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Ahimsa Collective

EIN 61-1969838 · Oakland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE AHIMSA COLLECTIVE WORKS TO ADDRESS HARM IN WAYS THAT FOSTER WHOLENESS FOR EVERYONE. OUR NORTH STAR GOALS ARE TO REPLACE SYSTEMS OF PUNISHMENT WITH PARADIGMS GROUNDED IN HEALING, RELATIONSHIP, AND LOVE. TO GET THERE, WE ENGAGE WITH DEEP TRAUMA HEALING AND RESTORATIVE APPROACHES WHILE BEING GROUNDED IN ANTI-OPPRESSION. WE WORK IN DEEP COMMUNITY WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMMITTED AN ACT OF VIOLENCE, SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE, AND FAMILIES IMPACTED BY HARM. IN ALL OF OUR WORK, WE CENTER AGENCY, LIBERATION, DIGNITY, AND TRANSFORMATION.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
21.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 86%
Employees
14
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$174,745, co-executive director

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

    4 of 5 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. $712,817 spent. HEALING PATHWAYS IS A CORE PROGRAM OF THE AHIMSA COLLECTIVE DEDICATED TO ADDRESSING INTERPERSONAL HARM THROUGH RESTORATIVE AND TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE APPROACHES RATHER THAN PUNISHMENT. THE PROGRAM CREATES SPACES FOR ACCOUNTABILITY, HEALING, AND RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING FOR EVERYONE IMPACTED BY HARM.
  2. $673,105 spent. LIFE COMES FROM IT HAS AWARDED OVER $18 MILLION IN GRANTS TO MORE THAN 250 GRASSROOTS INITIATIVES FOCUSED ON RESTORATIVE AND TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE, INDIGENOUS PEACEMAKING, AND LAND-BASED HEALING. SINCE THE COVID-19 QUARANTINE, THE ORGANIZATION HAS HOSTED OVER TEN GATHERINGS NATIONWIDE, CONNECTING MORE THAN 500 MOVEMENT LEADERS AND FOSTERING PARTNERSHIPS. BY COLLABORATING WITH ESTABLISHED CONFERENCES SUCH AS COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY'S BEYOND THE BARS AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE. LIFE COMES FROM IT HAS ENHANCED DIVERSITY AND STRENGTHENED BLACK AND INDIGENOUS SOLIDARITY. ADDITIONALLY, THEY'VE PRODUCED OVER EIGHT WEBINARS TO ELEVATE MOVEMENT VOICES AND PROVIDED OVER 4,000 HOURS OF ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT, INCLUDING FUNDRAISING ASSISTANCE THAT HELPED GRANTEES SECURE OVER $500,000 IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING.
  3. $415,426 spent. REENTRY SUPPORT - OUR TWO REENTRY HOMES, WITH EIGHT BEDROOMS TOTAL, PROVIDE SAFE, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS FOR WOMEN, MEN, AND NONBINARY PEOPLE RETURNING FROM PRISON, ALLOWING RESIDENTS TO STAY AS LONG AS THEY NEED TO ESTABLISH THEMSELVES AT THEIR OWN PACE. WE PRIORITIZE RESPECT, EQUITY, AND SUPPORT FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL'S PERSONAL GOALS, WITH ALL BASIC NEEDS MET, SUCH AS CLOTHING, FOOD, TRANSPORTATION, AND HOUSING. RESIDENTS BUILD A MUTUALLY SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY, SHARING DECISIONS RELATED TO THEIR LIVING CONDITIONS AND GUIDED BY THE PRINCIPLE OF AHIMSA, OR DO NO HARM. CONFLICTS ARE ADDRESSED THROUGH OPEN COMMUNICATION, EMPHASIZING SPACE FOR TRUST AND HEALING. OUR HOUSING COMMUNITY ALSO HOSTS MONTHLY POTLUCKS, PROVIDES ACCESS TO PERSONAL COUNSELING, AND OFFERS CLASSES IN FINANCE, COOKING, AND OTHER SKILLS. ADDITIONALLY, OUR NEXT STEP HOUSE ALLOWS RESIDENTS TO PAY SUBSIDIZED RENT AND BUILD A CREDIT HISTORY AS THEY TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENT LIVING. BEYOND HOUSING, WE SUPPORT THOSE RETURNING FROM PRISON BY PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION, RESOURCES, AND CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY SUPPORT. NATIONALLY, WE COLLABORATE WITH OTHER LEADERS TO EXPAND PERSON-CENTERED, FORMERLY INCARCERATED-LED REENTRY INITIATIVES, WORKING AGAINST EXPLOITATIVE MODELS AND FOSTERING A JUST REENTRY NETWORK ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
  4. $430,966 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE GENERAL PROGRAMS AND SANTA CRUZ PROJECT.

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 November 6, 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 September 2020.

    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 November 4, 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.