What Burn Institute does

The Burn Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID 23-7260718) founded in 1972 by Dr. Hugh Frank in San Diego, California, to mobilize community resources for specialized burn treatment and fire prevention. It operates two offices — a San Diego headquarters at 2508 Historic Decatur Rd, Suite 110, and an Imperial Valley office at 612 J Street, Suite 3 — delivering fire and burn prevention education and burn survivor support services across San Diego and Imperial counties. The organization helped establish the UCSD Regional Burn Center in 1973 and continues to assist burn patients with housing, transportation, and meal vouchers during treatment.

The Institute runs five core programs: Fire Safe Kids (in-school K-6 fire and scald-prevention presentations reaching 50,000+ students annually), Fire Safe Seniors (free in-home smoke and CO alarm installation for homeowners 62+), Youth Fire Setter Intervention (evidence-based risk assessment and counseling for ages 5-18), Fire Safe Workplace (OSHA 1910.157-aligned training for employers), and Camp Beyond the Scars (week-long sleepaway camp for burn survivors ages 8-17, operated since 1987 with 3,000+ lifetime campers). Supporting services include monthly virtual burn survivor support groups, an internship pipeline, downloadable bilingual safety resources, and emergency needs assistance for families in active treatment.

Revenue is generated primarily through individual donations (one-time and monthly recurring, with a $100/month anchor funding a senior smoke alarm), signature fundraising events (the 34-year-old Firefighter Demolition Derby and the Fire Chiefs' Golf Classic), corporate and foundation grants at defined sponsor tiers (Presenting $10,000, Major $5,000), planned/legacy giving (newly enabled via a FreeWill partnership), and a small fee-for-service line ($750 per Fire Safe Workplace session for up to 30 employees). The Board of Directors embeds senior leaders from SDG&E, Kaiser Permanente, UCSD Burn Center, San Diego Fire-Rescue, Local 145, Cal Coast Credit Union, and Viejas Fire Department, reflecting the organization's ecosystem-based operating model.

Name

Burn Institute

Legal name

Burn Institute

Website

https://burninstitute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Burn Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1972 in San Diego that delivers fire and burn prevention education and burn survivor support services across San Diego and Imperial Valley counties through school programs, home visits, workplace training, and survivor camps.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fire and Burn Prevention Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Fire Protection (922160)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Fire Prevention, Inspection & Code Enforcement (Life Safety) (BPAIAGAL)

Keywords

• Fire safety education
• Burn prevention programs
• Burn survivor support
• Smoke alarm installation
• Nonprofit community services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals via one-time or monthly recurring donations. The Burn Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization with tax ID 23-7260718.
2. Special Events Revenue: Fundraising through annual events including Firefighter Demolition Derby, Fire Chiefs' Golf Classic, and other community events. Teams raise funds through car sponsorship and event participation.
3. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Funding from corporate sponsors, foundations, and President Circle members. Includes major sponsors at various levels (Presenting Sponsors $10,000, Major Sponsors $5,000, etc.).
4. Fire Safe Workplace Training: $750 per training session for up to 30 employees. Fulfills OSHA business safety requirements (1910.157) for two years. Available in English and Spanish.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Burn Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides fire and burn prevention education to community members of all ages, free smoke alarm installations for seniors, intervention services for at-risk youth, and ongoing support programs for burn survivors. It also offers OSHA-compliant workplace fire safety training as a paid service. Programs are delivered through schools, home visits, community events, and partnerships with fire departments across San Diego and Imperial Valley counties.

Product overview

The Burn Institute is a nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) serving San Diego and Imperial Valley since 1972, offering a comprehensive portfolio of fire/burn prevention programs and burn survivor support services. The organization's core offerings include: Fire Safe Kids (school-based K-6th grade fire safety education reaching 50,000+ students annually), Fire Safe Seniors (free smoke/CO alarm installation for seniors 62+), Youth Fire Setter Intervention (evidence-based intervention for at-risk youth), Fire Safe Workplace (OSHA-compliant workplace training), and Camp Beyond the Scars (free week-long summer camp for burn survivors ages 8-17). Supporting these programs are burn survivor support groups, emergency needs assistance, fire prevention educational resources, internship opportunities, and annual fundraising events including the Firefighter Demolition Derby and Golf Classic. The organization partners with the UCSD Regional Burn Center and operates from offices in San Diego and Imperial Valley.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Camp Beyond the Scars: A week-long sleepaway summer camp for burn survivors ages 8-17, providing healing, encouragement, and peer support since 1987.

Products and services

• Fire Safe Kids Interactive school-based fire safety presentation educating K-6th graders on escape plans, stop/drop/roll, and scald prevention. Reaches 50,000+ students annually through in-school presentations in San Diego and Imperial Counties.
• Fire Safe Seniors Free smoke and carbon monoxide alarm installation program for homeowners aged 62+ in San Diego and Imperial Counties, including fire safety education delivered during home visits.
• Youth Fire Setter Intervention (YFS) Referral-based intervention program for youth ages 5-18 engaging in dangerous fire-setting behaviors. Uses evidence-based risk assessment tools to provide education, positive redirection, and referrals at no cost.
• Fire Safe Workplace Workplace fire safety training program including expert-led fire extinguisher training, evacuation planning, and OSHA compliance (1910.157). Offered in English and Spanish for up to 30 employees at $750 per session.
• Camp Beyond the Scars Week-long sleepaway summer camp for burn survivors ages 8-17 held at Indian Hills Camp in Jamul. Provides peer support, life skills development, and recreational activities at no cost to families. Over 3,000 campers served since 1987.
• Burn Survivor Support Groups Monthly virtual support groups for burn survivors and caregivers including separate groups for men (second Wednesday) and women (third Thursday), held via Zoom at no charge.
• Fire Prevention Resources Free downloadable fire safety educational materials including wildfire guides, burn and fire safety guides, scald prevention materials, and resources for families and children. Available in English and Spanish.
• Firefighter Demolition Derby & Fire Safety Expo Annual fundraising event featuring fire department demolition derby competitions, firefighting demonstrations, and fire/burn prevention education pavilion. Now in its 34th year, held at San Diego County Fairgrounds.
• Fire Chiefs' Golf Classic Annual golf tournament fundraiser hosted by San Diego County Fire Chiefs benefiting Burn Institute programs and services.
• Emergency Needs Assistance Financial support services for families whose loved ones are receiving hospital care for burn injuries. Assists with housing, transportation, meal vouchers, and other necessities during treatment at UCSD Regional Burn Center.

Quantifiable outcome

• 34,405 students trained in fire safety (2024)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• UCSD Regional Burn CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished in 1973, the partnership helped found the UCSD Regional Burn Center which provides specialized medical and surgical treatment for burn patients. The Burn Institute assists burn survivors with housing, transportation, meal vouchers, and other necessities during treatment. The Center admits 400-500 patients annually and provides outpatient treatment to 800+ new patients.
• San Diego Fire-Rescue DepartmentcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFire Safe Kids program delivered to schools throughout the county. Firefighters participate as role models and presenters. Chief Robert Logan serves on the Board of Directors.
• SDG&E (Sempra Energy)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerSDG&E employees serve on the Board of Directors (Jorge Balvaneda, Jim Boland). SDG&E is a presenting sponsor for Camp Beyond the Scars and participates in community outreach events.
• San Diego Firefighters Local 145majorGTM or Marketing PartnerSan Diego Firefighters Local 145 is a presenting sponsor for Camp Beyond the Scars and participates in the Firefighter Demolition Derby event.
• Oceanside Fire Department & American Red CrossminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for smoke alarm installation program. Video documentation of a family saved demonstrates successful multi-organizational collaboration.
• Del Mar Arena / San Diego County FairminorOthersVenue partner for annual Firefighter Demolition Derby event held at the San Diego County Fairgrounds.
• Indian Hills Camp (Jamul)coreOthersCamp venue for Camp Beyond the Scars annual summer program. Located at Indian Hills Camp in Jamul, CA. Address: 15763 Lyons Valley Rd, Jamul CA 91935.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Home Fire Safety Programs (CAL FIRE): California state agency providing defensible space inspections, public fire safety education, and community preparedness programs. Public-sector peer with overlapping fire prevention education mission in California.
• California Fire Foundation: California-focused nonprofit supporting victims of wildfires and fire-related disasters with financial assistance and community education. Comparable fire safety mission within overlapping California geography.

Emerging players

• Safe Kids Worldwide: Global nonprofit dedicated to preventing childhood injury, including fire and burn prevention education for children. Overlapping K-6 fire safety curriculum delivery model.

Broad incumbents

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): National organization providing fire safety education, training, and code development. Comparable fire prevention education mission at national scale, including curriculum that organizations like Burn Institute adapt.
• American Burn Association: Professional association dedicated to improving the lives of burn survivors through research, education, and advocacy. Broader scope than Burn Institute but operates in the same burn care ecosystem.
• Shriners Hospitals for Children - Burns Program: Specialty pediatric hospital system with significant burn care programs providing treatment, research, and family support. Comparable burn survivor focus but operates as a healthcare provider rather than community nonprofit.
• American Red Cross (Sound the Alarm / Home Fire Campaign): National nonprofit running free smoke alarm installation and home fire safety education programs nationwide. Already partners with Burn Institute; comparable fire safety education and smoke alarm installation services.

Direct peers

• Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation: California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing burn prevention education, survivor support services, and camp programs. Most directly comparable peer given shared mission, geography, and program structure.
• Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors: National nonprofit dedicated to empowering burn survivors and their families through peer support, education, and advocacy. Directly comparable survivor support programs and peer support model.

Others

• Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation: Major health-focused nonprofit providing grants, advocacy, and quality-of-life programs for individuals with specific trauma. Comparable nonprofit structure, donor-funded model, and survivor support service approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Burn_Institute
• Facebookfacebook.com/BurnInstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/burn-institute

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles26 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Burn Institute