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Firefighters for Healing

EIN 80-0717709 · Minneapolis, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF FIREFIGHTERS FOR HEALING IS TO SUPPORT BURN AND TRAUMA SURVIVORS THROUGH DIRECT EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT AT THE TIME THEY MOST NEED IT. FIREFIGHTERS FOR HEALING PROVIDES INNOVATIVE AND HOLISTIC SOLUTIONS TO SUPPORT BURN SURVIVORS, FIRST RESPONDERS INJURED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, AND THEIR FAMILIES IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
-8.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
34
Volunteers
45
Highest pay
$137,404, president/executive director

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: 45 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 47% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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 (4)
  1. $702,741 spent. ON AVERAGE, NEARLY 7,000 CHILDREN AND ADULTS ARE TREATED FOR SEVERE BURNS AND BURN TRAUMA EACH YEAR IN THE TWIN CITIES ALONE. RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANT DEMAND FOR EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR FAMILIES OF BURN AND TRAUMA VICTIMS, AS WELL AS THE LIMITED RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS THE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALING CARE NEEDED AFTER DISCHARGE, THE ORGANIZATION OPENED THE TRANSITIONAL HEALING CENTER IN FEBRUARY 2023, LOCATED AT 816 PORTLAND AVE. S, SUITE 200, MINNEAPOLIS, MN (STILL JUST ONE BLOCK FROM HENNEPIN HEALTHCARE). THIS FIRST OF ITS KIND SPACE INCLUDES 12 SUITES, EACH WITH A FULL KITCHEN, PRIVATE BATHROOM AND IN SUITE LAUNDRY, AND IS CONNECTED BY THE MINNEAPOLIS SKYWAY SYSTEM TO HENNEPIN HEALTHCARE.ADDRESSING THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION, THE TRANSITIONAL HEALING CENTER HAS PROGRAM SPACE TO COMPLEMENT EXISTING SERVICES PROVIDED BY AREA HEALTH SYSTEMS, THERAPY ROOMS FOR PATIENTS, AND SOCIAL GATHERING SPACES, INCLUDING A COMMON KITCHEN AND DINING AREA, LOUNGE, AND OUTDOOR PATIO FOR FAMILIES TO ENGAGE WITH ONE ANOTHER. THIS CENTER ADDRESSES THE OFTEN OVERLOOKED NEED FOR ONGOING CARE, FOR BURN SURVIVORS AND FIRST RESPONDERS, AS WELL AS THEIR FAMILIES, IN THE WEEKS, MONTHS AND YEARS FOLLOWING A BURN TRAUMA.IN 2024, FIREFIGHTERS FOR HEALING PROVIDED SERVICES TO 780 INDIVIDUALS FROM 187 FAMILIES, INCLUDING 1,840 NIGHTS OF SHELTER FOR 46 FAMILIES.
  2. $173,097 spent. CAMP RED (CAMP REALIZE EVERY DREAM) IS AN OVERNIGHT CAMP FOR BURN SURVIVORS BETWEEN 6 - 16 YEARS OF AGE WHO WANT TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE BEYOND THE SCARS AND TO BE KIDS. CAMP RED OFFERS A VARIETY OF ACTIVE AND PASSIVE ACTIVITIES IN THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SETTING, INCLUDING CANOEING, ARCHERY, TRUST, SWIMMING, BOATING, HORSEBACK RIDING AND MORE. IN 2024, CAMP RED HOSTED 232 CAMPERS.
  3. $44,856 spent. FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND AID OUTSIDE OF INSURANCE TO REGIONAL BURN UNITS, BURN SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES. WE PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES WITH TEMPORARY OVERNIGHT STAYS IN HOTELS, BASIC TOILETRIES, AND ESSENTIALS WHILE THEIR LOVED ONES ARE BEING TREATED FOR BURN INJURIES AT TWIN CITIES HOSPITALS.
  4. $20,525 spent. SUPPORTING FIRST RESPONDERS' THERAPEUTIC NEEDS SO THEY CAN GET BACK TO DOING THEIR JOB. FINANCING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT, AND WELLBEING ACTIVITIES FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.

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 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 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 January 2013.

    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.