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Red Lodge Fire Rescue Foundation

EIN 38-3763630 · Red Lodge, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To Provide Financial and Other Support to Fire and Emergency Medical Service Organizations and Providers Serving the Greater Red Lodge, Montana Community.

Income
$165,522
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
1
Volunteers
120
Highest pay
$67,968, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1048% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 79% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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, 2024, 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 (7)
  1. $1.8 million spent. PROVIDE A VEHICLE TO RAISE FUNDS TO SUPPORT CONSTUCTION OF A NEW TRAINING CENTER AND STATION BUILDING FOR THE RED LODGE FIRE DISTRICT. FULL TITLE OF THE TRAINING TOWER AND FIRE STATION WAS GRANTED TO THE RED LODGE FIRE DISTRICT #7 IN 2024.
  2. $48,339 spent. PROVIDE FINANCIAL AND GENERAL SUPPORT TO FIRE, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE, AND SEARCH AND RESCUE SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND PROVIDERS SERVING THE GREATER RED LODGE, MONTANA COMMUNITY.
  3. $18,821 spent. PROVIDE GRANTS TO RED LODGE FIRE DISTRICT #7 TO FUND PURCHASES OF FURNISHINGS AND OFFICE FIXTURES FOR FIRE STATIONS #71 AND #73. GRANTS AMOUNTED TO $ 18,821
  4. $4,019 spent. GRANTED TO RED LODGE EMS SERVICE $ 4,019 TO FUND INFORMATIONAL PUBLICATION OF SERVICES PROVIDED TO CARBON COUNTY RESIDENTS.
  5. $3,563 spent. PROVIDE GRANTS TO RED LODGE FIRE DISTRICT #7 TO FUND EQUIPMENT PURCHASES FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE PURPOSES.
  6. $2,500 spent. PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LOCAL COLLEGE STUDENTS SEEKING EDUCATION IN HEALTH OR SAFETY RELATED CAREERS. DURING 2024, TWO SCHOLARSHIPS WERE AWARDED FOR A TOTAL OF $ 2,500.
  7. $2,153 spent. PROVIDE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL AND OTHER SUPPORT TO FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVUALS SERVING THE RED LODGE AREA. DURING 2024 TWO FAMILIES WERE AWARDED GRANTS TO HELP OFFSET COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH MEDICAL EMERGENGIES

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 2008.

    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.