Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Southern Arizona Childrens Advocacy Center Inc

EIN 26-3208123 · Tucson, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE CHIDRENS ADVOCACY CENTER OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE, COMPASSIONATE, HEALING ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OR WITNESSED A CRIME. VISION: PROVIDE EACH CHILD WITH THE SAFETY THEY NEED TO TELL THEIR STORY PROVIDE EACH FAMILY MEMBER WITH HEALING SERVICES HOLD ABUSERS ACCOUNTABLE. VALUES: COLLABORATION-WE WORK ACROSS SECTORS WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERS TO PREVENT AND ADDRESS ABUSE QUALITY- WE STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE IN ALL WE DO, FOR THE SAKE OF THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WE SERVE IMPACT- WE WORK TO CHANGE LIVES WE TOUCH FOR THE COMMUNITY WE CALL HOME.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
6.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 45%
Employees
27
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$99,269, executive dir.

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

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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 June 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 (1)
  1. $1.6 million spent. CHILDRENS ADVOCACY CENTERS WERE DEVELOPED IN THE MID-1980S TO ADDRESS SYSTEMATIC PROBLEMS OF COORDINATION AND CARE FOR CHILD ABUSE CASES. RESEARCH CLEARLY SHOWS THAT ADVOCACY SERVICES ARE ESSENTIAL FOR THE FUTURE WELL BEING OF VICTIMS AND THEIR HEALING PROCESS. MINORS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE SERVICE AT CACS ARE LESS LIKELY TO RECEIVE MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS OR FOLLOW-UP, AND ARE LESS LIKELY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROSECUTION OF OFFENDERS. THE CAC MODEL ALSO ENCOURAGES THE INVOLVEMENT AND COMMITMENT OF THE VICITMS FAMILY IN THEIR LONG-TERM HEALING. SACAC PROVIDES PROFESSIONALLY COORDINATED, BILINGUAL SERVICES TO SUPPORT FAMILIES AND TO INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. FOLLOWING NATIONAL STANDARDS, SACACS DEDICATED, CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL STAFF PROVIDES FORENSIC INTERVIEWS, CONNECTIONS TO RESOURCES, AND MEDICAL SERVICES IN A SINGLE YOUTH-FRIENDLY LOCATION. USE OF THIS MODEL REDUCES VICTIM STRESS WHILE ALSO NEARLY DOUBLING THE RATE OF PROSECUTION. OUR DEDICATED, PROFESSIONAL STAFF PROVIDE CRISIS INTERVENTION FOR IMMEDIATE SUPPORT AND STABILIZATION DURING THE INITIAL VISIT. CASE MANAGEMENT AND WRAPAROUND SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES SUPPORT THEIR JOURNEY OF HEALING THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS. THIS MAY INCLUDE REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES AS WELL AS THERAPY, FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS, SURVIVOR EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMING, AND SIMPLE SUPPORTS LIKE GROCERIES, TOILETRIES, AND SCHOOL SUPPPLIES. 100 OF OUR CLIENTS INDICATE THEIR CHILD FELT SAFE AT THE CENTER AND THAT THEY RECEIVED THE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT THEY NEEDED.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 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 November 6, 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 June 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 August 1996.

    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 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.