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Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc

EIN 43-1771385 · Kansas City, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To champion the inclusion of students with disabilities in Catholic schools by providing educational resources, fundraising and promoting a culture of belonging.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
5.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 82%
Employees
5
Volunteers
220
Highest pay
$88,613, executive director (6/2024-2/2025)

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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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 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 (4)
  1. $863,401 spent. For the 2024-25 academic year, FIRE provided financial grants to 15 Catholic schools, located within the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph totaling over $735,000 so that children with special needs can be educated alongside peers, in their home parish schools or Diocesan high school. These grants assist with the costs of salaries for special education teachers, para-educators as well as resources, technology, and professional development for educators.
  2. $121,323 spent. FIRE continued providing Speech-Language Therapy services at partner schools. During 2024-25, 9 schools received speech and language services, and 8 schools received occupational therapy services. Students at these schools were able to receive school-based therapy services rather than leaving the school to receive services elsewhere. Evaluations from educators and families were highly favorable.
  3. $257,014 spent. FIRE Foundation continued its role as an advocate for inclusive Catholic education by lending expertise to other school communities endeavoring to welcome students with special needs. FIRE Foundation continued to work with individuals and groups across the country, sharing our model of inclusion support and advocacy. FIRE is now guiding the development and growth of the following affiliates: FIRE Foundation of Northwest Iowa FIRE Foundation of New Hampshire FIRE Foundation of Central Illinois FIRE Foundation of Dallas FIRE Foundation of NE Florida FIRE Foundation of Northern Kentucky FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa FIRE Foundation of Milwaukee and FIRE Foundation of Denver FIRE Foundation of Wichita FIRE Foundation of Sacramento
  4. $26,862 spent. FIRE held its Biannual Inclusion in Action Conference which is designed for Catholic school professionals and community members who desire to welcome and support children and students with disabilities and learning differences, for those considering inclusive education opportunities in their school for the very first time or for those seeking new information to strengthen and expand an existing inclusion program. This conference provides valuable information to teachers, administrators, parents, and community members interested in inclusion.

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 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 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 July 1997.

    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.