Iron Star Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE IRON STAR FOUNDATION FOCUSES ON COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING, WORKING TO STRENGTHEN NEIGHBORHOODS AND SUPPORT RESIDENTS IN ACHIEVING A HIGHER STANDARD OF LIVING. THE FOUNDATION LEVERAGES ITS INITIATIVES TO FOSTER SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND PROVIDE RESOURCES THAT ADDRESS LOCAL NEEDS. KEY ASPECTS OF ITS MISSION INCLUDE: ENHANCING COMMUNITY QUALITY OF LIFE: THE FOUNDATION DEVELOPS PROGRAMS AND INTERVENTIONS THAT DIRECTLY BENEFIT RESIDENTS, AIMING TO CREATE A SAFER, HEALTHIER, AND MORE VIBRANT COMMUNITY. CAPACITY BUILDING: BY EQUIPPING COMMUNITY MEMBERS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND LOCAL INSTITUTIONS WITH TOOLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND SUPPORT, THE FOUNDATION STRENGTHENS THE ABILITY OF COMMUNITIES TO MANAGE CHALLENGES AND SUSTAIN LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENTS.
- Income
- $1.6 million
- Spending
- $996,929
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 4.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 3
- Highest pay
- $137,500, key employee
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.8 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 24% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 38% of income.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 (3)
- $104,824 spent. FOOD DELIVERIES: THE FOUNDATION IS WORKING WITH POLICE OUTREACH OFFICERS TO IDENTIFY FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE DC-MD-VA AREA IN ACUTE NEED OF GROCERIES. THE FOUNDATION OBTAINS GROCERIES FROM THE CAPITOL AREA FOOD BANK AND LOCAL MILITARY COMMISSARIES AND MOBILIZES UNIFORMED OUTREACH OFFICERS FROM THE LOCAL DC, MD OR VA POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY FOOD DELIVERIES. FOOD DELIVERIES COMPRISE APPROXIMATELY 20 PERCENT OF THE FOUNDATION'S ACTIVITIES. FOOD DELIVERIES ARE FUNDED BY DONATIONS. APPROXIMATELY 10 PERCENT OF THE FOUNDATION'S BUDGET IS ALLOCATED TO THIS ACTIVITY. THIS ACTIVITY FURTHERS THE FOUNDATION'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE BECAUSE IT MEETS AN ACUTE NEED OF THE COMMUNITY WHILE PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR POLICE OFFICERS TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE IN A POSITIVE WAY. FOOD DELIVERIES: THE FOUNDATION IS WORKING WITH POLICE OUTREACH OFFICERS TO IDENTIFY FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE DC-MD-VA AREA IN ACUTE NEED OF GROCERIES. THE FOUNDATION OBTAINS GROCERIES FROM THE CAPITOL AREA FOOD BANK AND LOCAL MILITARY COMMISSARIES AND MOBILIZES UNIFORMED OUTREACH OFFICERS FROM THE LOCAL DC, MD OR VA POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY FOOD DELIVERIES. FOOD DELIVERIES COMPRISE APPROXIMATELY 20 PERCENT OF THE FOUNDATION'S ACTIVITIES. FOOD DELIVERIES ARE FUNDED BY DONATIONS. APPROXIMATELY 10 PERCENT OF THE FOUNDATION'S BUDGET IS ALLOCATED TO THIS ACTIVITY. THIS ACTIVITY FURTHERS THE FOUNDATION'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE BECAUSE IT MEETS AN ACUTE NEED OF THE COMMUNITY WHILE PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR POLICE OFFICERS TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE IN A POSITIVE WAY.
- $160,831 spent. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT: THE FOUNDATION IS WORKING WITH POLICE OUTREACH OFFICERS AND OTHER NONPROFIT COMMUNITY OUTREACH ORGANIZATIONS E.G. PROJECT HOPE, NATIONAL PARKS TRUST, NATIONAL CENTER FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THE FOUNDATION'S EMPLOYEES FACILITATE ENRICHING AND VALUABLE CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES AND FIELD TRIPS FOR ELEMENTARY AGE SCHOOL CHILDREN FROM AT-RISK NEIGHBORHOODS, AND MOBILIZE UNIFORMED OUTREACH OFFICERS FROM THE LOCAL DC, VA AND MD POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO ACCOMPANY THE CHILDREN IN THE ACTIVITIES. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES COMPRISE APPROXIMATELY 40 PERCENT OF THE FOUNDATION'S TIME. APPROXIMATELY 20 PERCENT OF THE FOUNDATION'S BUDGET IS ALLOCATED TO THIS ACTIVITY, WHICH FURTHERS THE FOUNDATION'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE BECAUSE IT MEETS A NEED OF THE COMMUNITY WHILE PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR POLICE OFFICERS TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE IN A POSITIVE WAY. THE ACTIVITIES BUILD BRIDGES BETWEEN THE OFFICERS AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE AND CREATE POSITIVE IMPRESSIONS OF THE SERVICES THAT POLICE OFFICERS PROVIDE AMONG THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT THEY SERVE. HIGH SCHOOL MENTORING: THE FOUNDATION WORKS WITH POLICE OUTREACH OFFICERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS (WASHINGTON DC METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT YOUTH DIVISION'S HYPE IT UP AND HONEY BEES PROGRAMS) THE FOUNDATION'S EMPLOYEES FACILITATE ENRICHING AND VALUABLE MENTORING ACTIVITIES AND FIELD TRIPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL AGE STUDENTS FROM AT RISK NEIGHBORHOODS, AND MOBILIZED UNIFORMED OUTREACH OFFICERS FROM THE LOCAL DC, VA AND MD POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO ACCOMPANY AND MENTOR THE STUDENTS. HIGH SCHOOL MENTORING ACTIVITIES COMPRISE APPROXIMATELY 20 PERCENT OF THE FOUNDATION'S TIME. THE ACTIVITIES ARE FUNDED BY DONATIONS AND APPROXIMATELY 20 PERCENT OF THE FOUNDATION'S BUDGET IS ALLOCATED TO THIS ACTIVITY, WHICH FURTHERS THE FOUNDATION'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE BECAUSE IT MEETS A NEED OF THE COMMUNITY, CHANGING THE LIVES OF AT RISK YOUTH IN A POSITIVE WAY, WHILE PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR POLICE OFFICERS TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE IN A POSITIVE WAY. THE MENTORING ACTIVITIES BUILD BRIDGES BETWEEN THE OFFICERS AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE AND CREATE POSITIVE IMPRESSIONS OF THE SERVICES THE LOCAL POLICE PROVIDE AMONG THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT THEY SERVE. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT: THE FOUNDATION IS WORKING WITH POLICE OUTREACH OFFICERS AND OTHER NONPROFIT COMMUNITY OUTREACH ORGANIZATIONS E.G. PROJECT HOPE, NATIONAL PARKS TRUST, NATIONAL CENTER FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THE FOUNDATION'S EMPLOYEES FACILITATE ENRICHING AND VALUABLE CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES AND FIELD TRIPS FOR ELEMENTARY AGE SCHOOL CHILDREN FROM AT-RISK NEIGHBORHOODS, AND MOBILIZE UNIFORMED OUTREACH OFFICERS FROM THE LOCAL DC, VA AND MD POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO ACCOMPANY THE CHILDREN IN THE ACTIVITIES. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES COMPRISE APPROXIMATELY 40 PERCENT OF THE FOUNDATION'S TIME. APPROXIMATELY 20 PERCENT OF THE FOUNDATION'S BUDGET IS ALLOCATED TO THIS ACTIVITY, WHICH FURTHERS THE FOUNDATION'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE BECAUSE IT MEETS A NEED OF THE COMMUNITY WHILE PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR POLICE OFFICERS TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE IN A POSITIVE WAY. THE ACTIVITIES BUILD BRIDGES BETWEEN THE OFFICERS AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE AND CREATE POSITIVE IMPRESSIONS OF THE SERVICES THAT POLICE OFFICERS PROVIDE AMONG THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT THEY SERVE. HIGH SCHOOL MENTORING: THE FOUNDATION WORKS WITH POLICE OUTREACH OFFICERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS (WASHINGTON DC METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT YOUTH DIVISION'S HYPE IT UP AND HONEY BEES PROGRAMS) THE FOUNDATION'S EMPLOYEES FACILITATE ENRICHING AND VALUABLE MENTORING ACTIVITIES AND FIELD TRIPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL AGE STUDENTS FROM AT RISK NEIGHBORHOODS, AND MOBILIZED UNIFORMED OUTREACH OFFICERS FROM THE LOCAL DC, VA AND MD POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO ACCOMPANY AND MENTOR THE STUDENTS. HIGH SCHOOL MENTORING ACTIVITIES COMPRISE APPROXIMATELY 20 PERCENT OF THE FOUNDATION'S TIME. THE ACTIVITIES ARE FUNDED BY DONATIONS AND APPROXIMATELY 20 PERCENT OF THE FOUNDATION'S BUDGET IS ALLOCATED TO THIS ACTIVITY, WHICH FURTHERS THE FOUNDATION'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE BECAUSE IT MEETS A NEED OF THE COMMUNITY, CHANGING THE LIVES OF AT RISK YOUTH IN A POSITIVE WAY, WHILE PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR POLICE OFFICERS TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE IN A POSITIVE WAY. THE MENTORING ACTIVITIES BUILD BRIDGES BETWEEN THE OFFICERS AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE AND CREATE POSITIVE IMPRESSIONS OF THE SERVICES THE LOCAL POLICE PROVIDE AMONG THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT THEY SERVE.
- $595,958 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: WORKING WITH POLICE OUTREACH OFFICERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY OUTREACH PARTNERSHIPS, THE FOUNDATION SPONSORS REGULAR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES IN THE DC-MD-VA REGION, INCLUDING BIWEEKLY POP-UP MEAL TRUCKS WHERE POLICE OFFICERS SERVE A MEAL TO LOCAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN THE MOST AT-RISK NEIGHBORHOODS, HOLIDAY EVENTS LIKE SAFE NIGHT OUT FOR HALLOWEEN, WHERE OFFICERS INVITE THE COMMUNITIES IN THE MOST DANGEROUS NEIGHBORHOODS INTO THE PRECINCT FOR HALLOWEEN TRICK-OR-TREATING, WINTER WONDERLAND AND SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN EVENTS WHERE POLICE OFFICERS DISTRIBUTE HOLIDAY GIFTS TO CHILDREN IN UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES, AND AN ANNUAL GALA WHERE THE FOUNDATION RECOGNIZES OFFICERS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING DURING THE YEAR AND WHERE THE FOUNDATION RECOGNIZES IRON STAR FAMILIES. IRON STAR FAMILIES ARE SURVIVING FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE TO VIOLENT CRIME ALONG WITH SURVIVING FAMILY MEMBERS OF POLICE OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES COMPRISE APPROXIMATELY 20 PERCENT OF OUR TIME. THE ACTIVITIES ARE FUNDED BY DONATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC AND APPROXIMATELY 50 PERCENT OF THE FOUNDATION'S BUDGET IS ALLOCATED TO THIS ACTIVITY. THESE ACTIVITIES FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE BECAUSE THEY MEET A NEED OF THE COMMUNITY., WHILE PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR POLICE OFFICERS TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE IN A POSITIVE WAY. THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES HELP BUILD BRIDGES BETWEEN THE OFFICERS AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE AND CREATE POSITIVE IMPRESSIONS OF THE SERVICES THAT POLICE PROVIDE AMONG THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT THEY SERVE. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: WORKING WITH POLICE OUTREACH OFFICERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY OUTREACH PARTNERSHIPS, THE FOUNDATION SPONSORS REGULAR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES IN THE DC-MD-VA REGION, INCLUDING BIWEEKLY POP-UP MEAL TRUCKS WHERE POLICE OFFICERS SERVE A MEAL TO LOCAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN THE MOST AT-RISK NEIGHBORHOODS, HOLIDAY EVENTS LIKE SAFE NIGHT OUT FOR HALLOWEEN, WHERE OFFICERS INVITE THE COMMUNITIES IN THE MOST DANGEROUS NEIGHBORHOODS INTO THE PRECINCT FOR HALLOWEEN TRICK-OR-TREATING, WINTER WONDERLAND AND SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN EVENTS WHERE POLICE OFFICERS DISTRIBUTE HOLIDAY GIFTS TO CHILDREN IN UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES, AND AN ANNUAL GALA WHERE THE FOUNDATION RECOGNIZES OFFICERS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING DURING THE YEAR AND WHERE THE FOUNDATION RECOGNIZES IRON STAR FAMILIES. IRON STAR FAMILIES ARE SURVIVING FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE TO VIOLENT CRIME ALONG WITH SURVIVING FAMILY MEMBERS OF POLICE OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES COMPRISE APPROXIMATELY 20 PERCENT OF OUR TIME. THE ACTIVITIES ARE FUNDED BY DONATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC AND APPROXIMATELY 50 PERCENT OF THE FOUNDATION'S BUDGET IS ALLOCATED TO THIS ACTIVITY. THESE ACTIVITIES FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE BECAUSE THEY MEET A NEED OF THE COMMUNITY., WHILE PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR POLICE OFFICERS TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE IN A POSITIVE WAY. THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES HELP BUILD BRIDGES BETWEEN THE OFFICERS AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE AND CREATE POSITIVE IMPRESSIONS OF THE SERVICES THAT POLICE PROVIDE AMONG THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT THEY SERVE.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. 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)(3) charitable organization.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Worth knowing.
Recognized by the IRS in December 2025. It is too new to have a track record.
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 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.