Families Against Mandatory Minimums Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OUR MISSION IS TO CREATE A MORE FAIR AND EFFECTIVE JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT RESPECTS OUR AMERICAN VALUES OF INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND DIGNITY WHILE KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.
- Income
- $2.0 million
- Spending
- $4.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 7.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 95%
- Employees
- 24
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $243,252, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 114% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 70% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (2)
- $2.3 million spent. STATE PROGRAMS: FAMM'S STATE WORK HAS TWO COMPONENTS: (1) PROJECT STATES, WHICH ARE THE STATES IN WHICH WE HAVE AGGRESSIVE, FULL-SCALE CAMPAIGNS FOR REFORM LED BY IN-STATE PROJECT DIRECTORS, AND (2) OPPORTUNITY STATES, WHICH ARE STATES IN WHICH WE SEE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR REFORM, WE SEEK TO BRING A UNIQUE OR ADDITIONAL VOICE TO THE DISCUSSION, OR ARE INVITED TO TESTIFY OR WEIGH IN ON A PROPOSED REFORM. FAMILY OUTREACH AND STORYTELLING: FAMM'S GREATEST ASSET HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE STORIES OF OUR MEMBERS. FAMM MAINTAINS A LARGE NETWORK OF FAMILIES AND FORMERLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO AID US IN OUR FIGHT FOR REFORM. WE PROVIDE INTENSIVE TRAINING IN STORYTELLING AND ADVOCACY, AND IN TURN HIGHLIGHT MEMBER STORIES AND CONNECT MEMBERS TO DIRECT ADVOCACY. SUCH OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE TESTIFYING BEFORE LEGISLATORS, MEETING WITH LAWMAKERS AND OTHER OFFICIALS, AND SPEAKING WITH THE MEDIA.
- $1.0 million spent. FEDERAL PROGRAMS: FAMM IS FOCUSED ON ELIMINATING FEDERAL MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCING LAWS AND IMPROVING ADVISORY GUIDELINES SO THAT JUDGES CAN MAKE INDIVIDUALIZED ASSESSMENTS OF OFFENDERS. WE ALSO WORK IN PRISON POLICY REFORM, SUPPORTING POLICIES THAT PROVIDE INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS ACCESS TO MEANINGFUL WORK AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, AS WELL AS SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT. WE BELIEVE THAT ALL CORRECTIONS FACILITIES SHOULD BE SAFE AND THAT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INCARCERATED SHOULD REMAIN CLOSE TO THEIR HOMES IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN IMPORTANT FAMILY BONDS. IN OUR WORK TO EDUCATE POLICYMAKERS ON THESE ISSUES, FAMM HOSTS CAPITOL HILL LOBBY DAYS, PANELS, AND BRIEFINGS; TESTIFIES BEFORE LEGISLATORS; AND ADVOCATES PRESIDENTIAL PARDONS AND COMMUTATIONS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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 October 13, 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 2025.
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 1991.
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 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.