Marjaree Mason Center Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO SUPPORT AND EMPOWER ADULTS AND THEIR CHILDREN AFFECTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, WHILE STRIVING TO PREVENT AND END THE CYCLE OF ABUSE THROUGH EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY.
- Income
- $16.4 million
- Spending
- $13.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- -14.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 50%
- Employees
- 122
- Volunteers
- 45
- Highest pay
- $189,869, chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 57% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 19% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 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 September 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 (4)
- $8.7 million spent. EMERGENCY SERVICES: CRISIS RESPONSE - THE MARJAREE MASON CENTER (MMC) OPERATES A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CRISIS HELPLINE WHICH IS AVAILABLE 24 HOURS PER DAY, 7 DAYS PER WEEK. THIS 24/7 HELPLINE, STAFFED BY MMC'S DEDICATED CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM (CRT), PROVIDES IMMEDIATE CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES INCLUDING: RISK ASSESSMENTS, SAFETY PLANNING, EMERGENCY SHELTER, TRANSPORTATION, FOOD AND REFERRALS FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND/OR ORGANIZATIONS. ON AVERAGE, DURING THIS TIME PERIOD, EACH DROP-IN CLIENT SOUGHT SERVICES WITH MMC 1.49 TIMES DURING THE YEAR, WHILE HOTLINE CLIENTS SOUGHT SERVICES 2.63 TIMES DURING THE YEAR. DURING THE INTAKE PROCESS, SURVIVORS UNDERGO A RISK ASSESSMENT. THIS ASSESSMENT, COMPRISED OF 15 QUESTIONS, IS USED TO MEASURE THE LEVEL OF PHYSICAL DANGER AND LETHALITY (I.E. RISK OF DEATH) IN THEIR ABUSIVE SITUATION. A SCORE ABOVE 5 IS CONSIDERED A SEVERELY HIGH RISK FOR LETHALITY. DURING THE LAST YEAR, THE MEDIAN SCORE FOR MMC'S CLIENTS WAS 10. I. TOTAL 24/7 HELPLINE CALLS RECEIVED: 8,484II. TOTAL CRISIS-DROP-INS: 1,771III. TOTAL RISK ASSESSMENTS COMPLETED: 1,230IV. TOTAL SAFETY PLANS COMPLETED: 3,029EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR SURVIVORS AND THEIR CHILDREN: THROUGH THE AGENCY'S SAFE HOUSE PROGRAM, MMC ENSURES THAT SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARE PROVIDED WITH A SAFE PLACE TO RESIDE WHILE THEIR TRAUMATIC SITUATION IS ADDRESSED AND THEY RECEIVE THE IMMEDIATE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO RETURN TO THE COMMUNITY SAFELY. MMC OPERATES TWO CONFIDENTIALLY LOCATED SAFE HOUSES IN FRESNO COUNTY THAT OPERATE 24/7. BOTH SAFE HOUSES FEATURE PRIVATE ROOMS FOR EACH FAMILY, LARGE COMMUNAL KITCHENS, AND PLAY AREAS FOR CHILDREN. BECAUSE FAMILIES OFTEN ARRIVE WITH FEW POSSESSIONS, MMC PROVIDES PERSONAL ITEMS SUCH AS LINENS, PILLOWS, AND TOYS, AS WELL AS FOOD AND CLOTHING. WHEN NECESSARY, DUE TO CAPACITY LIMITS, THE MARJAREE MASON CENTER HOUSES CLIENTS OFFSITE IN ALTERNATIVE LOCATIONS. THESE LOCATIONS ARE ALSO CONFIDENTIAL, AND CLIENTS RECEIVE THE FULL CONTINUUM OF SERVICES WHILE RESIDING OFF SITE. LAST YEAR, MMC'S SAFE HOUSE PROGRAM PROVIDED EMERGENCY SHELTER TO A TOTAL OF 469 HOUSEHOLDS (226 SINGLE PERSON HOUSEHOLDS AND 243 FAMILIES). SIMILAR TO LAST YEAR, WE CONTINUED TO SEE AN INCREASE IN THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY FOR CLIENTS RESIDING IN EMERGENCY SHELTER. TOTAL NIGHTS OF EMERGENCY SHELTER PROVIDED LAST YEAR WERE 40,085. - 51% OF ALL HOUSEHOLDS PROVIDED WITH EMERGENCY SHELTER HAD AT LEAST ONE CHILD - THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY FOR ALL EMERGENCY STAYS WAS 30 DAYS, COMPARED TO 28 DAYS LAST YEAR.
- $1.3 million spent. HOUSING SERVICES: MMC OPERATES SEVERAL HOUSING PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE CRITICAL, SAFE AND CONFIDENTIAL SHELTER AND ONGOING SUPPORT SERVICES TO SURVIVORS AND THEIR CHILDREN RECOVERING FROM VIOLENCE. IN ADDITION TO THE EMERGENCY SHELTER, MMC'S HOUSING PROGRAMS ALSO INCLUDE FACILITY AND COMMUNITY BASED LONGER-TERM TRANSITIONAL SHELTER AS WELL AS OFF-SITE SHORT-TERM RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR PERMANENT HOUSING. CLIENTS MAY PARTICIPATE IN THESE PROGRAMS FOR A PERIOD OF BETWEEN 12 AND 24 MONTHS DEPENDING ON THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS. IN ACCORDANCE WITH VAWA GUIDELINES, MMC USES THE HOUSING FIRST MODEL TO PROVIDE SERVICE FOR SURVIVORS. THIS MODEL USES HOUSING AS A TOOL FOR RECOVERY RATHER THAN AS A REWARD FOR PARTICIPATION AND FOCUSES ON CONNECTING SURVIVORS TO PERMANENT HOUSING AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS AN IDEAL CHOICE FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS SEEKING HOUSING SUPPORT WHEN PHYSICAL SAFETY IS NO LONGER A THREAT. TOGETHER, MMC'S TRANSITIONAL AND LONGER-TERM HOUSING PROGRAMS PROVIDED SAFE SHELTER TO 106 HOUSEHOLDS (230 INDIVIDUALS) INCLUDING 24 SINGLE PERSON HOUSEHOLDS AND 82 FAMILIES. - 77% OF ALL HOUSEHOLDS IN THIS PROJECT WERE FAMILIES (AVERAGE FAMILY SIZE FOR FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS WAS THREE)
- $461,333 spent. ADVOCACY AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE: MMC OPERATES USING A "NO WRONG DOOR" PHILOSOPHY. THIS MEANS THAT INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES REGARDLESS OF THEIR FIRST POINT OF CONTACT. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING TELEPHONE RESPONSES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, MMC ALSO EMPLOYS VICTIM ADVOCATES STATIONED AT THE FRESNO SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE FRESNO POLICE DEPARTMENT. THROUGH THIS COLLABORATION, MMC ADVOCATES WORK ALONGSIDE OFFICERS RESPONDING TO REPORTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CONNECT IMMEDIATELY WITH SURVIVORS TO PROVIDE CRISIS INTERVENTION, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, EDUCATION ON THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, SAFETY PLANNING, AND ADDITIONAL LINKAGES TO APPROPRIATE COMMUNITY RESOURCES AS NECESSARY. MMC PROVIDES A VARIETY OF LEGAL SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDING LEGAL ADVOCACY, COURT ACCOMPANIMENT, RESTRAINING ORDER ASSISTANCE, EDUCATION AND SUPPORT TO SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. FREE LEGAL OPTIONS CLASSES ARE FACILITATED WEEKLY AT THREE OF THE MMC'S FACILITIES AND ARE OPEN TO ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THE FIRST PORTION OF THE CLASS IS INFORMATIONAL AND PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW OF VARIOUS TYPES OF RESTRAINING ORDERS, THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, SAFETY PLANNING, AND TYPES OF SERVICES AVAILABLE. THE SECOND SECTION OF THE CLASS WALKS CLIENTS THROUGH FILLING OUT A REQUEST FOR A TEMPORARY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDER AND/OR GUN VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDER. CLIENTS SEEKING RESTRAINING ORDERS WITH MORE COMPLICATED LEGAL ISSUES MAY BE REFERRED TO PROJECT FIRST STEP. PROJECT FIRST STEP IS A COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM WHERE PRO BONO ATTORNEYS REPRESENT CLIENTS AT THEIR RESTRAINING ORDER HEARINGS. THIS SERVICE IS PROVIDED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CENTRAL CALIFORNIA LEGAL SERVICES, INC. IN COLLABORATION WITH FRESNO COUNTY FAMILY COURT, MMC ADVOCATES ATTEND REGULAR RESTRAINING ORDER HEARINGS TO PROVIDE IN-PERSON ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION TO COURT PARTICIPANTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANSWERING QUESTIONS, PROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT THE COURT PROCESS AND WHAT TO EXPECT, OFFERING EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND INFORMING THEM OF AVAILABLE MMC SERVICES. THOSE FLEEING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFTEN EXPERIENCE FINANCIAL INSECURITY WHILE THEIR ABUSER MAY BE ABLE TO OBTAIN THEIR OWN PAID LEGAL REPRESENTATION. ADVOCATES HELP KEEP SURVIVORS INFORMED OF THEIR LEGAL OPTIONS AND WALK THEM THROUGH THE (OFTEN INTIMIDATING) COURT PROCESS. I. LEGAL ADVOCACY- 2,749 (INCREASE OF 15%)II. TOTAL RESTRAINING ORDER REQUESTS COMPLETED: 518III. TOTAL SURVIVORS PROVIDED COURT ACCOMPANIMENT: 807
- $585,219 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS:4D PREVENTION, EDUCATION, & OUTREACH: MMC RECOGNIZES THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION, EDUCATION AND AWARENESS PROGRAMS ARE CRUCIAL TO BREAKING GENERATIONAL CYCLES OF ABUSE. WITH THAT IN MIND, MMC IS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES EACH YEAR. THIS INCLUDES FACILITATING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TRAINING, PROVIDING PRESENTATIONS, PARTICIPATING IN LOCAL COMMUNITY EVENTS, AND COORDINATING WITH LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE PREVENTION EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO YOUTH. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TRAINING TEACHES INDIVIDUALS ABOUT RECOGNIZING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, IDENTIFYING RED FLAGS, WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT SOMEONE IS A VICTIM OF ABUSE, AND HOW TO ACCESS MMC SERVICES. FOR OVER 20 YEARS, MMC HAS COLLABORATED WITH LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE THE KNOW MORE PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM IS TAILORED TO EACH SCHOOL SITE AND GRADE LEVEL AND CONTAINS DISCUSSION GUIDES DESIGNED TO PROVIDE TEENS, ADVISORS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EDUCATION, AWARENESS AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES AND INTERVENTION TECHNIQUES. MMC PREVENTION AND EDUCATION STAFF FACILITATE ACTIVITIES AND GAMES WITH STUDENTS DESIGNED TO KEEP THEM ENGAGED AND WITH RETENTION OF INFORMATION. ADDITIONALLY, MMC WORKS ALONGSIDE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL TEAMS TO HELP THEM DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO USE WHEN STUDENTS ARE EXPERIENCING TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AND ARE SEEKING HELP. MMC ALSO TRAINS PARENTS/GUARDIANS ON WHAT THEY SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR AND HOW TO HAVE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR TEENS. SCHOOL DISTRICTS: 7SCHOOL SITES: 51HIGH SCHOOLS WITH THE KNOW MORE PROGRAM: 30INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS WITH THE KNOW MORE PROGRAM: 21KNOW MORE PRESENTATIONS: 745CHILD ADVOCACY PROGRAM: THE CHILD ADVOCACY PROGRAM AT MMC PROVIDES SUPPORT THROUGH THE CHILDREN'S ENRICHMENT CENTERS AND THROUGH HOME VISITATION SERVICES. THE CHILD ADVOCACY PROGRAM WORKS CLOSELY WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN RECEIVING SERVICES DO NOT FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS. ADDITIONAL CHILDREN'S SERVICES INCLUDE INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING, DEVELOPMENTAL ASSESSMENTS, PARENTING CLASSES AND CASE MANAGEMENT TO ASSIST FAMILIES WITH ADDRESSING ANY OTHER NEEDS THE CHILDREN AND/OR FAMILY MAY HAVE. IN ADDITION TO BEING A POSITIVE AND SAFE PLACE WHERE CHILDREN CAN LEARN, GROW AND PLAY, THE ENRICHMENT CENTERS ARE FURNISHED WITH BOOKS, PUZZLES, GAMES, AND FUN ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES. CHILD SUPERVISION IS PROVIDED WHILE THEIR NON-ABUSIVE PARENT ATTENDS ONSITE COUNSELING, LEGAL CLASSES, OR SUPPORT GROUPS. MMC OPERATES ENRICHMENT CENTERS AND CLINICAL OFFICES AT ALL FOUR LOCATIONS FOR CHILDREN TO INTERACT AND RECEIVE NECESSARY THERAPEUTIC SERVICES. CHILDREN'S SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY KNOWLEDGEABLE PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE TRAINED TO WORK WITH CHILDREN IN CRISIS AND/OR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS. COUNSELING: MMC PROVIDES INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING SERVICES FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN AFFECTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. TYPICALLY, INDIVIDUAL CLINICAL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT MMC'S ISNARDI FOUNDATION BUILDING, WHICH IS ITS COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER, OR BY REFERRAL THROUGH THE 24-HOUR CRISIS HELPLINE (559) 233-HELP (4357). IN ADDITION TO INDIVIDUAL CLINICAL SERVICES, MMC ALSO OFFERS S.A.F.E. GROUP. S.A.F.E. STANDS FOR SURVIVORS OF ABUSE: FREE AND EMPOWERED. THIS IS AN OPEN GROUP COURSE PROVIDED OVER 12 WEEKS, WHICH COVERS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TOPICS INCLUDING (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) DEFINING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, UNDERSTANDING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, AND THE EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON CHILDREN. CLINICAL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BOTH IN PERSON AND VIA TELEHEALTH USING REMOTE TECHNOLOGY. - INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS INCREASED BY 50% OVER THE PAST YEAR- GROUP PARTICIPATION INCREASED BY 16% OVER THE PAST YEAR- ADULT COUNSELING SESSIONS: 3887- CHILDREN'S COUNSELING SESSIONS: 414- SUPPORT GROUP SESSIONS: 949- KID'S GROUP SESSIONS: 238FAMILY STABILIZATION PROGRAM: MMC WORKS WITH LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES SUCH AS CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES (CPS) AND THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES (DSS) CALWORKS PROGRAM TO PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS AFFECTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THESE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS FOCUS ON PROVIDING SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH THE SUPPORT NECESSARY TO OVERCOME THE LONG-TERM TRAUMATIC EFFECTS OF EXPERIENCING ABUSE. CLIENTS ENGAGED IN CALWORKS PROGRAMS AND ARE EXPERIENCING OR WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED PAST INCIDENTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CAN ENROLL IN THE FAMILY STABILIZATION PROGRAM (FSP). SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE CASE MANAGEMENT, COUNSELING, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EDUCATION, AND CHILDREN'S ENRICHMENT CENTER SERVICES AND SUPPORT AS WELL AS PARENTING CLASSES. MMC WORKS DIRECTLY WITH CPS TO ASSIST CLIENTS FACING CUSTODY ISSUES. SERVICES CAN INCLUDE PARTICIPATING IN MONTHLY "TEAM DECISION MEETINGS AND INTERVENTIONS TO DEVELOP SUPPORT PLANS FOR PREVENTING LOSS OF CUSTODY AND/OR REGAINING CUSTODY. HOUSEHOLDS SERVED: 95CASE MANAGEMENT SESSIONS: 3,339SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM COMPLETIONS: 42
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 December 1942.
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.
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