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Breakfree Education

EIN 46-0757820 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood88 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO RADICALLY IMPROVE EDUCATION IN THE JUVENILE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS BY INVESTING IN THE POTENTIAL AND DIGNITY OF ALL ITS STUDENTS.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
23.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
43
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$42,963, 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 23.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 68% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 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

    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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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. $354,079 spent. DIRECT EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT - BREAKFREE EDUCATION PROVIDES A RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO JUVENILE AGENCIES AND THEIR EDUCATION PARTNERS AROUND THE COUNTRY. THIS SUPPORT INCLUDES ONSITE TRAINING FOR SCHOOL LEADERS, TEACHERS, AND CUSTODIAL CARE STAFF. IT ALSO MAY INCLUDE SUPPORT AROUND POLICY AND ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICES THAT IMPACT SIGNIFICANTLY ON THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION PROVIDED IN SECURE SETTINGS. WE ALSO OFFER A RANGE OF LIGHT TOUCH SERVICES AND SUPPORT THROUGH OUR MONTHLY INITIATIVES AND ONGOING EDUCATIONAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES. THESE SERVICES ARE COMBINED TOGETHER FOR ACCOUNTING PURPOSES AS GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT.
  2. $305,669 spent. OTHER - BREAKFREE EDUCATION OFFERS A RANGE OF OTHER SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THEIR MISSION. THIS INCLUDES THEIR SUPPORT FOR NEIGHBORS FOR JUSTICE, A NONPROFIT FOR WHICH THEY ARE SERVING AS ITS FISCAL SPONSOR WHILE ITS 501C3 APPLICATION IS PENDING, THEIR BROADER WORK WITH THEIR CONSORTIUM MEMBER AGENCIES AND ONGOING SUPPORT FOR TRAVIS HILL NOLA DURING ITS TRANSITION.
  3. $253,336 spent. INCARCERATION REDUCTION AMENDMENT ACT (IRAA) - THROUGH THE IRAA FELLOWSHIP BREAKFREE EDUCATION PROVIDES INTENSIVE TECHNOLOGY AND WORK-READINESS TRAINING TO RETURN CITIZENS AND THEN MATCHES THE FELLOWS WITH EMPLOYERS IN THE NONPROFIT SECTOR.

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 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 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 April 2013.

    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.