Fresh Start Womens Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF FRESH START WOMEN'S FOUNDATION IS TO PROVIDE ACCESS AND RESOURCES THAT HELP WOMEN ACHIEVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND USE THEIR STRENGTH TO THRIVE. WE DO THIS WORK IN PURSUIT OF OUR VISION TO CREATE UNLIMITED OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND TO... [CONTINUED ON SCH O]THE MISSION OF FRESH START DISRUPT CYCLES OF INTERGENERATIONAL POVERTY. THE WOMEN WE SERVE ARE UNEMPLOYED OR UNDER-EMPLOYED WORKING IN LOW-WAGE JOBS WITHOUT FINANCIAL STABILITY, MOST ARE MOTHERS ESCAPING DOMESTIC ABUSE AND TRAUMA. MANY ARE SINGLE MOMS WHO STRUGGLE TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND TO COVER BASIC NEEDS LIKE FOOD AND HOUSING. FRESH START'S IMPACT PROGRAM HELPS WOMEN DEVELOP A PERSONALIZED PATH OUT OF POVERTY AND ACROSS THE BRIDGE TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY. THE SCIENCE-BASED AND EVIDENCE INFORMED MODEL PROVIDES HOLISTIC WRAP-AROUND SERVICES ACROSS FIVE KEY PILLARS OF A WOMAN'S LIFE AND EMPOWERS HER TO ACHIEVE GOALS AND BEHAVIORAL CHANGES NECESSARY TO REACH AND SUSTAIN ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND INDEPENDENCE.
- Income
- $5.9 million
- Spending
- $7.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 4.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 66
- Volunteers
- 340
- Highest pay
- $227,630, president/ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.5 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 23% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 34% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 30% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2534 of 34 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 June 30, 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 (5)
- $3.9 million spent. CAREER & EDUCATION SERVICES: FRESH START CAREER SERVICES SUPPORT WOMEN IN THEIR JOURNEYS TO NEW AND BETTER TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT. IN FY25, FRESH START PROVIDED 1,449 ONE-ON-ONE CAREER COACHING SESSIONS AND A WIDE RANGE OF CAREER READINESS WORKSHOPS SPANNING INTERVIEWING, JOB SEARCH STRATEGY, RESUME WRITING, SALARY NEGOTIATION, AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION SKILL. FRESH START STRENGTHENED ITS BEST-PRACTICE WORKFORCE MODEL THIS YEAR THROUGH A SUITE OF HIGH-IMPACT STRATEGIES THAT SUPPORTED WOMEN FROM TRAINING THROUGH LONG-TERM CAREER SUCCESS. THESE INCLUDED HOSTING FOUR HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL CAREER FAIRS THAT CONNECTED WOMEN DIRECTLY WITH HIRING EMPLOYERS, EXPANDING ACCESS TO WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAMS ALIGNED WITH IN-DEMAND INDUSTRIES, OFFERING PERSONALIZED RESUME ASSISTANCE AND INTERVIEW PREPARATION, PROVIDING LINKEDIN SUPPORT TO ENHANCE DIGITAL PROFESSIONAL BRANDING, AND DELIVERING HOLISTIC POST-PLACEMENT COACHING TO HELP WOMEN RETAIN EMPLOYMENT AND CONTINUE ADVANCING. TOGETHER, THESE EFFORTS CREATED DIRECT PATHWAYS TO OPPORTUNITY AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY. AS A RESULT, OVER 200 WOMEN SECURED EMPLOYMENT THIS FISCAL YEAR, TAKING SIGNIFICANT STRIDES TOWARD FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE. FRESH START OFFERS A BREADTH OF WRAP AROUND EDUCATION OFFERINGS SPANNING THE TOPICS OF FINANCIAL AND DIGITAL WORKPLACE LITERACY, PARENTING, HEALTHY LIVING, INTERPERSONAL SKILLS AND GROWTH, GOAL SETTING, RESILIENCY, AND A WIDE VARIETY OF OTHER PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION TOPICS. CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, AND WEBINARS ARE FACILITATED BY HIGHLY-TRAINED STAFF AND INSTRUCTORS, ALONG WITH COMMUNITY PROFESSIONALS AND EXPERTS. THERE WERE 11,897 WORKSHOP ATTENDEES THIS YEAR, WHO REPORTED A 94% OVERALL SATISFACTION RATE.FRESH START OFFERS UNIQUE SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR OUR CLIENTS WHO ARE EAGER TO PURSUE THE NEXT LEVEL OF THEIR EDUCATION AND CAREER GOALS. IN THE PAST YEAR, 350 WOMEN ENROLLED IN A CAREER TRAINING PROGRAM. FRESH START AWARDED A TOTAL OF $257,813 IN CAREER AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIPS, SUPPORTING WOMEN IN GAINING THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO EXCEL IN A NEW CAREER PATHWAY. FRESH START COLLABORATES WITH NUMEROUS EMPLOYERS IN THE VALLEY, INCLUDING TSMC, INTEL, CVS, JPMORGAN CHASE AND BANK OF AMERICA TO PROVIDE WOMEN ACCESS TO CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN TODAY'S TOP INDUSTRIES.
- $1.0 million spent. SOCIAL WORK SERVICES: SOCIAL WORKERS SUPPORTED WOMEN WITH AN ARRAY OF EXPERIENCES AND STRUGGLES, INCLUDING THEIR BARRIERS TOWARDS SELF-SUFFICIENCY WITH FAMILY STABILITY AND OVERALL WELLBEING. SOCIAL WORKERS SUPPORT WOMEN THROUGH WORKSHOPS, GROUPS AND ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT BUILDING EMPOWERMENT SKILLS OF ASSERTIVE COMMUNICATION, BOUNDARIES, CONFIDENCE, HEALTHY COMMUNITY, GOAL SETTING, SELF-CARE.FRESH START'S TEAM OF SKILLED SOCIAL WORKERS ALSO PROVIDE SUPPORT THROUGH THREE DISTINCT INITIATIVES: CHRONIC HEALTH, JUSTICE INVOLVED AND SURVIVOR SUPPORT TO PROMOTE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO SPECIFIC COMMUNITIES. THROUGH ONE-ON-ONE COACHING SESSIONS, WOMEN CAN GAIN CLARITY AND MAINTAIN THEIR GOALS. 2,072 ONE-ON-ONE SESSIONS RESULTED IN 85% GOAL ATTAINMENT WITH PERSONALIZED GOALS SET BY WOMEN IN THE PROGRAM.SOCIAL WORKERS PROMOTE ALL RESOURCES THAT COULD SUPPORT A WOMAN'S WELLBEING, RESULTING IN 307 RESOURCE COACHING SESSIONS CONDUCTED TO GET WOMEN CONNECTED WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES. SPECIFICALLY, THE TEAM SHARED 348 MENTAL HEALTH REFERRALS TO PROMOTE CONNECTION TO CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT.
- $684,457 spent. FAMILY STABILITY PROGRAMS: FAMILY LAW SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDES ESSENTIAL LEGAL GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT THAT EMPOWERS WOMEN TO NAVIGATE ARIZONA'S COMPLEX FAMILY COURT SYSTEM WITH CONFIDENCE AND DIGNITY. THE PROGRAM OFFERS COMPASSIONATE, INFORMED ASSISTANCE TO WOMEN INVOLVED IN DIVORCE, LEGAL SEPARATION, CHILD DECISION-MAKING (CUSTODY), PARENTING TIME, CHILD SUPPORT, AND OTHER FAMILY COURT MATTERS.DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD, FAMILY LAW SUPPORT STAFF CONDUCTED 2,756 ONE-ON-ONE SESSIONS, DELIVERING INDIVIDUALIZED LEGAL INFORMATION, DOCUMENT REVIEW, AND DOCUMENT PREPARATION SERVICES. STAFF ALSO EDUCATE PARTICIPANTS ON KEY LEGAL TERMINOLOGY AND FAMILY COURT PROCEDURES, ENABLING WOMEN TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR CASES AND BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR RIGHTS.THROUGH EDUCATION, GUIDANCE, AND ACCESSIBLE DOCUMENT PREPARATION ASSISTANCE, THE PROGRAM EQUIPS EACH PARTICIPANT WITH THE KNOWLEDGE, CONFIDENCE, AND TOOLS NECESSARY TO ADVOCATE EFFECTIVELY FOR HERSELF AND HER FAMILY. FAMILY LAW SUPPORT SERVICES PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN HELPING WOMEN OVERCOME LEGAL BARRIERS AND ACHIEVE LASTING STABILITY AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
- $360,749 spent. WELL-BEING SERVICES: FRESH START OFFERS A BREADTH OF OFFERINGS THAT IMPACT THE HEALTH & WELL-BEING OF CLIENTS. THE SERVICES INCLUDE MENTORING, PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT WORKSHOPS, SUPPORT GROUPS, HEALTH COACHING AND HEALTH WORKSHOPS. THESE CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, AND WEBINARS ARE FACILITATED BY HIGHLY TRAINED STAFF AND INSTRUCTORS, ALONG WITH COMMUNITY PROFESSIONALS AND EXPERTS. THERE WERE OVER 3,224 WOMEN WHO ACCESSED HEALTH & WELL-BEING SERVICES.
- $149,057 spent. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS: ECONOMIC STABILITY IS THE GATEWAY TO A BETTER LIFE, SELF-SUFFICIENCY, AND GREATER FREEDOMS. WITH MONEY MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND FUTURE PLANNING, WOMEN CAN BE IN CONTROL OF THEIR FINANCES RATHER THAN HAVING THEIR FINANCES CONTROL THEM. FRESH START OFFERS FINANCIAL LITERACY WORKSHOPS AND ONE-ON-ONE FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT COACHING. THESE WORKSHOPS AND SESSIONS INCLUDE TOPICS FOR SUSTAINED FINANCIAL SUCCESS SUCH AS BUDGETING, CREDIT AND DEBT MANAGEMENT, SAVINGS, AND HEALTHY MONEY HABITS, RENT & LEASE ASSESSMENT, CREDIT SCORES, AND HOME OWNERSHIP. FRESH START EXPANDED FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT OFFERINGS THROUGH "BOOST YOUR CREDIT SCORE" WORKSHOPS, WHICH EMPOWER WOMEN TO UNDERSTAND THEIR CREDIT HISTORY AND OFFER TANGIBLE STRATEGIES TO INCREASE THEIR SCORES. WOMEN WHO COMPLETED BOOST EXPERIENCED AN AVERAGE CREDIT SCORE INCREASE OF 54 POINTS, FAR EXCEEDING NATIONAL BENCHMARKS.FRESH START ALSO LAUNCHED "BUDGET YOUR PAYCHECK," WHICH SUPPORTS WOMEN POST-EMPLOYMENT AS THEY TRANSITION INTO NEW INCOME LEVELS. THESE SESSIONS HELP WOMEN CREATE SUSTAINABLE BUDGETS, PROACTIVELY MANAGE EXPENSES, AND LEARN THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING RETIREMENT SAVINGS EARLY IN THEIR CAREERS TO SUPPORT LONG-TERM SELF-SUFFICIENCY.OF WOMEN SERVED IN FY25, 84% HAD LOW TO MODERATE INCOME AND 67% REPORTED LESS THAN $25K ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME REINFORCING THE CRITICAL NEED FOR OUR ONGOING FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 September 1994.
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.