Advocates Against Family Violence Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Advocates Against Family Violence (AAFV) works to eliminate violence in families and homes by empowering individuals to make positive life choices through support, advocacy, education, awareness, affordable housing and community involvement.
- Income
- $2.9 million
- Spending
- $2.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- -4.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 57%
- Employees
- 36
- Volunteers
- 59
- Highest pay
- $118,216, manager
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 47% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (1)
- $2.4 million spent. Hope's Door Shelter is a 17,000 sq. ft. facility located on three acres that has 29 individually decorated rooms and offers a safe place to live free of abuse. During the year many women and children lived at the shelter. Total shelter nights provided over the year was over 10,546 cumulative nights. The Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) is a coalition of sexual assault nurse examiners, rape victim advocates, law enforcement officer, emergency room staff, and prosecuting attorneys that was developed to coordinate the community's response to sexual assault This team provided support and services to adults and children of physical and sexual abuse cases. The transitional Housing program offers housing, utility and child care assistance to women and children who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking or sexual assault. Many victims of domestic violence were assisted with rent, utilities, child care vouchers, bus passes and gas vouchers. Through Rural Domestic Violence Program, AAFV collaborates with law enforcement and the judicial system to provide advocacy and support for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and sexual assault. AAFV offers classes and group sessions to help develop skills essential for a healthy relationship and to become self-sufficient. These classes include: Boundaries, Self-Esteem, Safety Planning, Protection Order Orientation, Life Skills, Anger Management, Parenting, Adult and Children support groups. Our attendance has been good to these classes. Hope's Door offers women fleeing domestic violence and healing with substance abuse issues a safe and sober living environment for them and their children. We also provide case management treatment referrals, drug testing, and educational classes.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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 October 13, 2026.
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 November 6, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 2003.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 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.