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Safe Voices

EIN 01-0352658 · Lewiston, ME

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of Safe Voices is to provide person-to-person, individualized advocacy for all survivors of domestic abuse and violence, sex trafficking, and sexual exploitation in Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford Counties and engage our communities in social change to eliminate violence.

Income
$4.1 million
Spending
$3.5 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
-5.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 58%
Employees
47
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$126,543, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 45% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $819,343 spent. SHELTER Safe Voices works to alleviate housing instability for survivors of domestic abuse and sex trafficking by providing emergency shelter and housing services to increase survivors' long-term safety, stability, and self-sufficiency. We provide advocacy and support in a case management model and we work with survivors to determine basic needs and resources that will help bridge the gaps created through the isolating experiences of abuse or trafficking. We focus on helping families move out of homelessness and into permanent housing, connecting them to community resources and services, so they can increase their income, obtain employment or pursue an educational goal, and attain housing stability, with wraparound services continuing for up to 24 months after survivors leave our emergency shelters.
  2. $1.2 million spent. ADVOCACY INTERVENTION & PREVENTION Safe Voices' Advocacy, Intervention and Prevention team offers a full range of trauma-informed and trauma-responsive services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sex trafficking, and sexual exploitation including a 24-hour Helpline, emergency shelter and safe house, individual safety planning, court advocacy, support groups, community education, and school-based prevention programming. Safe Voices is dedicated to tailoring services to individual needs to create a survivor-centered experience in a way that is accessible, safe, and comfortable for each person. Our victim's services programming provides comprehensive advocacy and support services aligned with the empowerment model for survivors, resulting in improved and enhanced victim safety and self-sufficiency.
  3. $408,881 spent. DVIP Safe Voices operates the largest certified Domestic Violence Intervention Program (CDVIP or DVIP) for offenders in Maine. This educational program provides an opportunity for men who choose abusive behaviors to learn new ways of thinking, acting, and behaving in relationships. DVIP elevates accountability while offering the opportunity for abusers to change the beliefs that drive them to use violence and control in relationships. Weekly DVIP classes are facilitated with the aim of creatively fostering active participation among the program participants.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1981.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.