Accountability from the beginning
FFM’s board adopted its governance policies and financial controls at formation. These are the standards for the work we are preparing to fund, including the proposed school with Manna.
Before a grant is made
- The board approves the partner and the grant.
- Due diligence includes legal registration, governing documents, leadership, and financial information.
- Partners are screened against U.S. sanctions lists.
- Every grant requires a written agreement and board approval.
Manna must complete the same grant process as any other partner. The school grant agreement has not yet been signed.
As the work proceeds
- Capital and construction grants move in milestone-based tranches.
- Progress must be verified before the next release.
- Every foreign wire requires two signatures.
- Any disbursement over $5,000 requires two signatures.
- FFM retains full discretion and control over its funds.
The board of directors
Three of our five directors are independent. Trevor and Claire Duffy are married. Conflicts of interest require disclosure and recusal from self-interested decisions.
- Trevor DuffyFounder & President · Director
- Claire DuffySecretary · Director
- Jacob JohnsonTreasurer · Director
- Deanna Cherry GormanDirector
- David KaminskiDirector
Policies behind the work
| Policy or control | What it governs |
|---|---|
| Bylaws | Board responsibility, oversight, and how decisions are made. |
| Conflict of interest policy | Annual disclosures and recusal on self-interested votes. |
| Grantmaking policy | Partner review, written agreements, board approval, and staged capital grants. |
| Benevolence policy | Approval thresholds, no insider assistance, and vendor-direct payment where appropriate. |
| Financial controls | Two-signature rules and accountable expense handling. |
To ask about our policies or financial oversight, contact the ministry. Policy summaries on this page are not a substitute for the signed documents.
Our nonprofit status
Fire & Freedom Ministries was incorporated in Tennessee on September 4, 2026. Our full Form 1023 application has been filed.
Because the application was filed within 27 months of incorporation, we expect exemption to apply retroactively to September 4, 2026. Gifts are expected to be deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please consult your tax advisor.
Legal name: Fire & Freedom Ministries
EIN: 42-4908751
Tennessee control number: 002143958
Fiscal year: Ends December 31
How campaign contributions are handled
The school campaign is a unified fundraising effort. Contributions are under the full direction and control of FFM’s Board of Directors; FFM does not act as a conduit for gifts earmarked to individuals or foreign recipients.
The approximately $300,000 figure is a planning estimate. We are not reporting a verified amount raised or a program spending percentage on this site. The final campaign goal will follow completed drawings and the construction budget.
Where we stand
| Item | Status as of October 20, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Incorporation & EIN | Complete. |
| Board & adopted policies | Organized and adopted. |
| IRS recognition | Application pending. |
| School drawings & budget | Awaiting completion with Manna. |
| School grant agreement | Required before any funds move; not yet signed. |
| Online giving | Being finalized. |
| School construction | Not begun; subject to full funding and readiness. |
Respect for the people we serve
We do not publish a person’s sensitive history without explicit permission. Photographs from ministry visits are not evidence of school enrollment or a person’s private circumstances.
As the work progresses, our updates will distinguish decisions, plans, completed work, and measured outcomes.