Passes our checks

Truth Be Told

EIN 42-1558329 · Austin, TX

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

What it says it does

TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF INCARCERATION AMONG WOMEN BY OFFERING SAFE COMMUNITY AND HEALING PROGRAMS TO WOMEN DURING AND AFTER INCARCERATION

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 18.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 52% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15
Income fell 67% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

Independent board
25 of 25
5 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15
Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8
Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7
Reports no 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.
No reported misuse
10 of 10
Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$64,766 spent. SINCE 2000, TRUTH BE TOLD HAS BEEN ADDRESSING A DOCUMENTED SERVICE GAP IN THE CARCERAL SYSTEM FOR PROGRAMS DESIGNED BY WOMEN FOR WOMEN. OUR GENDER-RESPONSIVE PROGRAMS ADDRESS THE UNIQUE RISK FACTORS THAT LEAD WOMEN INTO THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM - NAMELY, HIGH RATES OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND HISTORIES OF CHILDHOOD PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ABUSE. THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT WEAVE TOGETHER ELEMENTS OF RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, HEALING THROUGH STORYTELLING, LIFE SKILLS AND SELF-CARE TOOLS, TRUTH BE TOLD EMPOWERS WOMEN TO BREAK FREE FROM THE IMPRISONING NARRATIVE OF PAST TRAUMA AND ABUSE. POST- RELEASE, WE OFFER OUR PROGRAM GRADUATES SAFE COMMUNITY, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, AND PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES. A REVIEW OF 15 YEARS OF TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE DATA REVEALED THAT 86.2 PERCENT OF TRUTH BE TOLD GRADUATES REMAIN FREE THREE YEARS AFTER THEIR RELEASE FROM PRISON. OUR GRADUATES TRACK A LOWER RECIDIVISM RATE THAN THE STATES AVERAGE FOR WOMEN.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 December 2024.
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 November 2003.
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.