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License to Freedom

EIN 20-1057775 · El Cajon, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LICENSE TO FREEDOM PROMOTES NONVIOLENCE THROUGH COMMUNITY EDUCATION, SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND ADVOCACY FOR REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS OF DOMESTICAND RELATIONSHIP ABUSE IN THE EAST COUNTY AND SAN DIEGO REGION.THE ORGANIZATION IS COMPRISED OF A GROUP OF ADVOCATES THAT BELIEVE THATEVERY PERSON HAS A RIGHT TO LIVE WITHOUT FEAR, THAT REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANTAND BATTERED WOMEN AND CHILDREN SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEEK AND RECEIVE HELP ANDSERVICES THAT ARE RESPECTFUL OF OUR LANGUAGES,CULTURES, RACE, AGE, SEXUALORIENTATION, DISABILITIES AND RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
4.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
20
Highest pay
$110,000, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 80% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 2024, 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)
  1. $1.3 million spent. LICENSE TO FREEDOM PROVIDES COUNSELING, ACCESS TO EXPRESSIVE ARTS ANDADDRESSES THE REALITY OF FORCED MARRIAGE AND ASSISTS IN PREPARINGORGANIZATIONS THAT MAY COME INTO CONTACT WITH REFUGEES LIVING IN THE UNITEDSTATES WHILE ALSO OFFERING SOLUTIONS TO THE REFUGEE COMMUNITY AND THE GIRLSAND YOUNG WOMEN IN FORCED MARRIAGE ARRANGEMENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 June 2004.

    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.