Self-crosslinkable binder compositions which include a copolymer obtained by reacting a mixture of monomers in the presence of an organic solvent, wherein the monomer mixture includes a carboxylic acid monomer, a polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and a crosslinkable acrylamide monomer. Intumescent coatings containing the self-crosslinkable binder, and substrates coated with the intumescent coatings are also disclosed.