Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Project Be Free a Nonprofit Corporation

EIN 85-2820252 · Renton, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

The mission of Project Be Free (PBF) is to provide crisis response to individuals affected by domestic violence (DV) through holistic methods to ensure clients and their families adapt healthier norms. First and foremost, PBF addresses the systemic inequities that exist in accessing mental health supports and resources for people from low-income backgrounds, immigrants, and people of color who live in King County that have been affected directly and indirectly by DV. PBF increases equitable access to services by prioritizing people of color, especially those from low-income backgrounds. Our core values include addressing every member within a family unit affected, whether currently or formerly, by DV and ensuring that our support is culturally relevant and adaptable. We ensure we do this by hiring staff that are as diverse as the community we serve.

Income
$831,149
Spending
$838,507
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
-0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 65%
Employees
7
Volunteers
21
Highest pay
$76,487, co-founder

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

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 376% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 124% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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. $452,633 spent. Crisis Response: We are currently partnered with Renton, Kent, Auburn and Newcastle PD. Through a co-response model our mental health providers show up on scene to help families navigate a DV crisis, as well as provide critical resources. When there is a DV related call, responding officers will call our direct line to access one of our MHPs and request for accompaniment to a household. In 2024 we assisted over 1800 DV calls, with connecting individuals to programs/services listed below.
  2. $218,987 spent. Youth Mentorship Outreach: This mentorship program is a collaboration between Northwest Family Life and Project Be Free. NWFL accounts for administrative duties and assistance with grant writing. PBF's staff leads the program, creating curriculum, complete screenings, and facilitates the day-to-day operations of the program.
  3. $16,250 spent. Client Barrier Fund: Clients will be assisted with safety planning, resource connections, short-term hotel stays, rides for safety, free counseling service and support group services.
  4. $11,442 spent. Training Center, Community Resource, Advocacy, & Other programs: Clients are assisted with prep for court, legal protections orders and translation

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 October 2022.

    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.