Choices for Victims of Domestic Violence
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO CREATE A BETTER WORLD BY SERVING PEOPLE IN NEED BY OPERATING FOOD PANTRIES, HOMELESS SHELTERS, A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER, AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMUNITIES, SENIOR LIVING, ASSISTED LIVING AND SKILLED CARE FACILITIES, A HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICE AND OTHER SERVICES THAT ASSIST FAMILIES.
- Income
- $5.2 million
- Spending
- $6.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 60%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 254
- Highest pay
- $313,109, president & ceo
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
Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 45% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 33% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 16% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $6.2 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE O24-HOUR CRISIS, INFORMATION & REFFERAL HOTLINE:CHOICES RECEIVES THOUSANDS OF CALLS EACH YEAR FROM PEOPLE LIVING IN FEAR FROM THE THREAT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. TO MEET THIS INCREDIBLE DEMAND, CHOICES PROVIDES A CRISIS, INFORMATION, AND REFERRAL HOTLINE THAT IS AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK, 365 DAYS A YEAR. THIS RESOURCE IS THE ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND IN CENTRAL OHIO AND IS AVAILABLE TO ANYONE IN NEED OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE. HOTLINE STAFF ARE TRAINED TO LISTEN, ASK QUESTIONS, DISCUSS ALTERNATIVES, AND ULTIMATELY REFER CALLERS TO SPECIFIC PROGRAMS AND SERVICES BASED ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS.TEMPORARY SHELTER:THE FACT THAT CHOICES OFFERS TEMPORARY SHELTER IS WELL KNOWN, BUT THE LOCATION IS KEPT CONFIDENTIAL FOR SAFETY PURPOSES. A DEDICATED STAFF HAS GUARANTEED ITS OPERATION 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK SINCE 1977, MAKING IT THE LONGEST-RUNNING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER IN CENTRAL OHIO. COUNSELING:CHOICES OFFERS PROBLEM-SOLVING COUNSELING, SUPPORT, RESOURCES AND REFERRALS TO THOSE VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WHO DO NOT REQUIRE RESIDENTIAL SERVICES. DAY OR NIGHT, SERVICES RANGING FROM INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS TO EDUCATIONAL GROUPS ARE AVAILABLE AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. ALL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS WITH GRADUATE-LEVEL CREDENTIALS. TREATMENT GOALS ARE DEVELOPED COOPERATIVELY AND FOCUS ON ISSUES OF SELF-ESTEEM AND EMPOWERMENT, AS WELL AS IMPROVING DECISION-MAKING SKILLS. PERSONAL, PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL SAFETY PLANS ARE EXPLORED AND DEFINED.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1977.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.