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Behind the Badge Foundation

EIN 91-1700108 · Redmond, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
56%
Reserves
40.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 89%
Employees
8
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$125,699, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 40.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    56% 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 18 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

    5 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

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

  • 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 (2)
  1. $548,059 spent. BEHIND THE BADGE FOUNDATION HELPS FAMILIES AND AGENCIES COPE WITH TRAUMA, GRIEF AND LOSS AFTER A LINE OF DUTY DEATH, SUICIDE OR SERIOUS INJURY BY CONNECTING FAMILIES WITH EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELD. TRAINING, RESPONSE AND RESOURCE EXPERTS HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CULTURE, RECOGNIZING THE UNIQUE DYNAMICS EXPERIENCED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILIES. BEHIND THE BADGE FOUNDATION'S LINE OF DUTY DEATH RESPONSE TEAM (LODDRT) IS SANCTIONED BY THE WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION OF SHERIFFS AND POLICE CHIEFS (WASPC). THE LODDRT IS A SUPPORT TO AFFECTED LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES UPON THE DEATH OF ONE OF THEIR OWN. THE LODDRT MEMBERS ARE EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELD. ALL TEAM MEMBERS ARE CERTIFIED UNDER THE INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM (ICS). MEMORIAL EXPENSES FOR OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. THE FOUNDATION DONATES TO EACH LINE OF DUTY DEATH MEMORIAL - OFFSETTING THE COSTS OF THE MEMORIAL. NATIONAL POLICE WEEK - ASSIST 51 SURVIVING MEMBERS WITH TRAVEL AND LODGING TO WASHINGTON DC, FOR NATIONAL POLICE WEEK. SURVIVOR OUTREACH AND SUPPORT. ANNUAL MEMORIAL CEREMONY AND MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL IN OLYMPIA, WA INCLUDING MONTHLY MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING AS WELL AS REPAIRS TO CRACKED PAVERS.
  2. $123,741 spent. BEHIND THE BADGE FOUNDATION'S LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILY NETWORK (LEFN) WORKS TO INCREASE WELLNESS, STRENGTHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILIES, REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS, AND SUPPORT SUICIDE PREVENTION EFFORTS. FOR OVER 15 YEARS, LEFN HAS PROVIDED STATEWIDE SUPPORT THROUGH REGIONAL PROGRAMMING AND RESOURCES. OPERATING IN NINE REGIONS, LEFN OFFERS PEER-TO-PEER GATHERINGS, EDUCATIONAL SPEAKERS, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILY ENGAGEMENT THAT FOSTER RESILIENCE AND CONNECTION. THE ANNUAL LEFN CONFERENCE CONVENES FAMILIES FROM ACROSS WASHINGTON FOR WORKSHOPS, PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS, AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES. THESE PROGRAMS STRENGTHEN FAMILY SUPPORT SYSTEMS, ADDRESS THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT LIFE, AND PROMOTE THE OVERALL WELL-BEING OF OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 1998.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

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