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Sojourner Center

EIN 94-2465081 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OVERCOMING THE IMPACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL VIOLENCE, AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING, ONE LIFE AT A TIME. WE PROVIDE A BROAD SPECTRUM OF SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL VIOLENCE, AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING, WHILE WORKING WITH PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD ON EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY WITH THE GOAL OF ENDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THIS FISCAL YEAR, SOJOURNER CENTER RESPONDED TO 2,759 HOTLINE CALLS AND SERVED 919 SURVIVORS AND THEIR CHILDREN THROUGH EMERGENCY SHELTER, TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH. PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS RECEIVED 57,562 SAFE NIGHTS OF REST, AND 49 PETS STAYED WITH THEIR FAMILIES IN SHELTER, BENEFITING FROM OUR PET COMPANION SERVICES.

Income
$9.8 million
Spending
$6.8 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 64%
Employees
118
Volunteers
969
Highest pay
$359,501, chair/jfcs president & ceo

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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 25% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 36% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 3 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (6)
  1. $3.8 million spent. EMERGENCY SHELTER SERVICES: SOJOURNER CENTER'S EMERGENCY SHELTER OFFERS A SAFE AND CONFIDENTIAL, TRAUMA-INFORMED LIVING ENVIRONMENT, AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR, FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE FLEEING DOMESTIC OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE. ALL BASIC NEEDS ARE PROVIDED UPON ARRIVAL THROUGHOUT THE INDIVIDUALS' STAY AT THE SHELTER. CASE MANAGERS SUPPORT PARTICIPANTS IN THEIR PROGRESS TOWARD HEALING AND INDEPENDENCE THROUGH A VARIETY OF SERVICES, INCLUDING PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL CLASSES FOCUSED ON TRAUMA, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EDUCATION, SAFETY PLANNING, AND ADDITIONAL SERVICES SUCH AS LICENSED ONSITE CHILDCARE, LAY LEGAL ADVOCACY, AND LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT. ADDITIONALLY, PARTICIPANTS HAVE ACCESS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES, AND THE SHELTER IS PET FRIENDLY. WE SERVED 473 INDIVIDUALS IN FY25.
  2. $654,246 spent. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING: THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM PROVIDES STABLE, SUPPORTIVE LIVING ENVIRONMENTS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE PROGRAM OFFERS PARTICIPANTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN THE SKILLS AND RESOURCES NECESSARY FOR OBTAINING AND SUSTAINING PERMANENT HOUSING. PARTICIPANTS WORK WITH THEIR ASSIGNED CASE MANAGER TO DEVELOP AN INDIVIDUALIZED GOAL PLAN. TO ACHIEVE THIS, PARTICIPANTS HAVE ACCESS TO SOJOURNER CENTER'S COMPREHENSIVE CONTINUUM OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, FOCUSING ON THE MOST CRITICAL NEEDS RELATED TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY: FINANCIAL LITERACY, MANAGING A HOUSEHOLD AND BUDGETING, EDUCATION ATTAINMENT, AND SECURING STABLE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THE PROGRAM IS ALSO PET-FRIENDLY. WE SERVED 108 INDIVIDUALS IN FY25.
  3. $531,749 spent. COMMUNITY OUTREACH: OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM SERVES SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE WHO ARE STILL LIVING WITH AN ABUSIVE PARTNER, ARE PREPARING TO LEAVE AN ABUSIVE HOUSEHOLD, OR DO NOT NEED SHELTER BUT STILL WANT SUPPORT AND ACCESS TO COMMUNITY SERVICES TO HELP THEM OVERCOME THE IMPACT OF THE ABUSE, CONTROL, OR COERCION THEY HAVE ENDURED. SOJOURNER CENTER'S OUTREACH PROGRAM CONNECTS INDIVIDUALS WITH RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING CASE MANAGERS AND PARTNERS WHO ASSIST CLIENTS IN FINDING HOUSING AND SUPPORT SERVICES. COMMUNITY OUTREACH ALSO OFFERS PRESENTATIONS TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. WE SERVED 180 INDIVIDUALS IN FY25.
  4. $406,120 spent. CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER: THE LICENSED CHILD CARE CENTER ADDRESSES THE SHORT AND LONG TERM EFFECTS OF A CHILD'S EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT WHO ARE PRIMARY OR SECONDARY VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. CDC HOLDS A 5 STAR RATING FROM QUALITY FIRST; THIS IS THE HIGHEST RATING POSSIBLE. ENROLLED CHILDREN RECEIVE DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS AND ARE PROVIDED INDIVIDUAL LESSON PLANS TO SUPPORT WITH ACADEMIC READINESS. ACTIVITIES ARE FOCUSED ON LEARNING THROUGH PLAY, SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, AND CULTURAL-SENSITIVITY. PARENTS PARTICIPATE IN FAMILY SAFETY PLANNING, PARTICIPATION IN THEIR CHILDS CLASSROOM, AND PARENTING SUPPORT GROUPS.
  5. LAY LEGAL: THE LAY LEGAL ADVOCACY PROGRAM SUPPORTS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS ATTAIN SAFETY AND JUSTICE BY ASSISTING THEM IN ACCESSING THE LEGAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM. LAY LEGAL ADVOCATES DO NOT PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE OR RESPRESENTATION AND INSTEAD PROVIDE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND COURT ACCOMPANIMENT. LAY ADVOCATES SUPPORT VICTIMS WITH SECURING ORDERS OF PROTECTION, SUPPORT WITH LANDLORD-TENANT ISSUES (BREAKING A LEASE OR AVOIDING EVICTION), LEGAL SEPARATION OR DIVORCE, CHILD SUPPORT, CUSTODY AND VISITATION, AND MODIFICATION OF DECREES AS WELL AS ACCESSING OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES SUCH AS SHELTER, FOOD, CLOTHING, HEALTHCARE, AND CHILDCARE. LAY LEGAL ADVOCATES ARE PLACED IN MULTIPLE COURTS AND FAMILY ADVOCACY CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE VALLEY. WE SERVED 170 INDIVIDUALS IN FY25.
  6. PET SHELTER: PET COMPANION SERVICES PROVIDES ANIMALS ACCOMPANYING FAMILIES IN OUR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAL FROM THEIR TRAUMA BY PARTICIPATING IN AN ENRICHMENT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROMOTE SOCIAL INTERACTION, DECREASE STRESS, AND CRITICAL THINKING. CATS AND DOGS ARE PROVIDED MEDICAL RESOURCES INCLUDING VACCINES AND BEING SPAYED/NEUTERED. SOJOURNER CENTER CONTRACTS WITH LOST OUR HOME PET RESCUE TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR PETS AT OUR SHELTER TO ENSURE EACH PET'S INDIVIDUAL NEEDS ARE MET.

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

  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 November 6, 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 September 2025.

    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 March 1978.

    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 November 4, 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.