1. Define the impact you want

Decide whether you want to help firefighters, families, burn survivors, fire victims, local departments, prevention programs or another beneficiary.

2. Verify the organization

Confirm legal name, EIN and tax status. Match the organization’s website to public records so you do not confuse similarly named charities.

3. Read recent filings

Use Form 990 data to understand revenue, total expenses, program expenses, fundraising expenses, leadership compensation and changes over time. Ratios need context, but unusually high fundraising costs deserve closer examination.

4. Use independent evaluators carefully

Rating sites can surface useful signals, but methodologies differ. Read what the score measures rather than treating a star count as the entire decision.

5. Confirm the donation path

Donate through a verified official channel. If you are entering a sweepstakes, read the rules and remember that entry and donation can be separate actions.