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Kilbourn Fire Department

EIN 39-1468475 · Wisc Dells, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PRESERVE LIFE AND PROPERTY IN THE CASE OF FIRE AND OTHER EMERGENCIES; AND TO PROMOTE THROUGH FIRE SAFETY EDUCATION THE PREVENTION OF SUCH FIRE AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

Income
$91,500
Spending
$87,564
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
68.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Employees
0
Volunteers
9

Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 68.7 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 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2026, 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. $75,620 spent. THE KILBOURN FIRE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES FIRE PROTECTION AND EMERGENCY RESCUE SERVICES TO THE CITY OF WISCONSIN DELLS AND ITS SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.THE KILBOURN FIRE DEPARTMENT IS A COMPLETELY UNPAID VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND PROUDLY PROTECTS 7,600 PEOPLE LIVING IN AN AREA OF 210 SQUARE MILES. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES OUT OF ONE STATION THAT PROTECTS A PRIMARILY RURAL AREA. THE DEPARTMENT IS A PUBLIC DEPARTMENT WHOSE MEMBERS ARE ON A VOLUNTEER STATUS. MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES 36 ACTIVE AND 56 RETIRED MEMBERS. AS A POPULAR TOURIST AREA, THE LOCAL POPULATION FREQUENTLY SWELLS TO OVER 100,000 IN THE SUMMER MONTHS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2026, 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 January 2026.

    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 1985.

    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.

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.