Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

A New Way of Life Reentry Project

EIN 95-4782503 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A New Way of Life (ANWOL) advances multi-dimensional solutions to the effects of incarceration.

Income
$9.8 million
Spending
$8.9 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
27.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
97
Volunteers
270
Highest pay
$185,327, co-director

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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 27.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    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 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. $2.7 million spent. Replication: Through monthly training and technical assistance, the SAFE Housing Network brings replicators together to tackle a spectrum of key challenges and provides opportunities to experience connecting, communicating, and creating innovative solutions alongside peers, potential partners, and consultants.The SAFE Housing Network currently consists of organizations throughout US cities.A New Way of Life envisions the continued national and international growth of the SAFE Housing Network through additional investments in, and technical support for, new SAFE Housing Network Members.
  2. $2.0 million spent. Other program servicesAdvocacy and OrganizingAll of Us or None Southern California (AOUON-SC) is an organization of, by and for formerly incarcerated/convicted people who organize to restore the rights of people with convictions. ANWOL held monthly online meetings and new members were recruited through ANWOL services and events.Leadership DevelopmentANWOL's Women Organizing for Justice & Opportunity (WOJO) Leadership Lab is a rigorous, specialized training open only to systems-impacted women. With the first ever, historic, national expansion through our Sisterhood Alliance for Freedom and Equality (SAFE) Housing Network in 2021, thirteen dedicated leaders emerged through their participation in WOJO. They are creating organizing initiatives and implementing campaigns to combat injustices faced by individuals in their local communities.
  3. $1.6 million spent. Re-Entry Housing: Through safe homes, A New Way of Life served women, mothers ofminor children and adult children. The organization also helped women access educational opportunities, and helped women seeking employment get jobs,helped children formally reunite with their mothers and women were able to access permanent housing.
  4. $402,579 spent. Family ReunificationANWOL is the only holistic family reunification legal practice in Southern California providing parents with legal representation and advocacy in all necessary jurisdictions. We are the only parents lawyers engaging in pre-petition advocacy in child welfare and dependency court actions in Southern California. We are the only parents lawyers in Los Angeles attending meetings with social workers from the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services as parents support persons. We also are the only pro bono lawyers in Southern California providing direct representation to parents seeking to terminate guardianships in probate court and defend against temporary guardianships.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 2000.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.