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Novato Fire Foundation

EIN 20-1223584 · Novato, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF OUR COMMUNITIES BY HARNESSING THE GOODWILL OF OUR FIREFIGHTERS AND THOSE WHO SUPPORT US.

Income
$83,332
Spending
$73,892
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
43.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 75%
Employees
0
Volunteers
80

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 43.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 65 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (20)
  1. $21,390 spent. GOLF TOURNAMENT TO RAISE FUNDS TO SUPPORT CAUSES
  2. $12,748 spent. FIRE SQUIRTS-Designed for the enrichment of children 10-14 years old, teaching them teamwork, discipline and self confidence in a weeklong fire academy at our Station 62 training center. Children are selected by Marin Advocates for Children, Marin Big Brothers Big Sisters, Novato Youth Center and Novato Parks, Recreation and Community Services.
  3. $9,383 spent. HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE - Provides toys, bikes and gift cards to local disadvantaged children throughout our communities every holiday season, continuing a long-standing Novato Firefighter tradition.
  4. $5,010 spent. AED program provides 100 Automatic External Defibrillators (AED's) throughout our communities in strategic locations and inside every Novato Police cruiser. This program also maintains the AED's by providing pads, batteries and updates as necessary.
  5. $3,354 spent. PANCAKE BREAKFAST
  6. $3,000 spent. SCHOLARSHIPS - provided to less privileged youth
  7. $2,000 spent. ALISA ANN RUCH BURN FOUNDATION
  8. $742 spent. CALIFORNIA FIRE FOUNDATION
  9. $675 spent. PROGRAM EXPENSES GENERAL
  10. $500 spent. GOFUNDME
  11. $500 spent. CHILDRENS HOSPITAL FUNDRAISER- COSTCO
  12. $100 spent. FIREFIGHTER HISTORICAL - to preserve the history of the Novato fire service by making available to the public a collection of historical firefighting equipment and visual displays that pay tribute to the previous and current generations of firefighters
  13. CHILI COMPANY PROGRAM- Our team of Firefighter Chefs, led by Executive Head Chef Marvin Blandon entertains and competes up and down the state to bring home pride and financial donations.
  14. FIRE VICTIMS 2017- to help various local firefighters from several local precincts In Sonoma and Napa counties and to assist the many firefighters and their families who've lost homes.
  15. MUSEUM - to preserve the history of the Novato fire service by making available to the public a collection of historical firefighting equipment and visual displays that pay tribute to the previous and current generations of firefighters
  16. DAGUE FAMILY CHARITABLE DONATION
  17. MERCHANDISE PURCHASES
  18. PROGRAM FOOD PURCHASES
  19. OTHER SMALL SPECIAL EVENTS
  20. HAMILTON RYAN

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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 September 7, 2026.

  2. 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 September 30, 2026.

  3. 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2004.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. 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 7, 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.