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First Friends of New Jersey and New York

EIN 26-2325815 · West New York, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceFair66 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FIRST FRIENDS OF NJ & NY UPHOLDS THE INHERENT DIGNITY AND HUMANITY OF DETAINED IMMIGRANTS. WE PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO IMMIGRANTS IN IMMIGRATION DETENTION, INCLUDING VOLUNTEER VISITATIONS, PEN-PALS, REFERRALS TO OTHER SERVICES, AND ADVOCACY.

Income
$324,902
Spending
$326,190
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
6.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
3
Volunteers
100

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: 86 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 (4)
  1. $97,535 spent. DETAINEE ASSISTANCEFIRST FRIENDS STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED VISITATION (IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL) AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO PEOPLE AT IMMIGRATION DETENTION FACILITIES IN NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, AND PENNSYLVANIA. THIS ALSO INCLUDES DEPOSITS INTO DETAINED IMMIGRANT FRIENDS' COMMISSARY ACCOUNTS, OPERATING THE DEDICATED IMMIGRANT HOTLINE, AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE PEN PAL PROGRAM.
  2. $31,044 spent. RELEASE & POST RELEASE ASSISTANCEFIRST FRIENDS PROVIDED HANDS-ON RELEASE AND POST-RELEASE SUPPORT FOR FRIENDS WHO WERE RELEASED FROM DETENTION. THIS INCLUDED PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION FOR RELEASED FRIENDS TO RETURN TO THEIR FAMILIES AND PROVIDNG FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP RELEASED INDIVIDUALS COVER THE COST OF FOOD, RENT AND UTILITIES.
  3. $79,213 spent. IMMIGRATION BONDSFIRST FRIENDS OPERATES AN IMMIGRATION BOND SUPPORT PROGRAM TO HELP DETAINED IMMIGRANTS OBTAIN RELEASE FROM ICE CUSTODY. WE PROVIDE PARTIAL AND, IN SOME CASES, FULL BOND CONTRIBUTIONS, PRIORITIZE INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND STRONG COMMUNITY TIES, AND ACCOMPANY THEM WITH POST-RELEASE SUPPORT SO THEY CAN REUNITE WITH LOVED ONES AND CONTINUE THEIR IMMIGRATION CASES IN THE COMMUNITY.
  4. $59,686 spent. ADVOCACYFIRST FRIENDS PROVIDED EDUCATION WORKSHOPS AND RAN ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR THE DETAINEES, FIGHT FOR RELEASES, AND END DETENTION. WORKSHOPS WERE CONDUCTED WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS SUCH AS UNIVERSITIES, SCHOOLS, AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.SHARED PROGRAM EXPENSES

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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2009.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.