Project Protect Our Children
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
We are dedicated to preventing child sex trafficking, exploitation and abuse through proactive community engagement, preventative educational programs, awareness and empowerment opportunities.
- Income
- $275,967
- Spending
- $232,264
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- 11.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 52%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 45
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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 11.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 30% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Weak: 36 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
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 (1)
- $207,759 spent. The Youth Action Board (YAB) is a student-led program that engages middleand high school students in peer-driven advocacy and awareness campaigns.By educating youth on trafficking and empowering them to lead preventionefforts, YAB fosters leadership, activism, and generational change in thefight against exploitation.Our training for school personnel and youth-serving professionals providesessential tools to recognize, prevent, and respond to human traffickingmaking schools and youth organizations stronger frontline defenses.PPOC also offers Internet Safety and Human Trafficking training forparents, guardians, and youth. Caregivers are educated on online dangerslike grooming and sextortion, while youth gain critical digital literacyskills and learn how to navigate online spaces safely. Both versions of thetraining promote healthy relationships and safe social media practices.The E3 Youth Development Program supports at-risk youth by providing lifeskills training, professional development, and connections to communityresources. By reducing vulnerabilities and promoting self-sufficiency, E3helps interrupt pathways to exploitation.Our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program engages businesses inanti-trafficking efforts by helping them implement ethical practices andawareness strategies within their operations and supply chains. Thesepartnerships extend the impact of prevention into the corporate sector.Finally, our Human Trafficking 101 for Every Employee training buildsawareness across industries, empowering employees to recognize signs oftrafficking and respond appropriately. This training extends preventionpractices beyond traditional settings and into everyday workplaces andcommunities.Together, these programs advance our mission to build informed, resilientcommunities united in the fight to protect vulnerable youth fromtrafficking and exploitation.
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 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 2025.
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 March 2020.
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.