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Empire Friendship Firefighters Association

EIN 25-1738667 · Carlisle, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF CARLISLE FIRE RESCUE SERVICES IS TO PROVIDE OUR COMMUNITY WITH THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF PROTECTION AGAINST MAN-MADE AND NATURAL DISASTERS, AND PROTECT THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF ALL THOSE WE SERVE. WE WILL RESPOND SAFELY AND QUICKLY WITH TRAINED, SKILLED, AND COMPASSIONATE MEMBERS AND USING THE BEST AVAILABLE EQUIPMENT, NEUTRALIZE AND MITIGATE ANY SITUATION OF THOSE IN NEED. WE WILL CONTINUE AGRESSIVE PLANNING AND RESPONSE PREPARATION, AND WILL STRIVE TO PREVENT THE NEED FOR OUR EMERGENCY SERVICES THROUGH EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY INTERACTION. OUR SERVICES SHALL BE DELIVERED BY A DEDICATED FAMILY OF VOLUNTEER MEMBERS COMMITTED TO EXCEEDING THE NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS OF THOSE WE SERVE. OUR PRIORITY IS THE PRESERVATION OF LIFE AND PROTECTION OF PROPERTY. WE WILL TREAT OUR MEMBERS, OUR EMPLOYEES AND OUR COMMUNITY WITH DIGNITY, COMPASSION, RESPECT AND DISCRETION AT ALL TIMES.

Income
$807,752
Spending
$753,668
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
15.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 90%
Employees
21
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$98,490, fire chief

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. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 96% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 8 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 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 (1)
  1. $691,187 spent. EACH YEAR CARLISLE FIRE & RESCUE RESPONDS TO OVER 1,017 EMERGENCY CALLS WITHIN THE BOROUGH OF CARLISLE AND SURROUNDING MUTUAL AID COMMUNITIES. THE FIRE COMPANY IS A VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION, IN WHICH OUR MEMBERS DONATE TIME IN RESPONDING TO EMERGENCY CALLS, TRAINING, AND FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES. THE FIRE COMPANY IS SUPPORTED THROUGH FUNDING BY THE BOROUGH OF CARLISLE AND SOME OF THE SURROUNDING MUTUAL AID COMMUNITIES. IN ADDITION TO THESE FUNDS OUR ORGANIZATION ALSO CONDUCTS VARIOUS FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES THROUGH CAR PARKING DURING CARLISLE EVENTS, AND OTHER VARIOUS EVENTS.

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 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 December 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 1994.

    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.