Mission: Dignity Freedom Network is a group of passionate people who believe that every life is worth fighting for. Together, we rescue and protect those society wants to ignore.
DFN rescues India's most vulnerable people from the devastating chains of human trafficking, poverty, and discrimination. Often, those most at-risk of exploitation are women and children. Our team goes into the most difficult places to help them reclaim their dignity, rewrite their stories, and restore their hope.
DFN works with a team of local partners on the ground in India. We've been working for freedom and justice for over 20 years. We know how to lift up and empower those in danger of trafficking, child labor, and abuse.
We work in four initiatives that bring holistic healing to children, families, and communities: Trafficking Prevention and Rescue, Education, Health Care, and Skill Training.
We serve every person with the hope that their tomorrow will be better than today.
Dignity Freedom Network is a 501(c)(3) organization, with an IRS ruling year of 2003, and donations are tax-deductible.
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Contact Information
16432 North Midland Boulevard, #47
Nampa ID 83687
Important note on the timeliness of ratings
The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). As a result, the Financial and Accountability & Transparency score for Dignity Freedom Network is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations. Please check with the charity directly for any questions you may have.
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Star Rating System by Charity Navigator
Charity Navigator evaluates a nonprofit organization’s financial health including measures of stability, efficiency and sustainability. We also track accountability and transparency policies to ensure the good governance and integrity of the organization.
Needs Improvement
This charity's score is 71.48, earning it a 2-Star rating. Charity Navigator believes donors can "Give with Confidence" to charities with 3- and 4-Star ratings.
This score is calculated from two sub-scores:
Finance: 76.82 View details
Accountability & Transparency: 67.00 View details
This score represents Form 990 data from 2019, the latest year published by the IRS.
View this organization’s historical ratings.
Star Rated Report
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Program Expense Ratio
70.0%
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s).
This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver. Dividing a charity's average program expenses by its average total functional expenses yields this percentage. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Administrative Expenses
10.7%
As reported by charities on their IRS Form 990, this measure reflects what percent of its total budget a charity spends on overhead, administrative staff and associated costs, and organizational meetings. Dividing a charity's average administrative expenses by its average total functional expenses yields this percentage. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Fundraising Expenses
19.2%
This measure reflects what a charity spends to raise money. Fundraising expenses can include campaign printing, publicity, mailing, and staffing and costs incurred in soliciting donations, memberships, and grants. Dividing a charity's average fundraising expenses by its average total functional expenses yields this percentage. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Liabilities to Assets Ratio
30.7%
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990).
Part of our goal in rating the financial performance of charities is to help donors assess the financial capacity and sustainability of a charity. As do organizations in other sectors, charities must be mindful of their management of total liabilites in relation to their total assets. This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and or long term sustainability. Dividing a charity's total liabilities by its total assets yields this percentage.
Source: IRS Form 990
Fundraising Efficiency
$0.18
The amount spent to raise $1 in charitable contributions. To calculate a charity's fundraising efficiency, we divide its average fundraising expenses by the average total contributions it receives. We calculate the charity's average expenses and average contributions over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Working Capital Ratio
0.34 years
Determines how long a charity could sustain its level of spending using its net available assets, or working capital, as reported on its most recently filed Form 990. We include in a charity's working capital unrestricted and temporarily restricted net assets, and exclude permanently restricted net assets. Dividing these net available assets in the most recent year by a charity's average total expenses, yields the working capital ratio. We calculate the charity's average total expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense Growth
5.61%
We compute the average annual growth of program expenses using the following formula: [(Yn/Y0)(1/n)]-1, where Y0 is a charity's program expenses in the first year of the interval analyzed, Yn is the charity's program expenses in the most recent year, and n is the interval of years passed between Y0 and Yn.
Source: IRS Form 990
Governance
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has these governance practices in place.
Sources Include: IRS Form 990
| Governance: | |
|---|---|
| Independent Voting Board Members ... (More) | |
| No Material Diversion of Assets ... (More) A diversion of assets – any unauthorized conversion or use of the organization's assets other than for the organization's authorized purposes, including but not limited to embezzlement or theft – can seriously call into question a charity's financial integrity. We check the charity's last two Forms 990 to see if the charity has reported any diversion of assets. If the charity does report a diversion, then we check to see if it complied with the Form 990 instructions by describing what happened and its corrective action. This metric will be assigned to one of the following categories:
| |
| Audited Financials Prepared by Independent Accountant ... (More) Audited financial statements provide important information about financial accountability and accuracy. They should be prepared by an independent accountant with oversight from an audit committee. (It is not necessary that the audit committee be a separate committee. Often at smaller charities, it falls within the responsibilities of the finance committee or the executive committee.) The committee provides an important oversight layer between the management of the organization, which is responsible for the financial information reported, and the independent accountant, who reviews the financials and issues an opinion based on its findings. We check the charity's Form 990 reporting to see if it meets this criteria.
| |
| Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From Related Parties ... (More) | |
| Documents Board Meeting Minutes ... (More) | |
| Distributes 990 to Board Before Filing ... (More) | |
| Compensates Board ... (More) |
Policies
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990, or for some metrics on the charity's website, that the organization has these policies in place.
Sources Include: IRS Form 990 and organization's website
| Policies: | |
|---|---|
| Conflict of Interest ... (More) | |
| Whistleblower ... (More) | |
| Records Retention and Destruction ... (More) | |
| CEO Compensation Process ... (More) | |
| Donor Privacy ... (More) Donors can be reluctant to contribute to a charity when their name, address, or other basic information may become part of donor lists that are exchanged or sold, resulting in an influx of charitable solicitations from other organizations. Our analysts check the charity's website to see if the organization has a donor privacy policy in place and what it does and does not cover. Privacy policies are assigned to one of the following categories:
The privacy policy must be specific to donor information. A general website policy which references "visitor" or "user" personal information will not suffice. A policy that refers to donor information collected on the website is also not sufficient as the policy must be comprehensive and applicable to both online and offline donors. The existence of a privacy policy of any type does not prohibit the charity itself from contacting the donor for informational, educational, or solicitation purposes. (Less) |
Transparency
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990, or for some metrics on the charity's website, that the organization makes this information easily accessible.
Sources Include: IRS Form 990 and organization's website
| Transparency: | |
|---|---|
| CEO Salary Listed on 990 ... (More) | |
| Board of Directors Listed on Website ... (More) | |
| Key Staff Listed on Website ... (More) | |
| Audited Financial Statements on Website ... (More) | |
| Form 990 Available on Website ... (More) |
Additional Information
Unscored
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Total Revenue and Expenses
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
Salary of Key Persons
Presented here are this organizations key compensated staff members as identified by our analysts. This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting
Jacque Cork, Executive Director
$90,016 (4.67% of Total Expenses)
Current CEO and Board Chair can be found in the Leadership & Adaptability report below.
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2019
Business Master File Data
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Activities:
Activity data not reported from the IRS
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
Data Sources: IRS Forms 990
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to view this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available).
Pandemic Response
Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, we give charities such as this one the opportunity to share the story of COVID's impact on them. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
Dignity Freedom Network reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Fundraising Capacity
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
We were unable to hold child sponsorship events which is a significant part of our fundraising every year. These events help us grow our income, they also replace attrition in our sponsorship program. In addition to regular attrition, we lost funding due to loss of jobs for our regular sponsors. We did receive a PPE loan, so we were able to cover administrative costs without sacrificing programming in India.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
Schools in India were shut down for most of the year. We were able to provide learning packets to younger students. We also shifted to lessons being taught virtually, mostly through WhatsApp. This was very challenging for our students. Most of them have only one small phone in their family. Many had to borrow a neighbor's phone to watch their teacher and then submit their assignments. As of 10/1/21, most upper schools have reopened. This is excellent news! Elementary and middle schools are still waiting for the government to allow them to meet. These students are still learning virtually through Whats App and take-home packets when technology is not available. It is very challenging for teachers and students working in low-income and remote communities. These children are not moving forward in their education, but they are at least maintaining. The goal is to stay connected so they can return to school as soon as the lockdowns are lifted.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
We adapted in three significant ways: First, we shifted to virtual learning. Our students found this very challenging. However, because our teachers were able to stay involved in their lives, we were able to help families who were without food and at risk of homelessness. Second, we made major changes to our health care initiatives. We established 28 virtual clinics and 6 COVID centers. We also opened a Critical Care COVID Clinic that provided oxygen and 24-hour care to severely ill patients. Third, we became a major distributor of 30-day food kits. With our system of schools in remote and vulnerable communities, the government partnered with us to distribute more than 3.5M meals. Finally, with over 130 Community Health Workers, we reached more than one million people in more than 600 villages. We provided access to healthcare, education on how the virus spreads, and the importance of hygiene. We also provided COVID care kits so patients can manage their symptoms at home.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
We will continue to expand our healthcare system. The pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of India's healthcare. We plan to have 50 virtual clinics by the end of 2021. All of these are in rural and marginalized communities. We will also continue to expand the reach of Community Health Workers. They helped rescue 850 girls from trafficking and stopped 121 child marriages. This team is essential to keeping the young girls of India safe.
Historical Ratings
| Date Published | Form 990 FYE | Overall Score | Overall Rating |
| Rating Version: 2.1 | |||
| 8/3/2021 | 2019 | 71.48 | |
| 9/1/2020 | 2018 | 75.77 | |
| 7/1/2019 | 2017 | 79.49 | |
| 6/1/2018 | 2016 | 80.83 |  |
| 4/1/2017 | 2015 | 75.08 | |
| 11/1/2016 | 2014 | 74.63 | |
| 6/1/2016 | 2014 | 82.08 | |
This organization received multiple star ratings within this fiscal year, due to an update to its Accountability and Transparency data and/or the receipt of an amended Form 990. | |||
| Rating Version: 2.0 | |||
| 3/1/2016 | 2014 | 74.99 | |
| 5/1/2015 | 2013 | 84.89 | |
| 10/1/2013 | 2012 | 91.11 |  |
| 12/20/2012 | 2011 | 83.27 | |
| 2/1/2012 | 2010 | 91.68 | |
| 9/20/2011 | 2009 | 90.92 | |
| Rating Version: 1.0 | |||
| 12/22/2010 | 2009 | 93.38 | |
| 10/1/2009 | 2008 | 91.48 | |
| 10/1/2008 | 2007 | 91.56 | |
Previous: Finance & Accountability / Next: Leadership & Adaptability
Impact & Results
This score estimates the actual impact a nonprofit has on the lives of those it serves, and determines whether it is making good use of donor resources to achieve that impact.
Impact & Results Score
Not Currently Scored
Dignity Freedom Network cannot currently be evaluated by our Encompass Rating Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
Do you work at Dignity Freedom Network? Join the waitlist for an updated Impact & Results score.
Additional Information
Unscored
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Largest Programs
Dignity Freedom Network reported its three largest programs on its FY 2019 Form 990 as:
$974,147
Spent in most recent FY
79%
Percent of program expenses
Education
$245,420
Spent in most recent FY
20%
Percent of program expenses
Building
$5,200
Spent in most recent FY
0%
Percent of program expenses
Humanitarian
Previous: Impact & Results / Next: Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
This score provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
Leadership & Adaptability Score
100
out of 100
The score earned by Dignity Freedom Network is a passing score. This score has no effect on the organization's Star Rating.
Encompass Rating V4 provides an evaluation of the organization's Leadership & Adaptability through the nonprofit organization submitting a survey response directly to Charity Navigator.
Leadership & Adaptability Report
100
of 100 points
Mission
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s mission
DFN rescues India's most vulnerable people from the devastating chains of human trafficking, poverty, and discrimination. Our team goes into the most difficult places to help them reclaim their dignity, rewrite their stories, and restore their hope. DFN works with a team of local partners on the ground in India. We've been working for freedom and justice for over 20 years. We know how to lift up and empower those in danger of trafficking, child labor, and abuse. We work in four initiatives that bring holistic healing to children, families, and communities: Trafficking Prevention and Rescue, Education, Health Care, and Skill Training. Dignity Freedom Network is a group of passionate people who believe that every life is worth fighting for. We serve every person with the hope that their tomorrow will be better than today.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Vision
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
We work to see an India without discrimination, where education is free and equal for all, where trafficking is eliminated and all people are treated with dignity regardless of where they are born, the color of their skin, or who their parents are.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Strategic Goals
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Expand Healthcare Access -- Double the number of virtual healthcare clinics and convert the COVID Clinic into a long-term hospital.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Two: Increase Community Impact: Scale the number of Community Health Workers up to 250 and work with local governments to protect vulnerable girls from trafficking.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Three: Provide millions of meals across the country.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Leadership Development
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Describe an investment in leadership
We encourage our staff to participate in webinars that fit their area of interest and expertise. We attended two virtual conferences this year. We also encourage our staff to purchase one book a month for enrichment.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Mobilizing for Mission
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
This organization mobilizes for mission in the following ways:
Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Raising Awareness
What are this organization’s external mobilizaton efforts?
We partner with local churches to host events and to raise support for specific campaigns. Our ED is part of a faith-based non-profit community that meets twice a year. She was the host for the meeting last Fall. This community shares goals and works together on issues they all face. Our staff is proud of the work we do. They share their passion with their personal network, both on social media platforms and through personal relationships.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Story of Adaptability
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
At DFN, we learned how to host a better zoom meeting, wrote more notes, made more personal phone calls, and scrutinized every piece of marketing to make sure our message spoke to the temperature in our culture regarding the pandemic, racism, and even the election cycle. The first major shift involved our Spring Appeal. Every detail was set and the appeal was about to go to print when the world shut down. We stopped the press and re-worked our appeal to focus on COVID Relief. We didn't want to be tone-deaf to the dire circumstances those in the US were facing and those in India. Our supporters were very generous. We raised significantly more than we usually do in a Spring Campaign. Second, we hosted our first-ever virtual gala to replace all of the in-person events we lost. We raised over $204,000 in one night! We hosted a more informal spring event which helped us raised $95,000 for education. It's been a year of listening and of carefully crafting a message of urgency and hope. We look back and are thankful for a collaborative team willing to think creatively and intentionally. And yes, we're hosting another gala!
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Additional Information
Unscored
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Organization Leadership
Jacque Cork
Executive Director
Ken Heulitt
Chairman
Previous: Leadership & Adaptability
Culture & Community
This score provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves. Learn more about how and why we rate Culture & Community.
Culture & Community Score
88
out of 100
Dignity Freedom Network has earned a passing score. This score has no effect on the organization's Star Rating. The organization provided data about how it listens to constituents (Constituent Feedback) and its Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) practices (see report below).
The Culture & Community Beacon is comprised of the following metrics:
Constituent Feedback: 100/100 (30% of beacon score)
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: 83/100 (70% of beacon score)
Culture & Community Report
88
of 100 points
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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
83/100 points
70% of beacon score
This organization's score of 83 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 4 diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective DEI policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
View this organization's DEI Strategies
Methodology
We are utilizing data collected by Candid to document and assess the DEI practices implemented by the organization. Nonprofit organizations are encouraged to fill out the Equity Strategies section of their Candid profiles to receive a rating.
Learn more about the methodology.
Constituent Feedback
100/100 points
30% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations that engage in inclusive practices, such as collecting feedback from the people and communities they serve, may be more effective.
View this organization's Constituent Feedback Practices
Methodology
We've partnered with Candid to survey organizations about their feedback practices. Nonprofit organizations can fill out the How We Listen section of their Candid profile to receive a rating.
Learn more about the methodology.
Analysis and Research
Like the overall Encompass Rating System, the Culture & Community Beacon is designed to evolve as metrics are developed and ready for integration. Below you can find more information about the metrics we currently evaluate in this beacon and their relevance to nonprofit performance.
Constituent Feedback
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
