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Sacred Defense Fund

EIN 99-2707481 · Santa Fe, NM

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood87 out of 100GovernanceWeak49 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SACRED DEFENSE FUND STANDS WITH INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES TO PROTECT THEIR SOVEREIGNTY, LANDS, AND CULTURAL HERITAGE. IN THE SPIRIT AND COMMUNITY SHOWN AT STANDING ROCK IN 2016 AND BEYOND, WE WORK TO AMPLIFY INDIGENOUS VOICES AND PROTECT RIGHTS THROUGH GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING, IMPACTFUL STORYTELLING, AND ROBUST LEGAL ACTION.

Income
$741,748
Spending
$394,856
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
10.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
8
Highest pay
$6,962, executive di

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

Good: 87 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 47% of income.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (5)
  1. $126,175 spent. DURING THE YEAR, SACRED DEFENSE FUND SPONSORED SOVERIEGN BODIES INSTITUTE, A RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY INITIATIVE ADDRESSING GENDER-BASED AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST INDIGENOUS PEOPLE. THE ORGANIZATION EXERCISED DISCRETION AND CONTROL OVER ALL FUNDS.
  2. $119,688 spent. DURING THE YEAR, SACRED DEFENSE FUND SPONSORED OPERATION OLIVE BRANCH WHICH IS INVOLVED IN INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN AID EFFORTS. THE ORGANIZATION EXERCISED DISCRETION AND CONTROL OVER ALL FUNDS.
  3. $26,019 spent. FACILITATE NATIVE AMERICAN YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING, IN THE AREAS OF MEDIA, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND ARTS.
  4. $1,455 spent. SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION ON BEHALF OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE AND CIVIL RIGHTS. PROVIDE PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES TO NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURAL PRACTITIONERS.
  5. SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION ON BEHALF OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE AND CIVIL RIGHTS. PROVIDE PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES TO NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURAL PRACTITIONERS.

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 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 October 13, 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 December 2024.

    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 June 2024.

    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 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.