Illinois Fire Chiefs Educational & Research Foundation
The Educational & Research Foundation is a fundraising arm of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association. Annual scholarships are provided to members of the fire service to continue their professional development.
The purposes of the Foundation are those enumerated in the Articles of Incorporation, dated December 20, 1978, and amended May 20, 1980: To operate as a not-for-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Illinois;
To receive from public, private, industrial and governmental sources any gifts, grants, bequests, contracts, legacies, and donations of money, real and personal property, services and other things of value and to disburse funds for the promotion of the objectives of this corporation consistent with the limitations on charitable, educational, and research groups as not-for-profit corporations under the laws of the State of Illinois and of the United States;
To conduct or cause to be conducted research and development of managerial and personnel systems, education, and training for governmental and fire service administration;
To provide educational scholarships and grants to students, educational institutions, municipal and state governmental units, and fire departments for undergraduate, post-graduate, and vocational education, training, and research;
To conduct or cause to be conducted research into technical, life safety, scientific, and other problems confronting the fire service.
To preserve and protect the information, processes, plans, equipment, technical data, and all other results and developments arising from the efforts of the corporation by patent, copyright, and other rights at law, and to license such rights for the benefit of the corporation and the general public of the State of Illinois, specifically and the public welfare in general;
To engage in any other act or acts consistent with the purposes of this corporation, consistent with the laws of this state. No assets of this corporation shall be distributed to or inure to the benefit of any member, officer, or director of this corporation. This provision shall not restrict the right of the corporation to compensate any officer, member, or director, or any other person, for actual services performed or expenses incurred; membership classes shall be as stated in the by-laws.
A message from Foundation President Chief J.P. Moore (ret)
The Educational & Research Foundation is a 501(3)(c) not-for-profit corporation. The IFCA Foundation was incorporated on December 20, 1978, and amended May 20, 1980 to operate as a not-for-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Illinois;
The Foundation Board consists of seventeen (17) individuals from the fire service, corporations and small business and are appointed for a three-year term. The Illinois Fire Chiefs Association’s Second Vice-President by virtue of the office serves as a Foundation member. Appointments are made by the IFCA Foundation President, Illinois Fire Chiefs Association’s President and by vote of the Directors serving on the Board of Directors.
The Educational & Research Foundation’s mission is to:
- To provide Fire Officer I, II, Company Fire Officer, Advanced Fire Officer and Chief Fire Officer Certification courses;
- To provide educational scholarships and grants to students, educational institutions, municipal and state governmental units, and fire departments for under-graduate, post-graduate, and vocational education, training, and research;
- To conduct or cause to be conducted research and development of managerial and personnel systems, education, and training for governmental and fire service administration;
- To conduct seminars, mini-symposiums on current fire service topics as needed.
IFCA Major Donors
Bensenville Firemen’s Association
The Bensenville Firemen’s Association began a group of volunteers, dedicated to protecting their community. In about 1950, the group built a fire hall next to the fire station. This hall was the site of many community events. As the volunteers dwindled the hall was rented to the community for special events. In 1992, the members of the Association established a trust to take care of the building. Over years, the hall became to expensive to maintain and difficult to sustain rentals. In 2025, the remaining members chose to disband the Bensenville Firemen’s Association. As defined in the trust, the remaining proceeds of the Association were given to the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association Educational and Research Foundation. The hope is that these funds may be used to help volunteer firefighters in Illinois through the mission of the Foundation.
The Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation
The Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation, established in 1947, is a philanthropic foundation that carries forward Dan and Ada’s commitment to charitable giving. For decades the Rice Foundation has been a significant benefactor to a wide array of institutions, especially in the Chicago area. The Foundation serves as a perpetual philanthropic legacy of the Rices, reflecting the broad interests and big hearts of Dan and Ada. Their foresight in endowing the foundation means that, well into the 21st century, causes they believed in continue to flourish. The Rice Foundation has generously supported the Chief Fire Officer Program through the Illinois Fire Chiefs Educational and Research Foundation. Offering scholarships to defray part of the tuition cost for students who would otherwise need to pay their own way, the Rice Foundation is helping Chief Fire Officers gain the education needed to help protect their communities. For more information on the Rice Foundation, click here.
