California Fire Foundation
The California Fire Foundation (CFF) is a 501(c)(3) public benefit charity based in Sacramento, California. Founded in 1987 by California Professional Firefighters, the organization operates with a staff of 11-15 individuals. CFF provides emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters, and the communities they protect. The foundation also maintains the California Firefighters Memorial at the State Capitol in Sacramento, which honors firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$20.7M
-6.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.5M
-28.4% YoY
Grant Count
88
+1.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
-29.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The California Fire Foundation provides emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters, and the communities they protect.
Primary Program Areas:
- Survivor and Victim Assistance Programs: Including the California Firefighters Benevolent Fund, the Daniel A. Terry Scholarship for children of fallen firefighters, the California Last Alarm Service Team, and the Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency (SAVE) Program
- Public Education & Fire Safety: The "Firefighters on Your Side" public education campaign teaches members of the public throughout California to prevent and prepare for fires through person-to-person workshops, print media, and electronic media
- Community Initiatives: Public safety campaigns in underserved communities, long-term wildfire relief efforts, and the Pipes and Drums of CPF
- Memorial Services: Annual public memorial ceremony to honor fallen firefighters
- Disaster Relief: Assistance to victims of fires and other major disasters
Grantmaking
CFF operates as both a grantmaker and direct service provider.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CFF primarily funds in California and Hawaii, with specific recent focus on:
- Southern, Central, and Coastal California
- Los Angeles and Ventura Counties (for wildfire disaster relief and recovery)
- Underserved communities throughout California
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2023-2024):
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Assets | $20,669,837 |
| Total Revenue | $5,085,617–$5,288,152 |
| Total Expenses | $6,766,000–$7,040,853 |
| Total Liabilities | $296,000 |
Financial Rating: CFF has received a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator with a score of 92%, reflecting strong overall performance in accountability and finance. The organization demonstrates effective financial management with a strong program expense ratio.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $20,669,837 | $22,135,588 | $23,584,537 |
| Revenue | $5,288,152 | $5,085,617 | $4,881,565 |
| Expenses | $7,040,853 | $6,766,881 | $6,432,496 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $860,206 | $631,513 | $42,365 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from California Fire Foundation
California Statewide Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Funding
CALIFORNIA FIRE FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
California Wildfire Disaster Relief & Recovery Grants
CALIFORNIA FIRE FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Southern California Wildfire Preparedness & Education Funding
CALIFORNIA FIRE FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRIAN RICE | PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| RICK MARTINEZ | EXECUTIVE DI | 45 | $163,257 |
| KARA HAYNES | DD OF COMM R | 45 | $113,108 |
| JOSLYN BEILE | DEP DIR OF P | 45 | $117,502 |
| MIKE LOPEZ | TREASURER | 5 | — |
| CHARLES MARTINEZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | $1,880 |
| REX PRITCHARD | DIRECTOR | 1 | $1,225 |
| TIM EDWARDS | DIRECTOR | 1 | $470 |
| FREDDY ESCOBAR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DAVE GILLOTTE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TREVOR JAMISON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JAIR JUAREZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DARRELL ROBERTS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DANIEL A TERRY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| VINCE WELLS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
CFF and PG&E Corporation Foundation have announced wildfire safety grants for the eighth consecutive year, continuing their partnership to protect communities from wildfire risks.
CFF and PG&E award wildfire safety grants for eighth yearData last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with California Fire Foundation on Grantable?
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