The Front Line Foundation

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE FRONT LINE FOUNDATION, A MINNESOTA NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, IS TO BACK THE BADGE AND SUPPORT OUR FALLEN HEROES INCLUDING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, SWAT TEAM MEMBERS, FIREFIGHTERS, EMTS, AND MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS. THE FOUNDATION WORKS TO PROVIDE: FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THOSE WHO HAVE DIED WHILE IN THE LINE OF DUTY WHILE SERVING IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, BY AWARDING BENEFIT PAYMENTS TO DEPENDENTS OF THE FALLEN FIRST RESPONDER(S); AND UNDERWRITING SCHOLARSHIPS AND TRAINING REGISTRATION COSTS FOR MEMBERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SWAT TEAMS, AS WELL AS SUPPORT PREPAREDNESS TRAINING FOR SAFETY OFFICERS IN HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS, AND CHURCHES; ASSISTANCE WITH THE PURCHASE OF NEEDED SAFETY AND TACTICAL EQUIPMENT NOT CURRENTLY WITHIN THE BUDGET OF THE LOCAL UNIT OF GOVERNMENT; AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INJURIED WHILE IN THE LINE OF DUTY TO HELP WITH THEIR RECOVERY.

Income

$122,925

Spending

$153,684

Spent on programs

100%

Reserves

9.8 months of spending

Largest source of income

donations and private grants, 49%

Employees

0

Volunteers

10

Highest pay

$70,667, president &

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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

• Reserves

  28 of 35

  Spendable reserves would cover 9.8 months of spending.

• Debt

  20 of 20

  It owes 0% of what it owns.

• Living within its means

  0 of 15

  Spending exceeded income by 25% of income.

• Income trend

  0 of 15

  Income fell 50% on the year before.

• Spending floor

  15 of 15

  100% 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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

• Independent board

  25 of 25

  14 of 14 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

  0 of 10

  Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

• Pay set independently

  0 of 5

  Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

• 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.

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. check_circle

   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. check_circle

   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. check_circle

   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. check_circle

   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 September 7, 2026.

5. check_circle

   How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

   Recognized by the IRS since October 2015.

   Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

6. check_circle

   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.

7. info

   Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

   A much larger organization has a similar name: The Linux Foundation (Wilmington, DE), EIN 46-0503801. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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