Friends in Service of Heroes Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Friends in Service of Heroes supports active and reserve service members, honorably discharged veterans, and their families in the Greater Kansas City Area through three pillars of support: HEALTH (service dogs, mobility chairs, adaptability & resilience aids); RECOGNITION (heroes dinners, monthly veteran speaker series); and FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE to honor our nation's veterans and their families.
- Income
- $220,527
- Spending
- $132,594
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- 65.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 91%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 150
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
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 65.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 40% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $93,323 spent. F.I.S.H. focuses on improving the quality of life of our troops, our veterans, and their families in the Kansas City area. Our 3 Pillars, Health-Recognition-Support provides living assistance, food, durable medical equipment and service dogs and camaraderie to our troops. F.I.S.H. strongly emphasizes helping veterans and their families continue moving forward by providing tools to enhance their emotional and physical needs. We do this by providing specially trained service dogs to overcome Post-Traumatic Stress. We also provide mobility chairs and specialized outdoor Track Chairs so veterans can get out of the house and engage with the community. Our efforts extend beyond physical support. We believe in enhancing the morale and well-being of wounded soldiers through recreational activities. These activities, such as cookouts and outdoor sports like motorcycling, hunting, and fishing, are designed to reignite the spark in veterans' lives. By engaging them in activities they loved before their injuries, we aim to bring back a sense of normalcy and joy, reminding them that life can still be fulfilling and enjoyable. Providing emergency financial assistance to our nation's Veterans who are wounded, injured, or ill in the form of rent and mortgage payments to prevent homelessness and evictions. Utility payments, flights, and lodging are needed so family members can be together during recovery. Assistance is provided rapidly to our Veteran's needs within 24-48 hours, making payments directly to their creditors. In 2024, Friends In Service of Heroes (FISH) made a profound impact on the military community by providing 4 life-changing service dogs, feeding more than 1,000 people, and delivering 5 mobility chairs to veterans in need. The organization also supplied a new water heater, a new air conditioning unit, and distributed gift cards to 35 military families just in time for Christmas. Additionally, FISH hosted the largest Military Recognition event in a six-state region, drawing over 4,000 attendees in a powerful show of support and gratitude.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2013.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.