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EIN 82-1711537 · Worcester, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceFair60 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

IT IS THE MISSION OF FIRST H.E.L.P. TO SERVE FIRST RESPONDERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES BY REDUCING MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA THROUGH EDUCATION SERVICES, PROVIDING SUPPORT TO FAMILIES OF FIRST RESPONDERS SUFFERING FROM POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS, ACKNOWLEDGING THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF FIRST RESPONDERS LOST TO SUICIDE, AND BRINGING AWARENESS TO SUICIDE AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

Income
$603,992
Spending
$378,670
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
6.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
1
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$3,500, 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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 37% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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. $144,185 spent. FAMILY WEEKEND - AN ANNUAL RETREAT IS SPONSORED FOR FIRST RESPONDERS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO MEET AND ATTEND A DINNER AND VARIOUS EVENTS MODERATED BY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS TO TEACH COPING SKILLS.
  2. $57,245 spent. TRAINING - WORKSHOPS AND PEER-TO-PEER MENTORING SESSIONS ARE DESIGNED TO INFORM FIRST RESPONDERS ON THE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF JOB-RELATED STRESS AND TO REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS.
  3. $27,380 spent. CARE PACKAGES PROVIDED TO FAMILIIES AFFECTED BY FIRST RESPONDER SUICIDE.
  4. $30,240 spent. GENERAL AWARENESS AND SCHOLARSHIPS - TO PROMOTE FIRST RESPONDER SUICIDE AWARENESS THROUGH VARIOUS CONFERENCES AND EVENTS AND TO PROVIDE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS TO CHILDREN AFFECTED BY FIRST RESPONDER SUICIDE.

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 October 2017.

    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.