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Freedom Writers Foundation

Organization summary

Type of Nonprofit

Designated as a Organizations for any of the following purposes: religious, educational, charitable, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition (as long as it doesn't provide athletic facilities or equipment), or the prevention of cruelty to children or animals.

Category: Education N.E.C. (NTEE)

Donations to this organization are tax deductible.

Details

According to its Dec. 2023 tax filing, this nonprofit:

Reported conflict of interest transactions
Organizations must report loans, grants or business transactions with interested parties, which may include key employees and officers, their family members and any businesses in which they hold a controlling interest. These transactions must be reported on Schedule L.

Summary charts: organization finances over time

Revenue
$1.41M (2023)

Expenses
$1.42M (2023)

Total Assets
$456k (2023)

Total Liabilities
$435k (2023)

Source: Form 990 tax filings from 2011 to 2023

Tax Filings by Year

Form 990 is an information return that most organizations claiming federal tax-exempt status must file yearly with the IRS. Nonprofit Explorer has IRS digitized Form 990 data for filings processed in 2012 and later. If this organization filed an amended return, it may not be reflected below. Duplicate download links may indicate a resubmission or amendment to this organization's original return. Form 990 data is from the IRS.

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2023

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$1,405,485
Expenses
$1,418,481
Net Income
-$12,996
Net Assets
$21,214
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $771,042
54.9%
Program Services $553,344
39.4%
Investment Income $0
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $60,348
4.3%
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $11,990
0.9%
Other Revenue $8,761
0.6%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $80,065
5.6%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $488,468
34.4%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $456,091
Total Liabilities $434,877
Net Assets $21,214
Other
Reported conflict of interest transactions
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Erin Gruwell (Executive Director) $80,065 $0 $14,662
Bob Romney (Chairman) $0 $0 $0
Julie Broady (Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Giovanna Dottore (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Dr Robert Hill (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Margrit B Polak (Board Member) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2022

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$1,337,995
Expenses
$1,250,575
Net Income
$87,420
Net Assets
$40,110
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $708,187
52.9%
Program Services $528,148
39.5%
Investment Income $0
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $84,435
6.3%
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $2,906
0.2%
Other Revenue $14,319
1.1%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $69,996
5.6%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $344,981
27.6%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $533,335
Total Liabilities $493,225
Net Assets $40,110
Other
Reported conflict of interest transactions
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Erin Gruwell (Board Member, President) $69,996 $0 $0
Bob Romney (Chair) $0 $0 $0
Julie Broady (Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Giovanna Dottore (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Dr Robert Hill (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Margrit B Polak (Board Member) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2021

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$831,441
Expenses
$820,379
Net Income
$11,062
Net Assets
-$47,310
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $392,758
47.2%
Program Services $353,822
42.6%
Investment Income $0
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $73,716
8.9%
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $10,180
1.2%
Other Revenue $965
0.1%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $69,996
8.5%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $312,091
38.0%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $361,774
Total Liabilities $409,084
Net Assets -$47,310
Other
Reported conflict of interest transactions
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Erin Gruwell (Board Member/President) $69,996 $0 $0
Bob Romney (Chair) $0 $0 $0
Matt Smith Esq (Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Julie Broady (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Dr Robert Hill (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Margrit B Polak (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Giovanna Dottore (Board Member) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2020

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$519,362
Expenses
$800,235
Net Income
-$280,873
Net Assets
-$56,220
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $317,957
61.2%
Program Services $108,258
20.8%
Investment Income $0
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $69,998
13.5%
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales -$4,691
Other Revenue $27,840
5.4%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $74,474
9.3%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $297,040
37.1%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $264,873
Total Liabilities $321,093
Net Assets -$56,220
Other
Reported conflict of interest transactions
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Erin Gruwell (Board Member/President) $72,252 $0 $2,222
Bob Romney (Chair) $0 $0 $0
Matt Smith Esq (Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Julie Broady (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Dr Robert Hill (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Margrit B Polak (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Roberta Perry (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Giovanna Dottore (Board Member) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2019

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$1,107,028
Expenses
$915,340
Net Income
$191,688
Net Assets
$224,653
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $275,905
24.9%
Program Services $782,264
70.7%
Investment Income $0
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $43,673
3.9%
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $1,414
0.1%
Other Revenue $3,772
0.3%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $61,761
6.7%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $336,354
36.7%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $379,835
Total Liabilities $155,182
Net Assets $224,653
Other
Reported conflict of interest transactions
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Erin Gruwell (Board Member/President) $52,947 $0 $8,814
Julie Broady (Chair) $0 $0 $0
Matt Smith Esq (Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Bob Romney (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Daisy Farias (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Dr Robert Hill (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Margrit B Polak (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Cristian Yancey (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Matt Riley (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Roberta Perry (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Giovanna Dottore (Board Member) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2018

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$1,077,716
Expenses
$1,117,719
Net Income
-$40,003
Net Assets
$38,282
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $852,936
79.1%
Program Services $136,410
12.7%
Investment Income $0
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $69,785
6.5%
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $13,279
1.2%
Other Revenue $5,306
0.5%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $44,062
3.9%
Professional Fundraising Fees $5,820
0.5%
Other Salaries and Wages $325,815
29.1%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $189,338
Total Liabilities $151,056
Net Assets $38,282
Other
Reported conflict of interest transactions
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Erin Gruwell (Board Member/President) $53,727 $0 $335
Julie Broady (Chair) $0 $0 $0
Katerina Zacharia (Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Scott Johnson (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Sylvia Acosta (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Travis Dredd (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Brian J Mills Esq (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Margrit B Polak (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Matt Riley (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Ranjo Sagusay (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Matt Smith Esq (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Robert Tauler Esq (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Cristian Yancey (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2017

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$875,087
Expenses
$920,940
Net Income
-$45,853
Net Assets
$78,285
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $641,062
73.3%
Program Services $164,536
18.8%
Investment Income $0
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $42,842
4.9%
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $23,809
2.7%
Other Revenue $2,838
0.3%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $46,666
5.1%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $311,425
33.8%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $154,877
Total Liabilities $76,592
Net Assets $78,285
Other
Reported conflict of interest transactions
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Erin Gruwell (Board Member/President) $46,666 $0 $0
Julie Broady (Chair) $0 $0 $0
Katerina Zacharia (Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Scott Johnson (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Sylvia Acosta (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Travis Dredd (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Brian J Mills Esq (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Margrit B Polak (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Matt Riley (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Ranjo Sagusay (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Matt Smith Esq (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Robert Tauler Esq (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Cristian Yancey (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2016

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$967,132
Expenses
$971,422
Net Income
-$4,290
Net Assets
$124,138
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $771,672
79.8%
Program Services $143,604
14.8%
Investment Income $0
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $47,558
4.9%
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $2,911
0.3%
Other Revenue $1,387
0.1%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $59,280
6.1%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $228,516
23.5%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $208,718
Total Liabilities $84,580
Net Assets $124,138
Other
Reported conflict of interest transactions
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Erin Gruwell (Board Member/President) $59,280 $0 $0
Julie Broady (Chair) $0 $0 $0
Katerina Zacharia (Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Scott Johnson (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Sylvia Acosta (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Travis Dredd (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Brian J Mills Esq (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Margrit B Polak (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Matt Riley (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Ranjo Sagusay (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Matt Smith Esq (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Robert Tauler Esq (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Cristian Yancey (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2015

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$944,518
Expenses
$1,015,891
Net Income
-$71,373
Net Assets
$128,428
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $763,047
80.8%
Program Services $117,596
12.5%
Investment Income $0
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $26,060
2.8%
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $18,004
1.9%
Other Revenue $19,811
2.1%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $21,733
2.1%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $193,351
19.0%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $176,378
Total Liabilities $47,950
Net Assets $128,428
Other
Reported conflict of interest transactions
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Erin Gruwell (Board Member/President) $21,733 $0 $0
Julie Broady (Co Chair) $0 $0 $0
Doug Brockway (Co Chair) $0 $0 $0
Katerina Zacharia (Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Scott Johnson (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Sylvia Acosta (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Travis Dredd (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Brian J Mills Esq (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Margrit B Polak (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Matt Riley (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Ranjo Sagusay (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Matt Smith Esq (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Robert Tauler Esq (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0
Cristian Yancey (Member At Large) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2014

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$1,029,536
Expenses
$1,041,438
Net Income
-$11,902
Net Assets
$199,801
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $889,780
86.4%
Program Services $82,887
8.1%
Investment Income $0
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $62,733
6.1%
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales -$9,094
Other Revenue $3,230
0.3%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $21,875
2.1%
Professional Fundraising Fees $3,675
0.4%
Other Salaries and Wages $238,631
22.9%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $218,779
Total Liabilities $18,978
Net Assets $199,801
Other
Reported conflict of interest transactions
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Erin Gruwell (Board Member/President) $21,875 $0 $0
Travis Dredd (Chair) $0 $0 $0
Brian J Mills Esq (Bvoard Member) $0 $0 $0
Traci Collins (Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Julie Broady (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
Scott Johnson Cpa (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Nanette Barragan Esq (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Doug Brockway (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Dr Wilbert Greer (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Matt Riley (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Ranjo Sagusay (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Christian Yancey (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Margrit B Polak Shield (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Joshua Ludmir (Board Member) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2013

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$987,576
Expenses
$995,073
Net Income
-$7,497
Net Assets
$211,703
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $812,547
82.3%
Program Services $101,722
10.3%
Investment Income $0
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $69,743
7.1%
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales -$1,294
Other Revenue $4,858
0.5%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $26,026
2.6%
Professional Fundraising Fees $9,655
1.0%
Other Salaries and Wages $314,159
31.6%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $267,617
Total Liabilities $55,914
Net Assets $211,703
Other
Reported conflict of interest transactions
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
Erin Gruwell (Board Member/President) $26,026 $0 $0
Michelle Slavich (Co Chair) $0 $0 $0
Ron Mcjunkin (Co Chair) $0 $0 $0
Scott Johnson (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Josh Ludmir Esq (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Puneet Shai Cfa (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Susan Nahley Fleishman (Board Member) $0 $0 $0
Dr Don Wing (Board Member) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2012

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$919,932
Expenses
$977,288
Net Income
-$57,356
Net Assets
$219,200
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $705,921
76.7%
Program Services $132,430
14.4%
Investment Income $0
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $74,105
8.1%
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $2,102
0.2%
Other Revenue $5,374
0.6%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $25,770
2.6%
Professional Fundraising Fees $24,934
2.6%
Other Salaries and Wages $225,784
23.1%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $267,834
Total Liabilities $48,634
Net Assets $219,200

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2011

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$695,479
Expenses
$590,831
Net Income
$104,648
Net Assets
$276,556
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $411,289
59.1%
Program Services $164,531
23.7%
Investment Income $0
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $81,375
11.7%
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $32,843
4.7%
Other Revenue $5,441
0.8%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $20,000
3.4%
Professional Fundraising Fees $2,448
0.4%
Other Salaries and Wages $143,312
24.3%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $345,470
Total Liabilities $68,914
Net Assets $276,556

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2010

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2009

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2008

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2007

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2006

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2005

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2004

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2003

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2002

No Extracted Financial Data

Extracted financial data is not available for the forms filed in this tax period, but Form 990 documents are available for download.

Document Links

About This Data

Nonprofit Explorer includes summary data for nonprofit tax returns and full Form 990 documents, in both PDF and digital formats.

The summary data contains information processed by the IRS during the 2012-2019 calendar years; this generally consists of filings for the 2011-2018 fiscal years, but may include older records. This data release includes only a subset of what can be found in the full Form 990s.

In addition to the raw summary data, we link to PDFs and digital copies of full Form 990 documents wherever possible. This consists of separate releases by the IRS of Form 990 documents processed by the agency, which we update regularly.

We also link to copies of audits nonprofit organizations that spent $750,000 or more in Federal grant money in a single fiscal year since 2016. These audits are copied from the Federal Audit Clearinghouse.

Which Organizations Are Here?

Every organization that has been recognized as tax exempt by the IRS has to file Form 990 every year, unless they make less than $200,000 in revenue and have less than $500,000 in assets, in which case they have to file form 990-EZ. Organizations making less than $50,000 don’t have to file either form but do have to let the IRS they’re still in business via a Form 990N "e-Postcard."

Nonprofit Explorer has organizations claiming tax exemption in each of the 27 subsections of the 501(c) section of the tax code, and which have filed a Form 990, Form 990EZ or Form 990PF. Taxable trusts and private foundations that are required to file a form 990PF are also included. Small organizations filing a Form 990N "e-Postcard" are not included in this data.

Types of Nonprofits

There are 27 nonprofit designations based on the numbered subsections of section 501(c) of the tax code. See the list »

Get the Data

For those interested in acquiring the original data from the source, here’s where our data comes from:

  • Raw filing data. Includes EINs and summary financials as structured data.
  • Exempt Organization profiles. Includes organization names, addresses, etc. You can merge this with the raw filing data using EIN numbers.
  • Form 990 documents. Prior to 2017, these documents were obtained and processed by Public.Resource.org and ProPublica. Bulk PDF downloads since 2017 are available from the IRS.
  • Form 990 documents as XML files. Includes complete filing data (financial details, names of officers, tax schedules, etc.) in machine-readable format. Only available for electronically filed documents. Electronic data released prior to October 2021 is also available through Amazon Web Services.
  • Audits. PDFs of single or program-specific audits for nonprofit organizations that spent $750,000 or more in Federal grant money in a single fiscal year. Available for fiscal year 2015 and later.

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