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Ion Center for Violence Prevention Inc

EIN 61-0908752 · Covington, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

At the core, the Ion Center is a violence prevention organization. For 50 years it has helped individuals and families move toward safety, support and healing. That work is more than shelter alone. It is about creating the conditions that allow someone to exhale, regroup and begin again safely and a community that is equipped to respond and increase safety. Our mission is to take the best care of people who have been impacted by power-based personal violence and to measurably reduce the number of people who have been hurt by it throughout the tri-state region including 13 counties in both the NKY and Buffalo Trace area development districts in Kentucky. We also provide services to residents of Ohio and Indiana.

Income
$6.2 million
Spending
$5.6 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
7.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 78%
Employees
113
Volunteers
38
Highest pay
$103,644, chief executive officer

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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 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. $2.3 million spent. ION CENTER RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM OPERATES TWO STATE-DESIGNATED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS THAT PROVIDE IMMEDIATE, CONFIDENTIAL HOUSING PAIRED WITH 24/7 CRISIS INTERVENTION, LEGAL ADVOCACY, CHILDREN'S SERVICES, THERAPY, AND CASE MANAGEMENT. ION CENTER IS THE ONLY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER PROGRAM SERVING BOTH NORTHERN KENTUCKY AND THE BUFFALO TRACE REGIONS AND IS DESIGNED TO MEET THE SAFETY AND TRAUMA NEEDS OF SURVIVORS, FAMILIES, AND PETS FLEEING VIOLENCE. IN 2025, ION PROVIDED 23,492 SAFE SHELTER BEDNIGHTS AND 70,476 MEALS THROUGH ITS TWO RESIDENTIAL SHELTER PROGRAMS. ION CENTER ALSO PROVIDED 5,089 SAFE PET BED NIGHTS THROUGH ITS ONSITE KENNEL AND FOSTER PROGRAM. ALL SERVICES ARE FREE OF CHARGE.
  2. $1.5 million spent. ION CENTER'S NONRESIDENTIAL PROGRAM, OPERATED AS A DUAL STATE-DESIGNATED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND RAPE CRISIS PROGRAM, IS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED POWER-BASED PERSONAL VIOLENCE, INCLUDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, STALKING, AND CHILD ABUSE. SERVICES INCLUDE A 24-HOUR TEXT/HOTLINE, HOSPITAL RESPONSE, WALK-IN SERVICES, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, A PET PROTECTION PROGRAM, COURT ADVOCACY, AND SAFETY PLANNING. THE PROGRAM WORKS TO HELP SURVIVORS ADDRESS BOTH THE SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF TRAUMA THROUGH THERAPY, SUPPORT GROUPS, HOUSING ASSISTANCE, CASE MANAGEMENT, AND FINANCIAL LITERACY SUPPORT. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE HOLISTIC, TRAUMA-INFORMED SUPPORT THAT INCREASES SKILLS, RESOURCES, STABILITY, AND SAFETY SO SURVIVORS CAN ACHIEVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND LONG-TERM WELL-BEING. ALL SERVICES ARE FREE OF CHARGE.
  3. $826,665 spent. ION CENTER'S PUBLIC EDUCATION AND PREVENTION PROGRAM FOCUSES ON KEEPING VIOLENCE FROM HAPPENING IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS PROGRAM EDUCATES THE COMMUNITY AND CONNECTS THEM TO THE ISSUES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, CHILD ABUSE, HARASSMENT, STALKING, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND OTHER FORMS OF POWER-BASED PERSONAL VIOLENCE. THIS COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM BUILDS SKILLS AND TOOLS TO HELP INDIVIDUALS INTERVENE BEFORE OR DURING AN INCIDENT OF VIOLENCE. ION CENTER OFFERS THE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED GREEN DOT PREVENTION STRATEGY AND THE IT'S MY SPACE PROGRAM TO HIGH SCHOOLS, MIDDLE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, BUSINESSES, AGENCIES, AND COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE REGION. IN ADDITION, ION PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF PROFESSIONAL TRAININGS TAILORED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. ION CENTER HAS THE LARGEST PRIMARY PREVENTION TEAM IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY AND HELPED ESTABLISH THE FIRST GREEN DOT CITY IN THE NATION. THE ION CENTER FOR VIOLENCE PREVENTION SEEKS TO ENGAGE EVERY MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY IN PREVENTION, KNOWING NO ONE HAS TO DO EVERYTHING, BUT EVERYONE CAN DO SOMETHING TO HELP END VIOLENCE.

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 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 June 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 September 1976.

    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.