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Collective Action for Safe Space

EIN 27-3963489 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 48% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR SAFE SPACES (CASS) IS A BLACK TRANS AND QUEER LED ORGANIZATION THAT USES PUBLIC EDUCATION, CULTURAL ORGANIZING, COALITION-BUILDING, AND ADVOCACY TO BUILD COMMUNITY SAFETY. CASS CULTIVATES THE GREATER DC COMMUNITYS CAPACITY TO RESPOND DIRECTLY TO PATRIARCHAL AND STATE VIOLENCE THROUGH TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE AND ABOLITIONIST FRAMEWORKS.

Income
$340,790
Spending
$412,599
Spent on programs
48%
Reserves
14.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
3
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$98,460, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    48% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 September 30, 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 (2)
  1. $148,785 spent. TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE HUB: AIMED AT CREATING AN ECOSYSTEM OF COMMUNITY-BASED SUPPORT AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR SURVIVORS. THIS HUB CONSISTS OF A MONTHLY STUDY GROUP OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS READY TO LEAD TJ WORK IN DC, COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS FOR PARTICIPANTS TO GAIN TANGIBLE SKILLS, RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH AN ONLINE DIRECTORY, AND A SURVIVOR NEEDS ASSESSMENT RESEARCH PROJECT.
  2. $49,595 spent. WORKSHOPS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: WE OFFER BYSTANDER INTERVENTION, TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE 101, AND ANTI-OPPRESSION WORKSHOPS AND ENGAGE IN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECTS INCLUDING ASSESSING AND REVAMPING WORKPLACE ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICIES, SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROCESSES, AND SURVEYING BOARD AND STAFF EQUITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 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 March 2013.

    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.