Fdny Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE FDNY FOUNDATION IS THE OFFICIAL NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION OF THE NEW YORK CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT (FDNY) TO HELP THE FDNY SAVE LIVES AND PROTECT PROPERTY. WE FUND FDNY PROGRAMS IN FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY IN THE COMMUNITY, AND EQUIPMENT, TRAINING, EDUCATION AND HEALTH AND WELLNESS NEEDS FOR FDNY MEMBERS.
- Income
- $10.2 million
- Spending
- $9.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 93%
- Reserves
- 29.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 78%
- Employees
- 7
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $280,059, executive director
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 86% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 29.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 37% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1593% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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 47% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 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 (3)
- $2.0 million spent. FIRE ZONE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM - THE FDNY FOUNDATION OPERATES THE FIREZONE, A NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART LEARNING CENTER LOCATED IN MIDTOWN MANHATTAN IN ROCKEFELLER CENTER. THE FDNY FIRE ZONE PROVIDES FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY EDUCATION TO THOUSANDS OF SCHOOL CHILDREN, ADULTS AND VISITORS EACH YEAR. AT THE FIRE ZONE, VISITORS EXPERIENCE THE DANGERS OF FIRE AND UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE SAFETY AND PREVENTION.
- $5.5 million spent. FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY PROGRAMS - THE FDNY FOUNDATION FUNDS EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT FOR FDNY MEMBERS TO SERVE THE PUBLIC TO SAVE LIVES AND PROTECT PROPERTY. FUNDING INCLUDES THE FDNY FIRE SAFETY EDUCATION UNIT, THE FDNY CPR UNIT, COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, YOUTH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND AN ARRAY OF PROGRAMS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC IN FIRE AND SAFETY. THIS INCLUDES A COMPREHENSIVE SMOKE/CO ALARM INSTALLATION IN THOUSANDS OF HI FIRE RISK HOMES.
- $969,242 spent. WELLNESS PROGRAMS - THE FDNY FOUNDATION HELPS TO FUND VARIOUS FDNY HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS TO HELP MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND THEIR FAMILIES IMPACTED BY SICKNESS, TRAGEDY AND OTHER CHALLENGES. THIS SUPPORT INCLUDES THE FDNY COUNSELING PROGRAM, FAMILY ASSISTANCE UNIT, 9/11 HEALTH AND WELLNESS INITIATIVES. THE FDNY FOUNDATION FUNDING ALSO SUPPORTS VARIOUS TRAINING, FITNESS, HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROJECTS TO HELP FIRST RESPONDERS STAY IN OPTIMAL CONDITION.
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 April 1982.
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.