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Chicago Fire Department Foundation

EIN 45-5005192 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CFD FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THE CRITICAL LIFESAVING WORK OF THE CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT. SEE SCHEDULE O.THE FOUNDATION WILL WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND ITS MEMBERS TO SUPPORT ITS MOST CRUCIAL PRIORITIES; TO REDUCE FIREFIGHTER, PARAMEDIC, AND CIVILIAN DEATHS AND INJURY. THE FOUNDATION WILL SUPPORT CFD INITIATIVES FOR EDUCATION, FIRE PREVENTION, TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT NEEDS THAT ARE NOT FUNDED THROUGH CITY, STATE OR FEDERAL BUDGETS. THE FOUNDATION WILL ASSIST THE FIREFIGHTERS/PARAMEDICS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN TIME OF NEED.

Income
$350,758
Spending
$323,442
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
39.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
15

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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 39.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 98% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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.

  • 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 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 (3)
  1. $33,271 spent. FIRE SAFETY EDUCATION - PROVIDES PROGRAMS/FUNDING TO THE CFD TO EDUCATE, INFORM AND INVOLVE THE PUBLIC IN PROTECTING LIFE AND PROPERTY IN THE EVENT OF EMERGENCY. THE FOUNDATION, THROUGH THE STATE-OF-THE-ART VIRTUAL REALITY EDUCATION PROGRAM, PROVIDES CHICAGO AREA PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS STUDENTS WITH FIRE SAFETY EDUCATION AND SAFETY. IN 2025 HUNDREDS OF SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN IN CHICAGO COMPLETED THE VIRTUAL REALITY SAFETY AND EDUCATION PROGRAM.
  2. $109,924 spent. LODD AND HEROES PROGRAM - ASSISTS THE FAMILIES OF FIREFIGHTERS AND PARAMEDICS IN TIMES OF NEED. LODD AND HEROES PROGRAMS PROVIDE BURIAL ASSISTANCE, PIPES AND DRUMS FOR FUNERAL PROCESSIONS, AND SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS TO THE CHILDREN OF FALLEN HEROES. DURING 2025, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDED SUPPORT TO ONE (1) LINE OF DUTY DEATH, FIVE (5) ACTIVE MEMBERS ACTIVE MEMBERS WHO PASSED AWAY, AND FIVE (5) MEMBERS WHO ARE BATTLING SERIOUS INJURIES AND ILLNESS. WE PROVIDED BACK-TO-SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 28 FAMILIES AND 49 CHILDREN OF LINE OF DUTY DEATHS AND PROVIDED EIGHT (8) SCHOLARSHIPS SUPPORTING THE GOLD BADGE SOCIETY.
  3. $85,424 spent. ADVOCACY AND DONATIONS - THE PROGRAM PROVIDED FIRE AND CO ALARMS TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, AND DONATIONS TO CHARITIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES AND SUPPORT TO THE CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT. APPROXIMATELY 3,500 00 FIRE AND CO ALARMS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES THROUGH 4 FOOD PANTRIES AND SENIOR CITIZEN CENTERS ACROSS CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOODS. THE ADVOCACY PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDED 6 SCHOLARSHIPS TO GRADUATES FROM THE CHICAGO POLICE FIRE TRAINING ACADEMY (CPFTA), FUNDING FOR THE CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT PIPES AND DRUMS, SUPPORTED THE ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE AND MASS, AND CELEBRATED FIRST RESPONDENTS BY PROVIDING 800 "GRAB AND GO LUNCHES" TO CHICAGO FIREFIGHTERS AND PARAMEDICS.

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 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 December 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 September 2012.

    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.