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First Command Educational Foundation

EIN 75-1973894 · Fort Worth, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FIRST COMMAND EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION (THE "FOUNDATION") IS A 501(C)(3) PUBLIC CHARITY THAT PROVIDES GRANT SUPPORT FOR CHARITABLE, RELIGIOUS, SCIENTIFIC, LITERARY OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AND CONDUCTS FINANCIAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. THE MAJOR PROGRAMS OF THE FOUNDATION ARE AS FOLLOWS:SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM - PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THOSE MILITARY AND CIVILIAN INDIVIDUALS PURSUING UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE DEGREES AS WELL AS TRADE PROGRAMS AND PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION.EDUCATION - PROVIDES FINANCIAL EDUCATION COURSES AND CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION TO INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.

Income
$982,238
Spending
$949,055
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
7.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
6
Volunteers
42
Highest pay
$184,830, ceo/president

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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 11 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

    0 of 10

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

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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, 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 (3)
  1. $383,623 spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: FCEF OFFERS IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL FINANCIAL READINESS EDUCATION COURSES FOR PEOPLE IN ALL COMMUNITY SECTORS AND ALL CAREER AND LIFE STAGES. THESE COURSES PROVIDE THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NECESSARY TO MAKE INFORMED, INTELLIGENT FINANCIAL DECISIONS. WE OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF CURRICULA ON NUMEROUS FINANCIAL TOPICS THAT SUPPORT VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL, BUSINESS, SOCIAL SERVICE, CIVIC, AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. ALL EDUCATIONAL CONTENT, RESOURCES, AND TOOLS ARE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE.
  2. $275,357 spent. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS: FCEF SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED FOR US TO PARTNER WITH MILITARY-AFFILIATED AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO INCREASE THE DOLLARS AVAILABLE FOR THEM TO AWARD TO STUDENTS. FCEF MATCHES 100 PERCENT OF THE ORGANIZATION'S DONATION, DOUBLING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THEY CAN AWARD. THE PARTNER ORGANIZATION MAINTAINS THE APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS. FCEF HAS ONE DIRECT-APPLY SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE TO FEDERAL CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES AND THEIR DEPENDENTS. THIS SCHOLARSHIP IS FUNDED FROM PROCEEDS OF OUR FEDERAL EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SEMINAR PROGRAM. ADDITIONALLY, FCEF MANAGES SIX ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIPS. EACH ENDOWMENT IS AVAILABLE TO A SPECIFIC GROUP/ORGANIZATION AS DEFINED IN THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.
  3. $193,813 spent. TAKE COMMAND (TC) PROGRAM: TC IS AN ONLINE FINANCIAL READINESS PROGRAM AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE TO SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT THEM. OUR GOAL IS TO PREPARE SERVICE MEMBERS TO MAKE SMART, INFORMED FINANCIAL DECISIONS AND EFFECTIVELY PURSUE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL SECURITY FROM THE TIME THEY ENTER MILITARY SERVICE UNTIL SEPARATION OR RETIREMENT. TC COURSES TYPICALLY TAKE NO MORE THAN AN HOUR TO COMPLETE AND ARE ACCESSIBLE 24/7 VIA COMPUTER, SMARTPHONE OR TABLET. TAKE COMMAND PROVIDES ESSENTIAL FINANCIAL CONCEPTS FOR EACH MILITARY CAREER AND LIFE MILESTONE.

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 July 1984.

    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: Educational Foundation Inc (Chapel Hill, NC), EIN 56-6058412. 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.