Sojourner Project Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Sojourner provides emergency shelter for women and children; legal advocacy and support to empower those victimized by domestic violence; and information and education to raise community awareness and promote violence prevention.
- Income
- $1.8 million
- Spending
- $1.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- 15.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 56%
- Employees
- 30
- Volunteers
- 301
- Highest pay
- $113,555, 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 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 22% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 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 (4)
- $836,286 spent. The Shelter offers emergency housing and supportive services for up to 20 women and children experiencing unsafe or violent living situations. A 24-hour Crisis Line, staffed by trained advocates and volunteers, remains available around the clock to provide immediate support, safety planning, referrals, and resources. In 2025, the Crisis Line responded to more than 2,500 calls from individuals seeking assistance and guidance. During the year, the emergency shelter provided safe housing for 98 women and 147 children. Shelter Advocates use a trauma-informed approach that honors each clients unique experiences and individual path toward safety and healing. Residents are provided with basic necessities as well as access to supportive programming such as life skills education, therapeutic and peer support groups, housing referrals, employment resources, and connections to medical care. Continued on Schedule O.
- $401,760 spent. The Community Legal Advocacy Department, which includes Intervention and Legal Advocacy services, provides critical support and advocacy to individuals and families throughout Southwest Hennepin County. Sojourner partners with nine police departments and serves residents across 17 cities. In 2025, the department provided 749 therapeutic sessions and facilitated 48 virtual support group sessions. Services reached 757 unduplicated adults and positively impacted the safety and wellbeing of 298 children. Throughout the year, advocates delivered more than 6,000 hours of direct client advocacy and support. Advocates assist clients with safety planning, navigating the legal system, understanding victim rights, and obtaining protection orders. Continued on Schedule O.
- $22,426 spent. The Outreach, Education, and Training Department works to increase community awareness and prevention education surrounding domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, and elder abuse. Staff provide customized trainings and presentations tailored to schools, organizations, professionals, and community groups to meet the unique needs of each audience. The department also continued its Youth Advisory Board initiative, ensuring youth perspectives remain integrated into SafeU programming and broader outreach efforts. By elevating youth voices, the program helps shape relevant and meaningful prevention education for young people in the community. In 2025, Community Educators facilitated 116 youth-focused presentations, 46 community awareness presentations, and participated in 51 networking opportunities along with 16 tabling events, collectively reaching more than 10,000 individuals. Continued on Schedule O.
- Continued from Part III 4a Program Services. Throughout the year, more than 140 sessions of support groups, yoga, childcare activities, and therapy dog visits were offered to promote wellness and stability. In partnership with a local health clinic, the shelter also provides on-site reproductive health services and access to an RN for minor medical concerns. After exiting shelter services, 17 women and 36 children continued receiving transitional support and advocacy to help maintain long-term safety and stability. Continued from Part III 4b Program Services. The department also offers court accompaniment and advocacy for individuals impacted by domestic violence, harassment, stalking, elder abuse, and sexual assault in criminal, civil, and family court matters. Trauma-informed therapeutic services and support groups are also available to clients seeking additional emotional support. Continued from Part III 4c Program Services. Additionally, staff conducted 23 professional trainings attended by 322 participants. Outreach efforts were further expanded through digital communication platforms including social media, a monthly e-newsletter, and blog content. Community Involvement, a component of the Outreach, Education, and Training Department, connects individuals and groups with meaningful opportunities to support Sojourners mission and services. Volunteers play an important role in strengthening programs by assisting with child care, staffing the Crisis Line, supporting weekend Intervention services, and helping maintain welcoming and organized spaces for clients and families. In 2025, volunteers contributed more than 4,500 hours of service. Their dedication and involvement significantly enhanced the organizations ability to provide compassionate support and responsive services to those in need.
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 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 December 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 March 1980.
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.