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DEFENDERS OF CHILDREN

PHOENIX, AZ · EIN 412259676 · Form 990 · FY2022 · NTEE P30 · Human Services · Small ($100K-$1M) · defendersofchildren.org
revenue
$874K
expenses
$785K
net assets
$139K
employees
11
volunteers
10
program ratio
81%
mission · from form 990

TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FROM VIOLENCE, FIGHT FOR THEIR ACCESS TO JUSTICE, FACILITATE HEALING, AND END THE INTERGENERATIONAL CYCLE OF ABUSE

profile · synthesized from sources

Defenders of Children is a Phoenix-based nonprofit organization founded in 2007 that provides free trauma-informed legal services to low-income children and their families throughout Arizona. The organization focuses on protecting the rights and safety of child survivors of family violence and collaborates with various advocacy groups to promote healthier, violence-free families.

named programs · 3 · from sources

what they call their work

Crime Victim Services
Offers legal support to child victims of crime and their families to ensure their rights are upheld in the criminal justice process.
Family Law Services
Provides direct representation and legal support in family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and protective orders.
Pro Bono Attorney Program
Expands legal services to children and families by engaging volunteer attorneys to provide free legal assistance in various areas of law, including family law and civil rights.
activities · 8 clusters

what they do

  • Human Trafficking Prevention Education 3 activities
    • Community Education and Training
      Provides educational programs to the general public and conducts educational trainings for community members and professionals on child protection and domestic violence advocacy, offering on-demand consultation to community partners.
    • Community and Professional Training
      Provides educational trainings and on-demand consultation to community partners and professionals on topics related to child protection and domestic violence advocacy.
    • Public Educational Programs
      Provides educational programs to the general public and conducts educational trainings for community members and professionals on child protection and domestic violence advocacy.
  • Legal Services for Vulnerable Youth and Trafficking Survivors 3 activities
    • Free Legal Services for Children and Families
      Provides free trauma-informed and healing-focused legal services to low-income children and their families throughout Arizona, particularly child survivors of family violence. Services range from document preparation to full court representation in family law, juvenile court, protective orders, civil legal areas, and criminal cases.
    • Free Trauma-Informed Legal Services for Children and Families
      Provides free trauma-informed and healing-focused legal services to low-income children and their families throughout Arizona, with a focus on child survivors of family violence. Services range from document preparation to full court representation, including advice and representation in legal proceedings.
    • Legal Representation and Support for Children and Families
      Provides free, trauma-informed legal services to low-income children and their families throughout Arizona, offering direct representation and support in family law (divorce, custody, child support), juvenile court (emancipation, termination of parental rights), protective orders, and civil legal areas (housing, consumer, education, employment, civil rights). Services range from document preparation to full court representation.
  • Pro Bono Legal Representation & Advice 3 activities
    • Pro Bono Attorney Program
      Operates a Pro Bono Attorney Program that leverages volunteer legal professionals to provide various legal services, including full case representation, co-counseling, client consultations, document preparation, and brief services like legal research, thereby expanding the organization's reach.
    • Pro Bono Attorney Program
      Operates a Pro Bono Attorney Program where volunteer attorneys provide various legal services, including full case representation, co-counseling, client consultations, document preparation, and brief services like legal research, to expand the organization's reach.
    • Pro Bono Attorney Program
      Operates a Pro Bono Attorney Program that engages volunteer attorneys to provide various legal services, including full case representation, co-counseling, client consultations, document preparation, and brief services like legal research, to expand the organization's reach and leverage legal expertise.
  • Family Law Legal Assistance 2 activities
    • Family Law Representation
      Offers direct representation and legal support in family law matters such as divorce, legal separation, annulment, paternity, child custody, and child support, helping families navigate the family court system to protect children.
    • Juvenile Court Legal Support
      Provides legal support in juvenile court for cases involving emancipation and termination of parental rights.
  • Child Trafficking and Abuse Recovery Services 1 activity
    • Criminal Case Representation for Child Victims
      Provides direct representation and legal support to child victims of crime and their parents, relatives, or guardians in criminal cases to ensure their constitutional rights are respected.
  • Legal Advocacy for Survivors 1 activity
    • Protective Order Legal Support
      Offers legal support for obtaining protective orders, including orders of protection and injunctions against harassment.
  • School-Based Educational Programs 1 activity
    • Public Educational Programs
      Provides educational programs to the general public.
  • Uncategorized 2 activities
    • Civil Legal Representation
      Provides direct representation and legal support in civil legal areas such as housing (eviction prevention, lease termination, Title VI violations), consumer law (predatory lending, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act violations), education (Title IX violations), employment (Title VII violations), and other civil rights issues.
    • Community Partner Training and Consultation
      Provides training and on-demand consultation to community partners to enhance their capacity.
financials · form 990 · fy2022

the money

revenue
Total revenue$874K
Contributions & grants$819K94%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$760%
Other revenue$54K
expenses
Total expenses$785K
Program expenses81%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$614K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$139K
Cash$60K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$139K
Liquid reserves0.9 mo
2 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue +14.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
JOHANNA FIERSTEIN Executive Dir. 60 $94K
board members · 6
  • DEBBIE RAY — Director
  • JK JACKSON — Director
  • KELLY MENDOZA — Director
  • MERYL WARDA — Director
  • SADAF KWAJA — Director
  • SHERI GRANGER — Director
relationships · 3

who they work with

  • Arizona Bar Foundation Partner — Supports the Pro Bono Attorney Program and provides professional liability insurance for participating attorneys.
  • domestic violence shelters Partner — Partners with domestic violence shelters to support victims.
  • residential treatment centers Partner — Collaborates with residential treatment centers for victim advocacy.