Kern Fire Safe Council
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of The Kern Fire Safe Council through education, collaboration, and action is to safeguard the people of our communities and their property from the effects of catastrophic wildfire.
- Income
- $213,792
- Spending
- $230,709
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 3.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Highest pay
- $32,004, vice chair
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
Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, under $250k).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 67% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Weak: 18 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, under $250k).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 (4)
- $106,825 spent. A Collaborative Kern County 2025" project funded by California Fire Safe Council. County Coordinator and Outreach Coordinator were able to build relationships between KernFire Safe Council and government agencies during collaborative meetings. The County Coordinator assisted in updating Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) and mapping current mitigation projects. The County Coordinator and Outreach Coordinator organized workshops,developed and presented community outreach and educational programs on defensible space, home hardening and Firewise Communities.
- $77,157 spent. Be Aware, Be Prepared: Defend Your Space! project funded by USDA/CWDG R1 focused on bringing wildfire hazard reduction to the community and the homeowner. Funding provided a project manager, outreach coordinator, and HIZ assessors with training. The Project Manager and Outreach Coordinator conducted outreach and education events to make the community members aware of the need to be actively involved in fire hazard reduction. The HIZ assessors provided on-site assessments and delivered reports to homeowners.
- $4,931 spent. Kern Fire Safe Council Fire Education House project funded by CAL FIRE-CCI/WPG. The grant funded KFSCs registration and participation in a series of high-visibility community events throughout the fiscal year including the Spring and Fall Home & Garden show which were 3 day events. The Outreach Coordinator set up booths to share strategies for reducing wildfire risk, answer questions, and demonstrate effective actions for homeowners. Educational materials were distributed, focusing on home hardening, defensible space, and Firewise certification. Brochures provided low-cost upgrades and checklists for maintaining a safe perimeter around homes. The Firewise handouts detailed program benefits, such as technical assistance and access to funding.
- Other program services (Describe on Schedule O.)
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 March 2007.
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.