Choices for Freedom Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Choices for Freedom is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families who have been impacted by mass incarceration. We develop and deliver effective programs, incorporating life skills and healing. We bring culturally relevant programs to men and women who are serving time, with reentry programs to assist them with reintegration back into the community, and deliver mentoring and prevention programs for youth.
- Income
- $300,791
- Spending
- $467,505
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 4.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 95%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 10
- Highest pay
- $126,000, executive director
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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 55% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 43% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 254 of 5 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (7)
- $44,188 spent. An educational program for trauma informed rehabilitation was delivered to over 125 women in California State prison, with a grant from the state of California.
- $209,626 spent. Choices provided 97 men in California with reentry support, case management, and workforce development training post-release from California state prisons.
- $59,507 spent. Choices delivered a cognitive behavioral program "You've Got Choices" with financial incentives to 29 young adults referred by the City of Stockton Office of Violence Prevention for gang involvement, with support from Making WorldBuilders and the National Prevention Science Coalition.
- $36,563 spent. Choices provided a trauma informed rehabiliation program to 50 men at High Desert State Prison in Susanville, CA called "Path 2 Restoration"
- $7,000 spent. Choices provided over 200 men in custody at San Quentin State Prison with support for inmate led programs and activities aligned with the California Model Prison initiative.
- $3,000 spent. Choices delivered a positive youth development program in Los Angeles County to 8 young people.
- $27,886 spent. Other Programs include Rides Home, Community Events, and Family Supports
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2016.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.