Advocates for Freedom
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
ADVOCATES FOR FREEDOM (AFF) IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE PREVENTION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, THE EDUCATION OF COMMUNITIES, AND THE SUPPORT OF SURVIVORS.
- Income
- $182,734
- Spending
- $72,359
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 28.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 94%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 120
- Highest pay
- $10,000, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 28.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 60% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 71% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (3)
- $30,540 spent. EDUCATION/PUBLIC AWARENESS: AFF PROVIDES COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND EQUIP INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, AND ORGANIZATIONS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE TO RECOGNIZE, PREVENT, AND RESPOND TO TRAFFICKING SITUATIONS. THESE EFFORTS INCLUDE PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, WORKSHOPS, COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL AND STATE ENTITIES, AND PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY EVENTS. AFF ALSO UTILIZES OUTREACH TOOLS SUCH AS DIGITAL MEDIA, PRINT MATERIALS, AND PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS TO REACH A BROAD AUDIENCE AND PROMOTE THE NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE.
- $20,660 spent. VICTIM SUPPORT: AFF IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING THROUGH BOTH DIRECT AND INDIRECT ASSISTANCE. SERVICES MAY INCLUDE EMERGENCY SUPPORT SUCH AS FOOD, TEMPORARY LODGING, CLOTHING, TRANSPORTATION, AND ESSENTIAL HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, AS WELL AS REFERRALS TO SAFE HOUSING, COUNSELING, MEDICAL CARE, AND OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES. AFF ALSO PROVIDES ONGOING EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, ADVOCACY, AND GUIDANCE TO HELP SURVIVORS TRANSITION TOWARD STABILITY, INDEPENDENCE, AND LONG-TERM RECOVERY.
- $4,378 spent. COMMUNITY COLLABORATION AND ADVOCACY: AFF WORKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS TO STRENGTHEN COORDINATED RESPONSES TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING. THROUGH THESE COLLABORATIONS, AFF PROMOTES PREVENTION STRATEGIES, SUPPORTS VICTIM-CENTERED APPROACHES, AND ADVOCATES FOR POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT PROTECT VULNERABLE POPULATIONS. THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS, ADVOCATES FOR FREEDOM STRIVES TO CREATE SAFER COMMUNITIES, EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS WITH KNOWLEDGE, AND PROVIDE MEANINGFUL SUPPORT TO THOSE IMPACTED BY HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2011.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.