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Firefighters Support Foundation (DISSOLVED)

CharityWatch rating issued
February 2018

F
CharityWatch Rating
Our independent rating based
on a number of factors.
 
9%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$86
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Contact Information

Firefighters Support Foundation (DISSOLVED)
40 School St.
Suite 8
Greenfield , MA 01301-2436

Other Names

Foundation for First Responders and Firefighters

Tax Status

501(c)3

Stated Mission

To assist firefighter & rescue personnel in performing their jobs effectively & safely; to aid underfunded agencies; to assist families of fallen firefighters; and to help prevent fires.

View similar charities
Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 12/31/2016

Program Percentage: 9%

The percentage of Firefighters Support Foundation (DISSOLVED)'s cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$6,800,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $86

How many dollars Firefighters Support Foundation (DISSOLVED) spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$6,700,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Government Funding

0% to 24%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
Firefighters Support Foundation IRS Form 990 26-1903852
Firefighters Support Foundation Audited Financial Statements 26-1903852
Entity: Firefighters Support Foundation
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 26-1903852
Entity: Firefighters Support Foundation
Document Type: Audited Financial Statements
Tax ID: 26-1903852

Governance & Transparency

CharityWatch evaluates certain criteria related to a charity's Governance and Transparency. Donors may want to consider a charity's willingness to be open and transparent with CharityWatch to be a good litmus test for determining its commitment to public accountability.
Firefighters Support Foundation (DISSOLVED)
meets governance benchmarks.
 
Firefighters Support Foundation (DISSOLVED)
does not meet transparency benchmarks.
Transparency
Provides Financial Information
Audit Accessibility
Governance: Policies
Reports regularly & consistently monitoring & enforcing compliance with a written Conflict of Interest Policy
Reports required, annual disclosure by officers, directors, and key staff of interests that could give rise to conflicts
Reports having a written Whistleblower Policy
Reports having a written Document Retention and Destruction Policy
Governance: Financials
Reports providing copy of tax form to all board members prior to filing it with IRS
Reports that financial statements were audited by an independent accountant
Governance: Board of Directors
Reports at least 5 voting board members
51% or more of voting board members reported as independent
Reports documenting minutes of board and board committee meetings
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy

Unable to Provide Salaries

CharityWatch is unable to provide a range of Top Three Salaries for this charity for the above fiscal reporting year because we lack complete salary data for the organization. Except for officers, directors, and trustees, the IRS does not require breakouts of salaries totaling less than $100,000.

For example, XYZ charity would be required to provide a breakout in its tax form of compensation to its president of $55,000, but would not be required to provide a breakout of $99,000 in compensation to its top medical researcher if that person is not also an officer, director, or trustee of the organization.

This charity reports that compensation to its officers, directors, and trustees is under $100,000 per individual. Donors who would like to view limited salary data for this organization should refer to its tax form, which may be available on the charity's web site or from a number of third-party sources. See CharityWatch's Links page for information on obtaining copies of charity tax forms.


CharityWatch Analysts perform an in-depth analysis of charities' audited financial statements and IRS tax filings, and often review other documents such as state filings, annual reports, and fundraising contracts during their evaluations. Below are select notes that CharityWatch believes may be of interest to donors.
According to the Firefighters Support Foundation (FSF) audit of December 31, 2016 (Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies):

"An employment agreement was entered into with the President. The contract is in effect until July 31, 2019. Under the terms of the agreement the President is guaranteed a minimum salary of $100,000 per year."


According to the FSF 2016 tax filing, FSF reports paying its President $99,666 in compensation in 2016 (based on W-2 reporting) for working an average of 30 hours per week (IRS Form 990, Part VII).
According to the Firefighters Support Foundation (FSF) audit of December 31, 2016 (Note 3, Fundraiser Agreement / Commitments):

"FSF has entered into four agreements with professional fund raising organizations. ...The agreements are as follows:"

-- Outreach Calling: "Terms call for FSF receiving 10% and Outreach Calling retaining 90% of fundraising contributions raised through June 2020 with automatic annual renewals unless terminated by either party within certain terms as stipulated."

-- Menacola Marketing, Inc.: "Terms call for FSF receiving 15% and Menacola Marketing, Inc. retaining 85% of fundraising contributions raised with automatic annual renewals unless terminated by either party within certain terms as stipulated."

-- Residential Programs: "Terms call for FSF receiving 10% and Charitable Resource Foundation, Inc. [a professional fundraising company] retaining 90% of fundraising contributions raised with automatic annual renewals unless terminated by either part[y] within certain terms as stipulated."

-- Innovative Teleservices: "Terms call for FSF receiving 10% and Professional Marketing, Inc. retaining 90% of fundraising contributions raised through December 31, 2021."


According to the FSF audited Statement of Functional Expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016, of the $6,760,703 in reported total expenses in 2016, $5,784,535 was spent on "Professional fundraiser commissions."