FIRELIGHT FOUNDATION

EIN: 272795006 501(c)(3) International Affairs

SCOTTS VALLEY, CA

Total Revenue
$3,784,106
Total Expenses
$3,135,131
Total Assets
$17,198,044
Net Assets
$16,987,070
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Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
2010
Legal Domicile
CA
Principal Officer
MARIEME DAFF
Phone
8314298750
Tax Period
2024-07-01 to 2025-06-30

FIRELIGHT FOUNDATION, founded in 2010, is a community nonprofit in the International Affairs sector that reported $3.8M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue surged 51% from the prior year, signaling strong growth momentum. The organization ran a surplus of $649K, a strong 17% operating margin.

Mission

FIRELIGHT SUPPORTS CATALYTIC COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA THAT WORK WITH THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES TO REALIZE SHARED VISIONS OF SUSTAINABLE CHANGE AND TRUE POTENTIAL FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $1,595,449

CHILD RIGHTS AND CHILD PROTECTIONFIRELIGHT FUNDED AND SUPPORTED 10 COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN MALAWI TO CATALYZE AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY-DRIVEN SYSTEMS CHANGE TO END CHILD MARRIAGE IN THEIR...

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CHILD RIGHTS AND CHILD PROTECTIONFIRELIGHT FUNDED AND SUPPORTED 10 COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN MALAWI TO CATALYZE AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY-DRIVEN SYSTEMS CHANGE TO END CHILD MARRIAGE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. GRANTEES FACILITATED THEIR COMMUNITIES TO ANALYZE AND TAKE ACTION TO INFLUENCE THE DIFFERENT SYSTEMS THAT AFFECT FACTORS RELATED TO CHILD MARRIAGE, SUCH AS FAMILY ECONOMIC SECURITY, GIRLS' ACCESS TO SCHOOLING, TEENAGE PREGNANCY, NORMS AND PRACTICES AROUND SEXUALITY, ACCESS TO SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, AND EXPANDING GIRLS' OWN VISIONING OF THEIR FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES. FIRELIGHT ALSO FUNDED AND SUPPORTED SEVEN (7) YOUTH-LED ORGANIZATIONS IN KENYA TO WORK WITH THEIR COMMUNITIES TO IDENTIFY THE PRIORITY ISSUES FACING YOUTH IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND CARRY OUT ACTION PLANS TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES SUCH AS INCREASING YOUTH ACCESS TO GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT AND GREATER INCOMES THROUGH VOCATIONAL TRAINING, REDUCING WIDESPREAD DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES THROUGH AWARENESS-RAISING EFFORTS, CONNECTING YOUTH TO COMMUNITY MENTORS, AND SUPPORTING YOUTH TO ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Program 2
Expenses: $722,593

CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATIONFIRELIGHT FUNDED AND SUPPORTED NINE (9) COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN RURAL ZAMBIA AND IN MALAWI TO IMPROVE EARLY CHILDHOOD ENVIRONMENTS AND OUTCOMES IN THEIR...

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CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATIONFIRELIGHT FUNDED AND SUPPORTED NINE (9) COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN RURAL ZAMBIA AND IN MALAWI TO IMPROVE EARLY CHILDHOOD ENVIRONMENTS AND OUTCOMES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. GRANTEES FACILITATED THEIR COMMUNITIES TO MAP OUT AND TAKE ACTION TO INFLUENCE THE DIFFERENT SYSTEMS AND STAKEHOLDERS THAT AFFECT CHILD WELLBEING SUCH AS FAMILY ECONOMIC SECURITY, PARENTING SKILLS, ACCESS TO A VARIETY OF NUTRITIOUS FOODS, QUALITY OF CARE AND EDUCATION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTERS, CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEMS, BELIEFS AND NORMS, AND GOVERNMENT POLICY.

Program 3
Expenses: $52,000

FIRELIGHT FUNDED A SENEGAL-BASED ORGANIZATION TO SURVEY AFRICAN CSOS THAT HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THE GLOBAL FUNDING FREEZE. THE SURVEY, WHICH GENERATED RESPONSES FROM 551 CSOS...

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FIRELIGHT FUNDED A SENEGAL-BASED ORGANIZATION TO SURVEY AFRICAN CSOS THAT HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THE GLOBAL FUNDING FREEZE. THE SURVEY, WHICH GENERATED RESPONSES FROM 551 CSOS IN 42 AFRICAN COUNTRIES, PROVIDED VALUABLE INSIGHT ON WAYS AFRICAN CSOS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE FUNDING FREEZE. THE FINDINGS WILL HELP FUNDERS, POLICYMAKERS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS DEVELOP APPROPRIATE RESPONSES. FIRELIGHT ALSO SUPPORTED THE PARTNER ORGANIZATION TO DISSEMINATE FINDINGS THROUGH A PUBLISHED REPORT AND WEBINAR.

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $3,232,333
Program Service Revenue $0
Investment Income $551,723
Other Revenue $50
TOTAL REVENUE $3,784,106

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $1,054,708
Salaries & Benefits $1,297,587
Fundraising Expenses $230,071
Program Expenses $2,370,042
Other Expenses $782,836
TOTAL EXPENSES $3,135,131

Year-over-Year Comparison

2024 2023 Change
Revenue $3,784,106 $2,511,317 +0.5%
Expenses $3,135,131 $3,768,967 -0.2%
Net Income $648,975 $-1,257,650 -1.5%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
8
Independent Members
8
Employees
5
Volunteers
10

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
5
$213,648
Total Directors
10
$0
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
0
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
SIBONGILE BONGI MKHABELA CHAIR - AS OF 4/2025 5.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
GLORIA JOHNSON-CUSACK CHAIR - UNTIL 4/2025 5.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
MARK LOREY VICE CHAIR/SECRETARY 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
ELISA DE MARTEL TREASURER 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
CHRISTOPHER IFEANYI-NWANZE BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
YVETTE KATHURIMA BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JIMMY KOLKER BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JOYCE MALOMBE BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ROSE MARURU BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
SIBONGILE BONGI MKHABELA BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MARIEME DAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00
Officer
$180,208 $33,440 $213,648
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 $3,784,106 $3,135,131 $17,198,044 $648,975
2024 $2,511,317 $3,768,967 $15,817,280 $-1,257,650
2023 $3,827,082 $4,257,666 $16,924,788 $-430,584
2022 $13,118,127 $3,408,407 $17,502,770 $9,709,720
2021 $1,675,905 $3,887,987 $8,314,589 $-2,212,082
2020 $6,293,430 $3,860,459 $10,298,929 $2,432,971
2019 $5,069,545 $4,391,712 $7,684,459 $677,833
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