Drug Awareness Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND RESOURCES FOCUSED ON THE PREVENTION OF DRUG EXPERIMENTATION, DRUG ABUSE, AND DRUG RELATED DEATHS. THE ORGANIZATION HAS A PARTICULAR FOCUS ON PROVIDING EDUCATION AND RESOURCES ADDRESSING THE SERIOUS AND DEADLY HEATH RISKS POSED BY FENTANYL AND DRUGS LACED WITH FENTANYL.
- Income
- $92,137
- Spending
- $31,280
- Reserves
- 53.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 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 (1)
- $31,028 spent. JULI SHAMASH, PRESIDENT OF THE DRUG AWARENESS FOUNDATION, SPONSORED AND ADVOCATED FOR CA SB864 TYLER'S LAW, WHICH REQUIRES MANDATORY FENTANYL TESTING WHENEVER CALIFORNIA HOSPITALS ORDER A STANDARD FIVE-PANEL DRUG TEST. IT WAS SIGNED BY CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM ON AUGUST 22, 2022 AND IT WENT INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 2023. WE ENCOURAGE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO HAVE NALOXONE IN SCHOOLS AND HAVE THEIR SCHOOL POLICE CARRY IT.WE CONTACT UNIVERSITIES AND URGE THEM TO HAVE NALOXONE IN ALL OF THEIR DORMS AND TO INCLUDE INFORMATION IN THEIR FRESHMAN ORIENTATION ABOUT FENTANYL-POISONED DRUGS.WE SPEAK TO COLLEGE FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES TO TEACH ABOUT HARM REDUCTION AND TO GIVE STUDENTS THE TOOLS TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS. WE PROVIDE ACCESS TO NALOXONE AND FENTANYL TESTING STRIPS AND EXPLAIN HOW TO USE THEM.WE PUT UP BILLBOARDS, BUS ADS, AND STREET LEVEL POSTERS TO WARN THE PUBLIC ABOUT FENTANYL-POISONED DRUGS.WE HAVE BOOTHS AT COMMUNITY EVENTS TO EDUCATE AND RAISE AWARENESS. WE SPEAK TO SCHOOLS, RELIGIOUS, PARENT, AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ABOUT ADDICTION AND OVERDOSE PREVENTION. WE POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO RAISE AWARENESS AND INFORM ABOUT HARM REDUCTION. WE GET LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND THE PYLONS AT LAX TO TURN PURPLE FOR OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY ON AUGUST 31.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 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 December 2024.
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 May 2022.
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.