Sidewalk Soldiers
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Sidewalk Soldiers exists to provide hope, help, and healing to those who have been sex trafficked and those at risk of trafficking. At-risk populations include individuals with vulnerabilities such as substance use disorder, poverty, and those who have aged out of the foster care system. We strive to take these individuals to safety, self-sustainability, and success, one person at a time. Sidewalk Soldiers Stands With Survivors!
- Income
- $252,172
- Spending
- $289,786
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- 1.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 49%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 31
- Highest pay
- $17,584, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 16% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 33% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 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
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.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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 (4)
- $121,285 spent. Jen's Haven Drop-In Center: Jen's Haven Drop-In Center provides a welcoming and safe space where community members can access support, essential resources, harm reduction supplies, rest, and encouragement. Our drop-in center offers case management and peer support services, with peer support delivered through both one-on-one sessions and peer-led groups and workshops. In Fiscal Year 2024, Jen's Haven served the community in multiple ways. We provided 1,203 warm meals, distributed clothing to 940 individuals, and hosted 2,013 visits to the center, offering peer support to 343 unique individuals. These services create consistent opportunities for connection, guidance, and tangible support for those in need.
- $43,964 spent. Ongoing Support: As an Ohio-certified PRO and PRS, Sidewalk Soldiers provides comprehensive ongoing support through individual peer support, peer-led groups, skills-building sessions, and mentorship. Peer support is offered in both one-on-one and in group settings, allowing participants to develop coping skills, receive guidance, and engage in mutual encouragement. Peer-led activities further empower participants to take leadership roles and support one another in their personal growth and recovery. Our group offerings are designed to meet a wide range of needs and interests and include Mindfulness Courses, Hot Topics Wellness Group, Self-Care Group, Survivor Support Group, Parenting Support Group, Bible Study, and Survivor Drum Circle. These groups provide safe spaces for skill development, emotional healing, community connection, and spiritual or creative exploration. Mentorship opportunities pair participants with experienced peers who provide guidance, encouragement, and role modeling. In Fiscal Year 2024, Sidewalk Soldiers served 216 individuals through group programs and provided ongoing individualized peer support to 137 individuals, demonstrating consistent engagement and meaningful impact on participants' well-being.
- $24,325 spent. Education and Prevention: Sidewalk Soldiers provides human trafficking education and prevention programs that focus on the intersection of sex trafficking with common vulnerabilities, including substance use, mental health challenges, houselessness, running away, and LGBTQIA+ identities. Our trainings are unique in that, as a survivor-led organization, we are able to share lived experiences, survivor stories, and real-world case studies, offering participants a deeper understanding of the realities of trafficking. Since beginning our education and prevention efforts in 2017, we have reached and educated more than 23,000 people in the Southwest Ohio area, helping to raise awareness, reduce risk, and empower communities to prevent exploitation.
- $23,462 spent. Outreach: Our street and hotel outreach program aims to identify trafficking victims, individuals participating in sex work, and other at-risk populations, including people experiencing homelessness, substance use disorder (SUD), or severe mental health challenges. Our outreach team engages approximately 1,300-1,700 individuals annually and was able to assist with 34 safe exit paths in 2024 through the outreach program. We also provided harm reduction supplies and met the tangible needs of the individuals we encountered.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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 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 November 6, 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 October 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 June 2018.
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 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.