Alert: Fundraiser Doesn't Help Your Volunteer Fire Department

Hudson Valley fire officials are warning residents about a recurrent problem: a Tennessee-based nonprofit sending letters that seem to be fundraising and recruiting for your local volunteer department. Actually, it not only doesn't support local departments, it only spends about 5 percent of the money it takes in on supporting any programs.

So far this year, Rockland residents have reported getting letters from the "Volunteer Firefighter Alliance" seeking donations to benefit volunteer fire departments. Many chiefs around Rockland County have confirmed that they never receive funding from the charity, Rockland Fires reported.

The letters, and the complaints, are not new. The group is a registered 501-C3 charity based in Tennessee. It was founded in 2014. The return address on the letter is Topeka, Kansas.

It has been sending out letters nationally for about three years, confusing residents and angering fire chiefs across the country, according to many news reports.

It does not make its finances public online. However, according to its website:

It is estimated that of the contributions received in its first fiscal year, Volunteer Firefighter Alliance, Inc. will spend 65% on fundraising, 5% on administration, 5% on program services and 25% to public education in conjunction with fundraising appeals. The cost of this solicitation is charged partly to fundraising and partly to public education. Fundraising costs include costs incurred in establishing a donor base.

If you made a donation, the VFA says you can ask for it back:

If you wish to obtain a refund of your donation to the Volunteer Firefighter Alliance, simply send us a photocopy of your cancelled check and a refund will be issued immediately.

The website also says that New York residents may obtain a copy of VFA’s annual report by writing to the Office of Attorney General, Department of Law, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, New York 10271.

Finally, the website offers some old-fashioned ways to tell them to stop sharing your name and sending you mail.

Privacy Notice: Your name may be made available to other organizations. If you would prefer your name not be made available, please send a postcard your name and address to: “Do Not Share”, Volunteer Firefighter Alliance, P.O. Box 758558, Topeka, KS 66675-8558. If you decide you no longer wish to receive mail from us, please send a postcard your name and address to: “No Mail Please”, Volunteer Firefighter Alliance, P.O. Box 758558, Topeka, KS 66675-8558. After you send your request in it will be processed within 30 days. However, you may continue to receive mailings already in progress, but your request should be honored within 90-120 days.