTREACH: THE FIRE FACULTY NETWORK CONDUCTS OUTREACH TO COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY FACULTY, CONNECTING THEM WITH A NETWORK THAT WILL GIVE THEM THE KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO PROMOTE ACADEMIC FREEDOM ON THEIR CAMPUSES.
- FIRE STUDENT DEVELOPMENT: FIRE'S STUDENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS EDUCATE AND EMPOWER HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, AND LAW STUDENTS TO DEFEND FREE SPEECH THROUGH STUDENT CONFERENCES, INTERNSHIPS, AND LEGAL FELLOWSHIPS. THESE PROGRAMS ARE ALSO HELPING FIRE BUILD THE NEXT GENERATION OF TALENTED FREE SPEECH LEADERS, MANY OF WHOM GO ON TO WORK WITH US. IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025, FIRE HOSTED 30 INTERNS AND 13 LEGAL FELLOWS AND CLERKS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1999.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.