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Between Friends

EIN 36-3460990 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BETWEEN FRIENDS IS A NONPROFIT AGENCY DEDICATED TO BREAKING THE CYCLE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND BUILDING A COMMUNITY FREE OF ABUSE.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$3.2 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 85%
Employees
19
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$118,450, 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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 35% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 (3)
  1. $1.1 million spent. COUNSELING AND ADVOCACY CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:CRISIS LINE: 24-HOUR ACCESS, TOLL-FREE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE (1-800-603-HELP) IS A PRIMARY POINT OF ACCESS FOR INDIVIDUALS SEEKING HELP. TRAINED VOLUNTEERS AND EMPLOYEES PROVIDE CALLERS WITH SAFETY PLANNING, CONNECTIONS TO BETWEEN FRIENDS' SERVICES AND OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES, AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT.COUNSELING AND SUPPORT SERVICES:A CLINICAL TEAM OF MASTERS-LEVEL COUNSELORS PROVIDE EVIDENCED-BASED COUNSELING AND TRAUMA-INFORMED SUPPORT SERVICES, CHILD-PARENT PSYCHOTHERAPY (CPP), ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT EDUCATION, ENGAGEMENT IN PRO-SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND CHILDCARE.COURT ADVOCACY: ENGLISH AND SPANISH-SPEAKING ADVOCATES SERVE VICTIMS IN THE CHICAGO AND ROLLING MEADOWS COURTHOUSES, EXPLAINING LEGAL RIGHTS UNDER THE ILLINOIS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT, COURT ACCOMPANIMENT, ASSISTING IN SEEKING ORDERS OF PROTECTION, AS WELL AS PROVIDING EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, RESOURCES, AND SAFETY PLANNING.
  2. $814,942 spent. YOUTH EDUCATION:RELATIONSHIP EDUCATION:A CHOICE FOR HOPE (REACH) PROGRAM THAT ENGAGES MIDDLE AND HIGH-SCHOOL AGED STUDENTS AND THE ADULTS IN THEIR LIVES (TEACHERS, CAREGIVERS, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS) TO PROMOTE HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS AND THE ERADICATION OF ABUSIVE ONES. THE EVIDENCE-INFORMED APPROACH INCLUDES TEEN DATING VIOLENCE PREVENTION EDUCATIONAL AND INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS AND DISCUSSIONS FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS, YOUTH PEER LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND CAPACITY BUILDING FOR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.
  3. $452,119 spent. COMMUNITY EDUCATION:STAFF MEMBERS CONDUCT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PRESENTATIONS AND TRAININGS, INCLUDING THE 40-HOUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TRAINING, THAT IS REQUIRED TO BECOME AN ILLINOIS CERTIFIED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROFESSIONAL, WITH AREA HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE OFFICIALS, EDUCATORS, CLERGY, BUSINESSPEOPLE, AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. THIS TRAINING INCLUDES THE HEALTHCARE EDUCATION PROGRAM DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM'S RESPONSE TO SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

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 April 1987.

    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.