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Awaken Inc

EIN 38-3843380 · Reno, NV

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Awaken's mission is to increase awareness and education surrounding the issue of commercial sexual exploitation and to provide housing and restoration for its victims. Awaken acts to transform our community with the ultimate goal of eradicating commercial sexual exploitation. We aim for victims of commercial sexual exploitation to be restored to their fullest potential. We aspire to be an inspirational model for other communities.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
32
Volunteers
163
Highest pay
$157,571, ceo/co-founder

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

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 70% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 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 (4)
  1. $1.8 million spent. Awaken's Restorative Care program represents the largest component of the organization's services, providing comprehensive, trauma-informed support to individuals impacted by commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking. Services are delivered in a location situated within a high-need area known for elevated levels of prostitution activity, allowing for increased accessibility to those most vulnerable. Awaken serves both youth and adults, ranging in age from 11 to over 60 years old. Core services include individualized case management, referrals to licensed therapeutic providers, mentorship, social development opportunities, and psychoeducational and life skills programming designed to support long-term stability and healing. (Continued on Schedule O)During the most recent fiscal year, Awaken provided services to 243 primary participants and 29 secondary participants.The Awaken Education Center (AEC) was established during the 2020 school year. The AEC is a specialized, holistic, education and restorative school experience for youth who have been trafficked encompassing grades 6-12. Between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025 two girls attended the Awaken Education Center (AEC), contributing to a total of 20 students served since inception. As noted above, Awaken launched a summer healing and resilience program which served 14 participants and 7 children over a 10-week period.
  2. $162,592 spent. Awaken's City Transformation initiatives are designed to create sustainable social change by increasing community awareness and mobilizing collective action against sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. Through strategic advocacy, outreach, and education efforts, Awaken equips individuals, professionals, and community partners with the knowledge and resources necessary to recognize, prevent, and respond to exploitation. Awaken remains committed to fostering partnerships and empowering communities, recognizing that addressing trafficking requires a united effort. (Continued on Schedule O)During the reporting period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, Awaken conducted 116 community engagements, reaching and educating over 4,482 individuals on issues related to sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.In addition, Awaken finalized and conducted screenings of its documentary, At What Cost, which highlights the realities of trafficking and exploitation while amplifying survivor-informed perspectives. The film serves as an additional educational and advocacy tool to deepen community understanding and inspire action.
  3. $60,521 spent. In 2019, Awaken launched the Awaken Restorative Home to provide a safe, rent-free residential program for adult female survivors of sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. Since its inception, the program has served fifteen women, offering trauma-informed support and stability in a healing-focused environment. In the current tax year, Awaken strategically repurposed the Restorative Home to meet an emerging need by prioritizing services for pregnant and parenting mothers affected by trafficking. This shift reflects Awaken's continued commitment to breaking the generational cycle of exploitation by providing family-centered, holistic care.(Continued on Schedule O)In January 2025, Awaken welcomed its first family into the Restorative Home under this expanded model, marking a significant milestone in providing supportive, stable housing for both mothers and their children
  4. $20,221 spent. Awaken offers preventative education efforts targeting the most vulnerable population - disadvantaged youth. Awaken presents at school assemblies, delivers classroom-based curriculum to students, and works with youth groups to talk to local students about the realities of human trafficking and how to prevent it from happening to them or their loved ones. Between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025, we presented in 3 different events and reached 446 students.In 2022, Awaken, in conjunction with Washoe County Human Services Agency launched Northern Nevada's first survivor developed curriculum from My Life My Choice. This evidence-based program equips vulnerable youth with essential life skills to break cycles of exploitation. This fiscal year, twelve at-risk youth benefited from this program with a 100% graduation rate.

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 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 June 2025.

    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 2011.

    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.