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The Maryland State Firefighters Association Inc

EIN 23-7126787 · Crofton, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SERVE, PROMOTE, ADOVACTE AND REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF THE VOLUNTEER FIRE, RESCUE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES OF MARYLAND.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
12.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 77%
Employees
1
Volunteers
25,000
Highest pay
$85,000, 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 82% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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 (3)
  1. $1.6 million spent. Education and Training. The MSFA offers relevant and needed educational opportunities and training programs to the 358 volunteer fire departments throughout the State of Maryland and their individual members. The Annual Conference and Convention provides classroom experiences and hands-on training opportunities. Continuing education credits are provided. MSFA provides many member benefits to help with volunteer recruitment and retention, from grant-funded tuition assistance, to training, to educational seminars and conferences. MSFA collects and shares data regarding membership, recruitment and retention, training equipment usage and other information to have an impact on all levels of government as it relates to the services our members provide. MSFA develops, produces and distributes written and media materials that emphasize fire and injury prevention messages in local communities and statewide.
  2. $43,550 spent. Ladies Auxiliary of the MSFAs Bessie Marshall Fund. The Bessie Marshall Fund supports firefighters who become ill, outside of the line-of-duty, to assist with their expenses to pay medical bills, maintain their home, and pay household bills. The fund is available to all volunteer firefighters in the State of Maryland.
  3. $365,312 spent. State of Maryland Relief Fund - administers several benefit programs for firefighters and their families in the State of Maryland, including: Death benefits for volunteer firefighters, rescue squad personnel, or ambulance personnel killed in the line of duty; benefits for disabled firefighters, rescue squad personnel, or ambulance personnel injured in the line of duty; benefits for widows and dependent children; education for dependent children of permanently disabled or deceased volunteers whose disability or death has been caused while performing his or her duties as a volunteer firefighter, rescue squad or ambulance personnel.

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 October 13, 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 July 2020.

    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 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.