Charity of the week: National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

last updated 8 January 2015

Created by the U.S. Congress in 1992, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (FireHero.org) helps the families of American firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Through their Survivors Support Network, the NFFF connects victims facing similar experiences—such as women who were pregnant when they lost their husbands or parents who lost their only child—so that they can talk to and support one another. The NFFF provides scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen firefighters, and also works to prevent future line-of-duty deaths through safety education and training programs. Recently, the NFFF formed a special fund to aid the families and co-workers of the 12 firemen and EMS personnel who died in last month’s West, Texas, fertilizer plant explosion.

Each charity we feature has earned a four-star overall rating from Charity Navigator, which ranks not-for-profit organizations on the strength of their finances, their control of administrative and fundraising expenses, and the transparency of their operations. Four stars is the group’s highest ranking.