The Blue Bench
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
AT THE BLUE BENCH, OUR MISSION IS TO ELIMINATE SEXUAL ASSAULT AND DIMINISH THE IMPACT IT HAS ON INDIVIDUALS, THEIR LOVED ONES AND OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE ISSUE ADVOCACY, PREVENTION AND CARE.
- Income
- $3.0 million
- Spending
- $2.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 71%
- Reserves
- 4.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 66%
- Employees
- 55
- Volunteers
- 49
- Highest pay
- $114,317, executive di
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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.2 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 26% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 58% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1571% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 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
0 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, 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 (3)
- $1.4 million spent. THERAPY/ADVOCACY:THE ORGANIZATION'S SUPPORT SERVICES ARE OFFERED IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH AT LOW OR NO COST TO CLIENTS INCLUDING A 24/7 HOTLINE AND HOSPITAL ACCOMPANIMENT, CASE MANAGERS TO HELP CLIENTS NAVIGATE THE OFTEN OVERWHELMING CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, A POST-CONVICTION VICTIM ADVOCATE TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND INFORMATION TO SURVIVORS FOLLOWING OFFENDER SENTENCING, AND THERAPISTS WHO PROVIDE COUNSELING IN BOTH ONE-ON-ONE AND GROUP SETTINGS INCLUDING ART AND TRAUMA-INFORMED YOGA OPTIONS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO OFFERS GROUP SUPPORT FOR THE LOVED ONES OF SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS.
- $275,158 spent. SEXUAL VIOLENCE PREVENTION EDUCATION: ENDING SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY IS NOT JUST ABOUT PROVIDING SUPPORT IN THE AFTERMATH OF AN ASSAULT, IT'S ABOUT EMPOWERING COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SHIFT THE WAY THEY THINK AND TALK ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE BLUE BENCH PROVIDES SCIENTIFICALLY- SUPPORTED PREVENTION EDUCATION PROGRAMMING BEGINNING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, WITH A GOAL OF DEVELOPING SKILLS NECESSARY TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE CHALLENGE RAPE CULTURE AND BECOME ACTIVE BYSTANDERS. PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED AT SCHOOLS, PRISONS, DETENTION CENTERS, BARS, MUSIC VENUES, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND MORE. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES PREVENTION PROGRAMMING FOR PARENTS AND SAFETY EMPOWERMENT SKILLS TRAINING FOR FEMALE-IDENTIFIED PARTICIPANTS AGE 13+.
- $153,645 spent. PHONE CANVASSING/OUTREACH.
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
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 2024.
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 1983.
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.