Vale Volunteer Fire Department

Vale Volunteer Fire Department maintains stable assets and zero officer compensation amidst fluctuating revenues.

EIN: 202379916 · Vale, SD · NTEE: M24 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$85KRevenue

$306KAssets

92/100Mission Score (Excellent)

M24

About Vale Volunteer Fire Department

Vale Volunteer Fire Department (EIN: 202379916) is a nonprofit organization based in Vale, SD, classified under NTEE code M24. The organization reported total revenue of $85K and total assets of $306K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Vale Volunteer Fire Department's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

The Vale Volunteer Fire Department demonstrates consistent financial activity typical of a small, community-based volunteer organization. Over the past decade, its revenue has fluctuated, ranging from a low of $33,889 in 2013 to a high of $85,452 in 2021. Expenses have generally tracked revenue, with some years showing deficits (e.g., $82,421 expenses against $45,242 revenue in 2022) and others surpluses (e.g., $64,675 expenses against $75,044 revenue in 2023). The organization maintains a healthy asset base, with assets consistently over $240,000 and reaching $339,883 in 2023, significantly exceeding its liabilities. This indicates a stable financial position capable of supporting its operations.

Spending efficiency appears reasonable for a volunteer fire department, where a significant portion of expenses would likely be for equipment, maintenance, and training directly related to program services. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings strongly suggests that all funds are directed towards the department's mission rather than executive salaries, which is a positive indicator of efficiency and dedication. The organization's financial reporting is consistent with IRS requirements, providing a clear history of its financial activities.

Overall, the Vale Volunteer Fire Department appears to be a financially stable and efficiently run organization, particularly given its volunteer nature and the absence of paid executive compensation. Its ability to maintain a strong asset base while managing fluctuating revenues and expenses speaks to prudent financial management. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over many years also demonstrates a commitment to transparency.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Vale Volunteer Fire Department with a Mission Score of 92 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.

Spending Breakdown

admin: 7%
programs: 90%
fundraising: 3%

According to IRS 990 filings, Vale Volunteer Fire Department allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 7%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 3%. With 90% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.

Executive Compensation Analysis

Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers receive salaries, which is highly commendable for an organization of this size and mission.

Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Vale Volunteer Fire Department:

Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating all funds go to mission.
Healthy asset-to-liability ratio, demonstrating financial stability (e.g., $339,883 assets vs. $37,558 liabilities in 2023).
Long history of IRS 990 filings, showing commitment to transparency.
Stable financial position despite revenue fluctuations, suggesting prudent management.

Frequently Asked Questions about Vale Volunteer Fire Department

Is Vale Volunteer Fire Department a good charity?

Based on the available financial data, the Vale Volunteer Fire Department appears to be a very good charity. It consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating that all funds are directed towards its mission. It maintains a healthy asset base relative to its liabilities and has a history of transparent financial reporting.

How does the organization manage its finances given fluctuating revenue?

The organization manages fluctuating revenue by maintaining a strong asset base (e.g., $339,883 in assets in 2023) and keeping liabilities relatively low (e.g., $37,558 in liabilities in 2023). This financial cushion allows it to absorb years with higher expenses than revenue, such as in 2022 when expenses were $82,421 against $45,242 revenue.

What is the trend in the organization's assets and liabilities?

The organization's assets have generally remained strong, fluctuating but consistently above $240,000, reaching $339,883 in 2023. Liabilities have also fluctuated but have generally been well below assets, indicating a healthy balance sheet. For example, in 2023, assets were $339,883 while liabilities were $37,558.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Vale Volunteer Fire Department showing financial trends over 12 years of public records:

Over 12 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Vale Volunteer Fire Department's revenue has declined by 15.2%, moving from $88K to $75K. Total assets increased by 52.7% over the same period, from $223K to $340K. Total functional expenses rose by 108.1%, from $31K to $65K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Vale Volunteer Fire Department reported a surplus of $10K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $38K in liabilities against $340K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 11.1%), resulting in net assets of $302K.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$75K	$65K	$340K	$38K	—	View 990
2022	$45K	$82K	$337K	$45K	—	View 990
2021	$85K	$71K	$381K	$52K	—	—
2020	$76K	$62K	$374K	$59K	—	View 990
2019	$75K	$65K	$333K	$32K	—	View 990
2018	$79K	$74K	$335K	$45K	—	View 990
2016	$47K	$60K	$242K	$31K	—	View 990
2015	$52K	$55K	$274K	$50K	—	View 990
2014	$46K	$71K	$289K	$62K	—	View 990
2013	$34K	$72K	$360K	$109K	—	View 990
2012	$107K	$39K	$440K	$150K	—	View 990
2011	$88K	$31K	$223K	$0	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $75K, expenses of $65K, and assets of $340K (revenue +65.9% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $45K, expenses of $82K, and assets of $337K (revenue -47.1% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $85K, expenses of $71K, and assets of $381K (revenue +12.5% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $76K, expenses of $62K, and assets of $374K (revenue +1.1% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $75K, expenses of $65K, and assets of $333K (revenue -5.1% year-over-year).
2018: Revenue of $79K, expenses of $74K, and assets of $335K (revenue +68.7% year-over-year).
2016: Revenue of $47K, expenses of $60K, and assets of $242K (revenue -9.5% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $52K, expenses of $55K, and assets of $274K (revenue +13.4% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $46K, expenses of $71K, and assets of $289K (revenue +34.9% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $34K, expenses of $72K, and assets of $360K (revenue -68.3% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $107K, expenses of $39K, and assets of $440K (revenue +20.7% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $88K, expenses of $31K, and assets of $223K.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Vale Volunteer Fire Department is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.

IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.