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First Responders Foundation

EIN 26-3499345 · Omaha, NE

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FIRST RESPONDERS FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO SERVE AND HONOR ALL OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, BUILD APPRECIATION AND RESPECT FOR THEIR WORK, AND ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
9.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
13
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$126,500, president

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.6 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 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 10 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

    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 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 (4)
  1. $208,766 spent. PHYSICAL HEALTH PROGRAM: GRACIE JIU-JITSU OMAHA OFFERS JIU-JITSU FOR ALL AGES AT ALL LEVELS. PRIMARILY SERVING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SEEKING MORE HUMANE WAYS TO INTERACT WITH CITIZENS THEY ENCOUNTER. BRAZILIAN JIUJITSU IS A MARTIAL ART THAT USES NO STRIKING, INSTEAD USES WEIGHT AND LEVERAGE TO CONTROL AND DE-ESCALATE A SITUATION. THESE TECHNIQUES HAVE RESULTED IN DRAMATICALLY LESS INJURY TO EITHER PARTY, SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED USE OF TASERS AND SERVICE WEAPONS. ALLOWING COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO TRAIN ALONGSIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AS A WAY TO DEMONSTRATE OFFICERS ARE LEARNING SKILLS TO REDUCE HARMFUL INTERACTIONS.
  2. $164,394 spent. JAVELAN PROGRAM: FUNDING FOR MILITARY VETERANS AND RETIRED FIRST RESPONDERS FOR SERVICE DOG TRAINING.
  3. $156,009 spent. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAM: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ALL FIRST RESPONDERS (PAID AND NON-PAID) AND THEIR FAMILIES. CLINICIANS PROVIDE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES INCLUDING IN-PERSON THERAPY SESSIONS, TELEHEALTH THERAPY SESSIONS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE EVALUATIONS AND COUNSELING. OTHER AVAILABLE SERVICES INCLUDE SUPPORT GROUPS, PEER SUPPORT TRAINING, RESILIENCY AND SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING, AND WORKSHOPS DESIGNED TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF STRESS AND TRAUMA UPON FIRST RESPONDERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
  4. $549,784 spent. RESPONDER PROJECT SUPPORT: PURCHASING NEEDED EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND TRAINING FOR VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS.CHAPTER PROGRAM: COMMITTEE CHAPTERS ARE LOCATED IN THE REGION TO EXPAND THE GEOGRAPHIC REACH OF SUPPORT TO FIRST RESPONDERS, VETERANS, AND THEIR FAMILIES.COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND AWARENESS: PROMOTES PUBLIC AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION FOR FIRST RESPONDERS THROUGH VARIOUS EVENTS, INCLUDING APPRECIATION LUNCHES, ACTION DAY, & AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE.PUBLIC SAFETY: SUPPORTS PUBLIC SAFETY EFFORTS, SUCH AS THE PURCHASE AND COLLABORATION OF INSTALLATION OF FIRE DETECTORS.

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 February 2009.

    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.

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