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Protect Our Defenders Foundation

EIN 45-4044997 · Sarasota, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O. DRIVE SYSTEMIC INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE IN THE US MILITARY BY ELIMINATING SEXUAL ASSAULT, HARASSMENT AND MISOGYNY, DISCRIMINATION, AND RETALIATORY BEHAVIOR TOWARD VICTIMS (SERVICE MEMBERS, FAMILY MEMBERS, VETERANS AND CIVILIANS) THROUGH PUBLIC AWARENESS, PRO-BONO LEGAL SERVICES, RESEARCH, POLICY REFORM AND MENTORING. PROMOTE REFORM OF THE MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS AND SUPPORT THE LIVES OF SURVIVORS.

Income
$131,580
Spending
$347,078
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
24.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
4
Volunteers
0

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

Financial health

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 24.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 164% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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.

  • 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

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 (2)
  1. $181,819 spent. LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM (SEE SCHEDULE O)THE FOUNDATIONS PRO-BONO NETWORK OF ATTORNEYS PROVIDES FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT. LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM:THE FOUNDATIONS PRO-BONO NETWORK OF ATTORNEYS PROVIDES FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT. IT ORGANIZES AND TRAINS ATTORNEY'S NATIONWIDE WHO VOLUNTEER TO REPRESENT VICTIMS AND ADVOCATE FOR THEIR RIGHTS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER MILITARY JUSTICE PROCEEDINGS. THE PROGRAM STAFF PROVIDE CASEWORK ASSISTANCE INCLUDING: DRAFTING FOIA REQUESTS TO GAIN ACCESS TO VICTIMS' MILITARY RECORDS, FILING CONGRESSIONAL OR IG COMPLAINTS REGARDING MISHANDLING OF CASES, ETC. THE FOUNDATION FILES AMICUS BRIEFS BEFORE THE MILITARY'S COURT OF APPEALS AND FEDERAL COURTS TO PROTECT AND ENFORCE THE RIGHTS OF SURVIVORS. MILITARY'S SPECIAL VICTIM'S COUNSEL, CONGRESS AND THE MEDIA VIEW THE FOUNDATION AS EXPERT IN THIS FIELD AND A RESOURCE. THIS PROGRAM DEEPENS OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE BROKEN MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE CULTURE, WHICH HAS LED TO MEANINGFUL POLICY REFORM. ACCOMPLISHMENTS (2024) PODF'S PRO BONO NETWORK OF ATTORNEYS PROVIDED OVER 1,540 HOURS OF SERVICE VALUED AT $1,775,100.
  2. $89,410 spent. ADVOCACY, POLICY AND RESEARCH PROGRAMS (SEE SCHEDULE O)THE FOUNDATION ENGAGES IN PROJECTS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC, POLICY MAKERS, MILITARY, OPINION LEADERS, AND SURVIVORS ABOUT THE CULTURE OF MISOGYNY, EPIDEMIC OF MILITARY SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND VICTIM RETALIATION FOR REPORTING SEXUAL ASSAULT. ADVOCACY, POLICY AND RESEARCH PROGRAMS:THE FOUNDATION ENGAGES IN PROJECTS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC, POLICY MAKERS, MILITARY, OPINION LEADERS, AND SURVIVORS ABOUT THE CULTURE OF MISOGYNY, EPIDEMIC OF MILITARY SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND VICTIM RETALIATION FOR REPORTING SEXUAL ASSAULT. THE FOUNDATION ALSO EDUCATES ON HOW THE CULTURE AND CRISIS ERODE MILITARY VALUES AND NATIONAL SECURITY. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES RESEARCH FINDINGS, EXPERTISE, AND ADVICE BASED ON DATA-DRIVEN ANALYSIS RELATED TO PROBLEMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE, VICTIM RETALIATION, DISCRIMINATION OF WOMEN, MINORITIES, AND LGBTQ. IT PARTNERS WITH NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ORGANIZATIONS IN FURTHERANCE THEREOF. THROUGH POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADVOCACY, THE FOUNDATION ADDRESSES ROADBLOCKS TO JUSTICE AND VA CARE AND BENEFITS FOR SURVIVORS. ACCOMPLISHMENTS (2024) THE FOUNDATION SUCCESSFULLY ENGAGED THE MEDIA TO COVER THESE ISSUES AND NUMEROUS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS, ESPECIALLY THROUGH THE LENS OF THE INDIVIDUAL SERVICE MEMBERS, THEIR FAMILIES, VETERANS, AND CIVILIAN SURVIVORS. IT LEADS THE NATIONAL DEBATE REGARDING THIS CRISIS AND ITS WIDE- RANGING ADVERSE EFFECTS IN THE MILITARY, CIVILIAN COMMUNITIES, AND NATIONAL SECURITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 March 2012.

    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.