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Surf City Fire Foundation

EIN 84-1973560 · Huntingtn Bch, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceWeak22 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SCFF is committed to partnering with local businesses and citizens to enhance the overall well-being of our community and it's visitors through partnerships with the Huntington Beach Fire Department. Together with our community, we make sure those who protect us have the tools and support they need to serve safely and effectively.

Income
$496,944
Spending
$410,935
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
3.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0

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

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 161% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Weak: 22 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 5 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 June 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 (12)
  1. $111,753 spent. Lizzie Fund - Fimds donated to assist in paying for the medical bills from spinal cord injuries incurred by HBFD Lifeguard Elizabeth (Lizzie) Lovat.
  2. $93,527 spent. JR Lifeguards - Equipment for HBFD to asssit in the mission of providing emergency services to the community.
  3. $43,507 spent. HBFD - Equipment for the Huntington Beach Fire Department (HBFD) to assist in the mission of providing emergency services to the community.
  4. $37,813 spent. Spark of Love - HBFD Toys for Tots Drive Donations
  5. $25,922 spent. HBFD Open House Events - Opportunity for the Huntington Beach citizens to visit and get to know the HBFD to learn about the services provided and how to get involved.
  6. $8,705 spent. Trauma Kits - Medical Trauma kits provided to the Huntington Beach High Schools
  7. $8,043 spent. Kingman - Food and healthcare provided to "Kingman" HBFD Health and Comfort dog.
  8. $5,417 spent. Water Safe - Educational training provided for Hunting Beach citizens about ocean and pool hazards.
  9. $4,595 spent. CERT - Equipment for the HBFD, Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT) to aid in the mission of providing emergency services to the community.
  10. $3,942 spent. Health & Wellness - Equipment provided to HBFD to promote health and wellness of First Responders.
  11. $2,500 spent. Heart Safe - Equipment for training Huntington Beach citizens in lifesaving CPR.
  12. $2,118 spent. Races - Equipment for the HBFD, Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) to aid in the mission of providing emergency services to the community.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 June 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 July 2019.

    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.