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International Association of Fire Fighters Foundation

EIN 61-1629460 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THEIR TIME OF NEED, PROMOTE FIRE AND BURN PREVENTION, ADVOCATE FOR FIRE FIGHTER HEALTH AND SAFETY, AND PROVIDE PUBLIC EDUCATION ON HOW TO PREVENT AND RECOVER FROM TRAUMATIC EVENTS.

Income
$4.1 million
Spending
$3.5 million
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
12.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 40%
Employees
0
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$530,062, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 9 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

    0 of 5

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

  • 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 September 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 (5)
  1. $1.1 million spent. THE IAFF FALLEN FIRE FIGHTER MEMORIAL FUND:THE IAFF FALLEN FIRE FIGHTER MEMORIAL FUND SUPPORTS THE FAMILIES OF THE FALLEN WHO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEMORIAL SERVICE IN COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, WHICH HONORS THE SACRIFICE MADE BY IAFF MEMBERS WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES IN THE LINE OF DUTY.
  2. $1.7 million spent. THE BURN FUND:WHEN AN IAFF MEMBER OR THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER SUFFERS A BURN INJURY, THE BURN FUND PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR TEMPORARY EMERGENCY EXPENSES. ADDITIONALLY, A BURN SURVIVOR PEER SUPPORT NETWORK IS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE IAFF TO ASSIST IAFF MEMBERS WHO EXPERIENCE ABURN INJURY ON THEIR PATH TO HEALING AND RECOVERY. THE IAFF BURN FUND ALSO HOSTS A CHILDREN'S BURN CAMP ANNUALLY IN WASHINGTON, DC. THE CAMP IS A LIFE-CHANGING OPPORTUNITY FOR BURN SURVIVORS AGES 13-15 AND THE FIRE FIGHTERS/CAMP COUNSELORS WHO WORK TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE.
  3. $212,196 spent. INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS DISASTER RELIEF FUND:THE DISASTER RELIEF FUND PROVIDES IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP DISPLACED FIRE FIGHTERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WHILE THEY CONTINUE TO SERVE THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES IN THE AFTERMATH OF A NATURAL DISASTER AND WHO HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED LOSSES OF THEIR OWN. THE DISASTER RELIEF FUND HAS PROVIDED MORE THAN $5 MILLION IN ASSISTANCE SINCE ITS INCEPTION. IN SUPPORT OF ITS MEMBERS, THE IAFF ALSO MOBILIZES A COMPREHENSIVE DISASTER RESPONSE EFFORT TO ASSIST MEMBERS IN ADISASTER REGION AND ESTABLISHES A COMMAND CENTER TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING PEER COUNSELING SUPPORT, MINOR HOME REPAIRS AND FINANCIAL AID TO HELP WITH IMMEDIATE EXPENSES FOR THEIR FAMILIES IN THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH OF AN EVENT.
  4. $395,562 spent. THE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FUND:THE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FUND PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR IAFF MEMBERS STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION, PTSD, AND OTHER RELATED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CHALLENGES TO RECEIVE THE HELP THEY NEED IN TAKING THE FIRST STEPS TOWARD RECOVERY. THE FOUNDATION ADDITIONALLY FACILITATES VARIOUS OTHER PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO ITS MISSION.
  5. $66,982 spent. THE W.H. "HOWIE" MCCLENNAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND:THE W.H. "HOWIE" MCCLENNAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND HELPS MORE THAN 40 STUDENTS - CHILDREN OF FALLEN IAFF MEMBERS - PAY FOR THEIR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION. SINCE ITS INCEPTION, MORE THAN 400 SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING $1.3 MILLION HAVE BEEN AWARDED THROUGH THE W.H. "HOWIE" MCCLENNANSCHOLARSHIP FUND. A BOSTON FIRE FIGHTER, MCCLENNAN WAS GENERAL PRESIDENT OF THE IAFF FROM 1968-1980. THE MCCLENNAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1977.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 October 13, 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 September 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 March 2011.

    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 October 21, 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.