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Lakeville Volunteer Fire Department Incorporated

EIN 94-2548391 · Petaluma, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE LAKEVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT (LVFD) WAS CREATED IN 1973 BY A GROUP OF LOCAL FARMERS AND RANCHERS WHO SAW A NEED FOR FIRE PROTECTION AFTER A LARGE FIRE RIPPED THROUGH THE AREA DESTROYING MANY BUILDINGS. OVER THE PAST THIRTY PLUS YEARS, THE GOAL OF THE VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN TO PROVIDE QUALITY FIRE AND MEDICAL SERVICES TO THE CITIZENS AND VISITORS TO OUR COMMUNITY. PRIO TO THISTIME, FIRE PROTECTION WAS PROVIDED BY A SINGLE ENGINE FROM THE CALFIRE STATION IN WEST PETALUMA. IN 1982, 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT STATUS WAS AWARDED TO THE LVFD. THIS PAVED THE WAY FOR CRUCIAL FUND-RAISING OPPORTUNITIES.

Income
$2,895
Spending
$1,145
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 (1)
  1. $1,145 spent. AS THE LVFD FUND-RAISING ABILITIES GREW TO INCLUDE MEMORIAL GIFT OPPORTUNITIES, DUES FROM AREA RESIDENTS AND THE CURRENT ANNUAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST AND RAFFLE, THE DEPARTMENT BEGAN ACQUIRING ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTING AND LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT TO BETTER SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND VISITORS TO THE LAKEVILLE BASIN. THE LAKEVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT NOW RESPONDS TO A WIDE VARIETY OF INCIDENTS INCLUDING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, PUBLIC ASSISTS, VEHICLE ACCIDENT EXTRACTIONS, LAND AND WATER RESCUE, COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL FIRE ALARMS, AND MUCH MORE.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 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 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 August 1983.

    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.

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.