Passes our checks

Palermo Volunteer Fire Corporation

EIN 16-1220492 · Fulton, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

What it says it does

THE CORPORATION IS ORGANIZED TO PROVIDE FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES AS WELL AS ASSIST OSWEGO COUNTY 911 DISPATCH IN FIRE RELATED MATTERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
0 of 35
Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20
It owes 26% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 20% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
25 of 25
38 of 38 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15
Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8
Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7
Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5
Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10
Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15
Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10
Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$229,664 spent. TO PROVIDE FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES TO THE TOWN OF PALERMO AS WELL ASTO EDUCATE THE RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN IN ALL FIRE SAFETY MATTERS. RESPONDED TO 394 CALLS IN THE CALENDAR YEAR, HOSTED ACTIVITIES SUCH AS PALERMO COMMUNITY DAY IN CONJUNCTION WITH A LOCAL METHODIST CHURCH, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS. PROVIDED FIRE PREVENTION MATERIALS TO THE LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. SPONSORED THE ANNUAL HALLOWEEEN TRUNK AND TREAT WITH A LOCAL CHURCH. HOSTED TRIPS FOR STUDENTS OF PRE-KINDERGARTEN CLASSES TO TOUR THE FIRE STATION, AND INSTRUCTED CPR CLASSES FOR COMMUNITY GROUP MEMBERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on July 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on January 15, 2020.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 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 February 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 March 2020.
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 November 4, 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.