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The Dickey Foundation

EIN 47-2343434 · Plano, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIREFIGHTERS, AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EVERY DAY, SERVING THE PUBLIC. THE FOUNDATION ALSO CREATES PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COMMUNITIES THAT ARE CRUCIAL IN ORCHESTRATING CRIME REDUCTION PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES.

Income
$305,182
Spending
$441,163
Spent on programs
58%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
35

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: 35 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 80% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 45% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 44% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    58% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 46 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    6 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 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)
  1. $255,856 spent. THE DICKEY FAMILYS EVOLUTION IN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND CIVIC STEWARDSHIP IS THE DICKEY FOUNDATION. THE FOUNDATION, ENTHUSIASTICALLY LED BY MAURINE DICKEY, SUPPORTS LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIREFIGHTERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE FOUNDATION IS NATIONAL, YET THE SUPPORT IS INTENSELY LOCAL, BENEFITING LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIREFIGHTERS WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EVERY DAY, SERVING THE PUBLIC. THIS IS A WAY FOR DICKEYS BARBECUE TO SERVE IN RETURN. THE DICKEY FOUNDATION ALSO CREATES PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COMMUNITIES THAT ARE CRUCIAL IN ORCHESTRATING CRIME REDUCTION PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES. THE FOUNDATION INDIRECTLY SERVES BY PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO THE PUBLIC THAT WILL ENHANCE SAFETY, BUILD CAREER AWARENESS, ENCOURAGE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AND PROVIDE FUNDS TO ENHANCE THESE SERVICES.

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 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 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 May 2015.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: The Foundation (Houston, TX), EIN 92-0742101. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.