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Zero Abuse Project

EIN 82-4614993 · Saint Paul, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM ABUSE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT, BY ENGAGING PEOPLE AND RESOURCES THROUGH A TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH OF EDUCATION, RESEARCH, ADVOCACY, AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY.

Income
$4.7 million
Spending
$4.5 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 65%
Employees
31
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$171,523, education and research dir

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

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 83% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

    8 of 8 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. $2.3 million spent. EDUCATION AND TRAINING - FOCUSED ON TRAINING LAW ENFORCEMENT, LAWYERS, PROSECUTORS, AND ALLIED PROFESSIONALS TO SUCCESSFULLY RESPOND TO AND PREVENT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE. PUBLIC EDUCATION TRAININGS ARE ALSO FACILITATED FOR CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS, ETC. STAFF ARE ALSO STAYING CURRENT WITH THE LATEST RESEARCH IN THE FIELD AND DISSEMINATE REPORTS, SUMMARIES, ETC. RELATED TO ZAP'S MISSION. ALSO INCLUDES THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD EACH YEAR DESIGNED TO BRING CROSS-DISCIPLINARY PROFESSIONALS TOGETHER TO LEARN AND SHARE THE LATEST IN COMBATTING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE.
  2. $395,347 spent. SURVIVOR SUPPORT - INCLUDES EXPENSES RELATED TO THE JACOB WETTERLING RESOURCE CENTER (JWRC) AND OTHER VICTIM-RELATED PROGRAMS. JWRC WORKS TO END ALL FORMS OF CHILD MALTREATMENT THROUGH EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND PREVENTION WHILE ADVOCATING FOR AND SERVING CHILDREN, ADULT SURVIVORS, AND COMMUNITIES IN MINNESOTA. ALSO INCLUDES ACTIVITIES THAT CREATE AND DISSEMINATE TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR SURVIVORS OF CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE. ZAP HOPES TO CREATE SPACES FOR SURVIVORS TO SHARE THEIR STORIES AND RECEIVE SUPPORT TO OVERCOME TRAUMA AND ITS LASTING EFFECTS. WE ALSO RECEIVED A THREE-YEAR GRANT FROM THE OFFICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME TO ASSIST CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTERS IN IMPLEMENTING SPIRITUAL CARE PROGRAMS FOR MALTREATED CHILDREN AND ADULT SURVIVORS OF ABUSE. THIS GRANT WILL ALSO FUND THE FIRST MAJOR STUDY ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CAC CHAPLAINCY PROGRAMS IN ADDRESSING THE SPIRITUAL IMPACT OF CHILD ABUSE.
  3. $1.4 million spent. SPECIAL PROJECTS - INCLUDES EXPENSES RELATED TO THE ICAC GRANTS TO STRENGTHEN TECHNOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIVE CAPACITY THROUGH THE TRAINING AND THE DEVELOPMENT AND/OR ENHANCEMENT OF WIDELY USED INVESTIGATIVE TOOLS, METHODS, AND TECHNOLOGIES. THE GOAL IS TO INCREASE THE CAPCAITY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, PROSECUTORS, AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS IN COMBATING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND ONLINE CHILD EXPLOITATION, INCLUDING CASES OF CHILD SEX TRAFFICING.
  4. $180,056 spent. CENTER FOR FAITH AND CHILD PROTECTION - TO ASSIST FAITH COMMUNITIES IN DEVELOPING YOUTH PROTECTION POLICIES AND TRAIN FAITH LEADERS TO DEVELOP TRAUMA-INFORMED RESPONSES TO SURVIVORS OF CHILD SEX ABUSE.

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 October 13, 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 November 2018.

    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 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.