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Prison of Peace

EIN 47-2834535 · Calabasas, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To reduce violence and promote peaceful conflict resolution among prison inmates.

Income
$675,830
Spending
$290,990
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
50.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 82%
Employees
14
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$120,867, officer

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 50.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 57% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
  1. $225,313 spent. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the organization engaged in the following Significant Program Services activities:SKILLS PROGRAMS:All Prison of Peace skills programs are intense and highly interactive, engaging participants in discussions of theory and concept, teaching them new skills, and guiding them in the practice of engaging others in the application of the skills and processes taught.ORIENTATION CORRESPONDENCE COURSEThis course introduces prospective participants to selected concepts and skills of Prison of Peace. It comprises 8 modules, designed to be done one at a time, preferably on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. This gives participants time to think about the things theyve read and internalize them before moving on. Each module includes a Lesson (2 pages), at least one Reading (2 pages), and a worksheet of introspective questions (2 pages). Each Lesson provides background and information about the selected concept. Each Reading, written by one of our formerly incarcerated staff trainers, shares a personal perspective through their experiences related to using the concept that is the focus of the Lesson.Completing this course as a prerequisite to skills workshops greatly reduces the normal attrition experienced at the start of any new in-person program, saving the usually limited space for committed students.CIRCLE KEEPER WORKSHOPThis is the initial workshop in the Prison of Peace curriculum. It provides participants with an introduction to the theory/concepts of Restorative Justice, intensive skill building in the use of Active Listening, and the practice of Peace Circles as a tool for community building and a method for intervention in times of conflict. It provides the foundation for all other Prison of Peace Skills Workshops.PEACEMAKER I WORKSHOP Building on the skills learned in the Circle Keeper Workshop, this workshop provides participants with information and skills in planning, leading, and following up on Agreement Discussions with others so that they create durable Agreements. Participants are then provided skills to guide others into solving their own problems without providing opinions or advice.PEACEMAKER II WORKSHOP Building on the skills learned in the Peacemaker I Workshop, participants become more comfortable with the essential skills of problem-solving and work on understanding Emotions and their triggers to learn how to engage in the process of reprogramming trigger responses, allowing for responsive choices rather than reactive behaviors. MEDIATION SKILLS WORKSHOPThe Mediation Skills Workshop builds on the skills taught in our Circle Keeper and Peacemaker workshops. This skills workshop takes participants through a well-defined six-stage process in understanding and conducting mediation from beginning to end, using practical information and relevant, interactive scenarios that introduce participants to various potential outcomes at every step in the process. In addition, this workshop covers the various skills needed by mediators, including refreshers on the effective communication techniques learned in our prerequisite workshops, as well as discussions regarding the ethical conduct of mediators and explanations of interest-based conflict resolution designed to address the deep needs and injustices underlying conflict.

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 2025.

    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 April 2015.

    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.