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Defy Ventures Inc

EIN 27-3611908 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DEFY VENTURES' MISSION IS TO SHIFT MINDSETS TO GIVE PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL HISTORIES THEIR BEST SHOT AT A SECOND CHANCE BY PROVIDING THEM WITH PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, CAREER READINESS, AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING. DEFY'S VISION IS TO CUT THE RECIDIVISM RATE IN HALF BY LEVERAGING ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO INCREASE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND TRANSFORM LIVES.

Income
$4.6 million
Spending
$4.3 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
60
Volunteers
904
Highest pay
$174,535, cfo (through 12/24)

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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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 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. $3.4 million spent. WE'RE PROUD OF DEFY'S RESULTS AND ARE EXCITED TO SHOW SUPPORTERS THE RESULTS OF THEIR INVESTMENT OF TIME AND FUNDING. SINCE THE LAUNCH OF OUR PROGRAM IN JANUARY 2012, DEFY HAS:1. SERVED NEARLY 10,000 ENTREPRENEURS IN TRAINING (EITS) IN OUR IN-PRISON AND POST-RELEASE PROGRAM. EITS COMPLETE A RIGOROUS SIX- TO NINE-MONTH CURRICULUM CULMINATING IN A BUSINESS PITCH COMPETITION AND GRADUATION AS PART OF THE IN-PRISON PROGRAM. THE POST-RELEASE PROGRAM INCLUDES WORKSHOPS, MENTORING, AND A BUSINESS INCUBATOR.2. ENGAGED 8,500+ EXECUTIVE VOLUNTEERS, INCLUDING VOLUNTEERS FROM HEDGE FUNDS, INVESTMENT BANKS, VENTURE CAPITAL AND PRIVATE EQUITY FIRMS, FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES, AND ENTREPRENEURIAL VENTURES. VOLUNTEERS SERVED AS BUSINESS PITCH COMPETITION JUDGES, MENTORS, AND RESUME COACHES.3. GROWN TO SERVE IN NINE STATES (CA, CT, IL, NJ, NY, PA, UT, WA, WI).4. RECORDED A ONE YEAR RECIDIVISM RATE OF LESS THAN 10%, AND A THREE-YEAR RECIDIVISM RATE OF LESS THAN 15%.5. LAUNCHED 215+ BUSINESSES, INCLUDING INCORPORATION AND SEED FUNDING.6. RAISED OVER $37 MILLION IN PRIVATE & PUBLIC FUNDING SINCE INCEPTION (2010).

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 November 2010.

    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.