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Family Violence Appellate Project

EIN 45-4726212 · Oakland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR PRIMARY MISSION IS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THEIR CHILDREN BY HELPING SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OBTAIN EFFECTIVE APPELLATE REPRESENTATION.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 75%
Employees
20
Volunteers
276
Highest pay
$224,158, ceo/exec dir

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

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 22% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 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 (4)
  1. $1.8 million spent. FVAP identified cases that are likely to result in the appellate courts rendering decisions that advance the interests of domestic violence survivors throughout California and Washington states. During this year, FVAP continued to work with pro bono attorneys from the private sector to provide the highest quality legal representation in briefing and arguing those cases to the appellate courts. In particular, we focused on cases in which survivors and their children are in danger of ongoing abuse. The organization further coordinates training programs and technical assistance for attorneys on how to lay a record for appeal and other topics. FVAP also engages in some legislative advocacy to influence laws affecting domestic violence survivors and their children.
  2. Appellate Courts Program: FVAP provided appellate representation and other legal assistance to survivors of domestic violence and their families; submitted amicus curiae briefs in cases with important domestic violence issues at stake; petitioned courts of appeal with case publication requests to advance case law which clarifies and strengthens legal protections for survivors and their children.
  3. Training Program: FVAP trained, informed, and educated community stakeholders about issues pertinent to domestic violence; how to lay a record for appeal; and provided updates in domestic violence law.
  4. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4D - OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES DESCRIPTION Technical Assistance Program: FVAP provided free technical assistance to domestic violence trial attorneys and advocates to help them prepare cases with a possible appeal in mind. Self-represented Litigant Program: FVAP supported self-represented litigants by accepting self-referrals for appellate representation and providing self-help information such as templates, toolkits, and other written materials to navigate appeals. Next Generation Program: FVAP worked with law students each semester and summer to cultivate the next generation of domestic violence advocates. FVAP continued, this year, to offer services in Washington state that mirror the California program in providing legal services to domestic violence survivors free of charge.

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 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 October 13, 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 December 2024.

    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 June 2012.

    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 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.