Black Liberation Fund
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Black Liberation Fund provides comprehensive support services to individuals harmed by the criminal justice system and survivors of violence through technology-enabled resources, education, and community engagement. The organization operates a community bail fund, reentry support services, and trauma-informed wellness programs serving substance abuse survivors, sexual assault survivors, domestic violence survivors, gun violence survivors, and formerly incarcerated individuals. Beginning in fiscal year 2025-2026, the organization transitioned to a digital-first service delivery model providing free access to legal resources (parole, pardon, expungement), recovery and trauma support, and educational technology empowerment workshops focused on resume development, digital literacy, and artificial intelligence tools.
- Income
- $32,890
- Spending
- $136,074
- Reserves
- 0 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
- Highest pay
- $43,067, founder/program officer
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 34 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 314% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending May 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 (3)
- $53,918 spent. LEGAL SUPPORT AND REENTRY SERVICES During fiscal year 2024-2025, the organization provided direct legal support and reentry services to formerly incarcerated individuals and their families. Services included community bail fund assistance, case management, family support coordination, and facility advocacy. The program maintained staffing from June through September 2024 to serve clients with immediate needs while transitioning to a digital resource platform. Beginning in October 2024, the organization began development of a web-based legal resource portal to provide statewide access to parole, pardon, and expungement information, expanding geographic reach beyond the Charleston, SC area.
- $6,193 spent. TRAUMA-INFORMED RECOVERY AND WELLNESS SUPPORT The organization expanded its mission in December 2024 to serve multiple survivor populations including substance abuse survivors, sexual assault survivors, domestic violence survivors, and gun violence survivors. Services included peer support payments, therapeutic animal program support, and direct assistance to individuals impacted by trauma and systemic violence. The program invested in developing comprehensive trauma-informed content and resource directories that will be accessible through the organization's digital platform beginning in fiscal year 2025-2026, providing 24/7 access to recovery resources, mental health provider connections, and crisis intervention pathways.
- $4,500 spent. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY EMPOWERMENT The organization developed educational technology empowerment programming to address the widening economic gap caused by artificial intelligence disruption. Program development included technology infrastructure investment, website platform design, and curriculum planning for workshops covering resume development, digital literacy, typing skills, and artificial intelligence tools. The program aims to provide free workshops and self-service resources beginning in fiscal year 2025-2026, focusing on economic empowerment and technology access for formerly incarcerated individuals, trauma survivors, and underserved community members.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending May 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 May 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 March 2021.
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.