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Firelight Foundation

EIN 27-2795006 · Scotts Valley, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FIRELIGHT SUPPORTS CATALYTIC COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA THAT WORK WITH THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES TO REALIZE SHARED VISIONS OF SUSTAINABLE CHANGE AND TRUE POTENTIAL FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH.

Income
$3.8 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
48.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
5
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$213,648, 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 88% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 48.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 51% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 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

    5 of 5

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

  • 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 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. CHILD RIGHTS AND CHILD PROTECTIONFIRELIGHT FUNDED AND SUPPORTED 10 COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN MALAWI TO CATALYZE AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY-DRIVEN SYSTEMS CHANGE TO END CHILD MARRIAGE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. GRANTEES FACILITATED THEIR COMMUNITIES TO ANALYZE AND TAKE ACTION TO INFLUENCE THE DIFFERENT SYSTEMS THAT AFFECT FACTORS RELATED TO CHILD MARRIAGE, SUCH AS FAMILY ECONOMIC SECURITY, GIRLS' ACCESS TO SCHOOLING, TEENAGE PREGNANCY, NORMS AND PRACTICES AROUND SEXUALITY, ACCESS TO SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, AND EXPANDING GIRLS' OWN VISIONING OF THEIR FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES. FIRELIGHT ALSO FUNDED AND SUPPORTED SEVEN (7) YOUTH-LED ORGANIZATIONS IN KENYA TO WORK WITH THEIR COMMUNITIES TO IDENTIFY THE PRIORITY ISSUES FACING YOUTH IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND CARRY OUT ACTION PLANS TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES SUCH AS INCREASING YOUTH ACCESS TO GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT AND GREATER INCOMES THROUGH VOCATIONAL TRAINING, REDUCING WIDESPREAD DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES THROUGH AWARENESS-RAISING EFFORTS, CONNECTING YOUTH TO COMMUNITY MENTORS, AND SUPPORTING YOUTH TO ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE.
  2. $722,593 spent. CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATIONFIRELIGHT FUNDED AND SUPPORTED NINE (9) COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN RURAL ZAMBIA AND IN MALAWI TO IMPROVE EARLY CHILDHOOD ENVIRONMENTS AND OUTCOMES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. GRANTEES FACILITATED THEIR COMMUNITIES TO MAP OUT AND TAKE ACTION TO INFLUENCE THE DIFFERENT SYSTEMS AND STAKEHOLDERS THAT AFFECT CHILD WELLBEING SUCH AS FAMILY ECONOMIC SECURITY, PARENTING SKILLS, ACCESS TO A VARIETY OF NUTRITIOUS FOODS, QUALITY OF CARE AND EDUCATION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTERS, CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEMS, BELIEFS AND NORMS, AND GOVERNMENT POLICY.
  3. $52,000 spent. FIRELIGHT FUNDED A SENEGAL-BASED ORGANIZATION TO SURVEY AFRICAN CSOS THAT HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THE GLOBAL FUNDING FREEZE. THE SURVEY, WHICH GENERATED RESPONSES FROM 551 CSOS IN 42 AFRICAN COUNTRIES, PROVIDED VALUABLE INSIGHT ON WAYS AFRICAN CSOS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE FUNDING FREEZE. THE FINDINGS WILL HELP FUNDERS, POLICYMAKERS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS DEVELOP APPROPRIATE RESPONSES. FIRELIGHT ALSO SUPPORTED THE PARTNER ORGANIZATION TO DISSEMINATE FINDINGS THROUGH A PUBLISHED REPORT AND WEBINAR.

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 August 2010.

    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.