Independent Order of Foresters Group Return
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Foresters offer quality life insurance products, unique member benefits and inspiring community activities to fulfill its purpose of improving the overall well-being of its members and their communities. Within the Branch system, the fraternal benefits are delivered at the local level through local involvement programming. In large part, this is done through Foresters Community Grants, which allows members to apply for funds to organize local activities that make a difference in their communities. The main objective of the Granting program is to engage members in Foresters purpose of enhancing the well-being of families and communities by funding local community volunteer and foresters moment activities.
- Income
- $1,192
- Spending
- $2.2 million
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 313
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- $1.1 million spent. Community Volunteer Activities (CV): Each of the 35 U.S. Branches allocates funds towards local volunteer activities that make a difference in member communities, referred to as Community Volunteer (CV) activities. In 2025, there were a total of 761 CV events across the U.S., receiving $1,067,224 in Branch funding, which engaged thousands of local members in volunteerism and community service. These activities all served a real need in local communities and /or supported charitable organizations such as local schools, shelters and children's hospitals. A few examples of Community Volunteer activities include: building and cleaning playgrounds, creating care kits for shelters, cooking meals at senior residences and running arts and crafts activities for families staying in children's hospitals. The impact of these activities extends beyond our members and exemplifies Foresters commitment to its purpose of serving local communities.
- $674,992 spent. Foresters Moment Activities (FM): Foresters also gives its members the opportunity to apply for funding through their local Branches to organize or participate in Foresters Moment activities with the goal of creating family time, which is another way Foresters contributes to building stronger families and communities. In 2025, 415 Foresters Moment (FM) activities were held across the US, providing families with the opportunity to spend quality time together at amusement parks, movies, zoos etc. Foresters allocated $675,472 in funding, which resulted in thousands of members engaged in Foresters purpose.
- $382,381 spent. The Foresters Care grant benefit allows members to enjoy the full experience of preparing, organizing, and executing their meaningful volunteering activities to help make a difference in their local communities. Foresters Care leverages the power and potential of social media so members can share their success stories and motivate each other to get involved in Foresters member benefits, helping those in need. In 2025, over 1,933 grants were issued provided over $382,381 in funding to this program in the US. The resulted in thousands of members engaged in the Foresters purpose.
- $29,703 spent. The Branch Matching and Fraternal Funding program was introduced in 2022 with the objective of providing annual funding to Branch Councils allowing them to organize activities to help local communities in need. The objective of the Fraternal Funding Program is to provide annual funding at a Regional level to support the ability to connect and socialize with other members within their Region. In 2025, Foresters allocated $29,703 in funding to the Branch Matching - Fraternal Funding program across the three US regions.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(8) fraternal beneficiary society.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.
Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1966.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.