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San Diego Fire Rescue Foundation

EIN 20-3461105 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO STRENGTHEN THE DEPARTMENT'S ABILITY TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING ENHANCED EQUIPMENT, TRAINING, TECHNOLOGY, AND ESSENTIAL PUBLIC EDUCATION AND PROGRAM RESOURCES.

Income
$598,272
Spending
$625,777
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
4.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
1
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$93,997, 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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 34% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 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 (4)
  1. $338,034 spent. PROVIDE SUPPORT DIRECTLY TO THE SAN DIEGO FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT, LIFEGUARDS AND SPECIALTY DIVISIONS
  2. $79,084 spent. WELLNESS CENTER: PROVIDES FIRST RESPONDERS WITH CRITICAL RESOURCES FOR PHYSICAL RECOVERY, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUPPORT, HEALTH SCREENINGS, AND OVERALL WELL-BEING SO THEY CAN STAY HEALTHY AND READY TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
  3. $51,487 spent. COMMUNITY OUTREACH & EDUCATION: CONNECTS THE SDFD WITH THE COMMUNITY THROUGH ESSENTIAL SAFETY EDUCATION, PREVENTION RESOURCES, AND HANDS-ON ENGAGEMENT. AS CITY RESOURCES FOR OUTREACH DECLINE, THIS WORK IS MORE CRITICAL THAN EVER TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY INFORMED AND PREPARED.
  4. $13,549 spent. GIRLS EMPOWERMENT CAMP: A FREE, HANDS-ON PROGRAM THAT BUILDS CONFIDENCE, LEADERSHIP, AND LIFE-SAVING SKILLS BY IMMERSING TEENS IN REAL-WORLD FIRE AND LIFEGUARD TRAINING ALONGSIDE PROFESSIONAL FIRST RESPONDERS.

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

  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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2005.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.