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Breaking Free

EIN 41-1856806 · Saint Paul, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Empowering survivors of sex trafficking and prostitution to build new lives through safe housing, direct services, healing programs, survivor advocacy, worldwide policy change, and hope.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 85%
Employees
29
Volunteers
36
Highest pay
$144,544, executive director

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

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 41% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

    7 of 7 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. $1.3 million spent. Housing: As part of our housing improvements Breaking Free implemented a SMART goal format for housing plans. The SMART goals are determined by the client and could be completing a resume, addressing mental health, or working on housing related goals. The advocates offer follow-up and support as needed.Breaking Free successfully transitioned from a master-lease and scattered-site housing model to becoming a fully scattered site housing program. With our client's success and safety in mind we chose not to renew our three master-leased buildings and moved those clients to scattered site apartments to either graduate from our program with a Section 8 voucher or to continue with Breaking Free as a scattered site client.
  2. $367,653 spent. Advocacy: Breaking Free expanded access to survivor-centered services this year through the implementation of LIFT, a new virtual support group designed to reduce barriers and increase connection for survivors. LIFT provides participants with a safe, trauma informed space to build community, strengthen coping skills, and access peer support regardless of location, transportation challenges, or safety concerns. By offering this group in a virtual format, Breaking Free has been able to reach survivors who may be unable to participate in in person programming, increasing engagement while responding to evolving survivor needs.This year, Breaking Free also prioritized strengthening our advocacy workforce by investing in expanded training opportunities for our advocates. Staff participated in new, specialized trainings focused on trauma informed care, emerging best practices, and the complex, intersecting needs of survivors. In addition, we broadened our internal training curriculum to ensure advocates are equipped with consistent, high quality tools and knowledge across all programs. These enhancements have increased our organizational capacity, improved service quality, and ensured that survivors receive informed, responsive, and culturally competent support.
  3. $262,725 spent. Outreach: Breaking Free expanded its outreach efforts this year through continued mobile outreach using our outreach bus to engage individuals living in homeless encampments and other high risk environments. This approach has been instrumental in building trust with unsheltered and marginalized individuals while providing immediate access to stabilization support, essential resources, and connections to housing and ongoing services. Through coordinated anti trafficking street outreach across Ramsey County and participation in community tabling events, Breaking Free increased awareness of available services and strengthened connections with individuals most in need.To further enhance outreach impact, Breaking Free established new partnerships with local community businesses including Chuck & Don's, Whole Foods, Kowalski's, and others to provide food, hygiene items, and supplies directly to clients during outreach. These collaborations, alongside ongoing partnerships with community organizations and law enforcement, have strengthened our ability to respond to immediate needs while offering compassionate, survivor centered pathways toward safety, recovery, and long term stability.

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 December 1997.

    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.