This is the best foundation out there advocating for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and Child abuse. Mariska Hargitay founded this foundation and has nothing but respect a caring for the victims. JHF is a nonprofit that is honest and respectable.
Review from Guidestar
While this non-profit appears to serve a very deserving need, their CEO Maile Zambuto (highest paid officer/employee for 2011) received $89,000 more in pay/compensation (total) than the hightest paid officer/employee for 2011 for RAINN, acccording to their 990 reports submitted in 2012. And RAINN's efficiency is higher. I posed some questions recently about this and other concerning matters on their Facebook page several times, but have not received a response yet. Their constant trips (CEO and other East Coast employees) to Hawaii also are of concern, since it appears much of this work could be done via teleconference and webinar. There is indication that the CEO apparently has family/personal ties to Hawaii, too, which makes the constant trips and meetings there only more of concern. Finally, I did NOT note that they reveal their forms 990s, financial audits and pie charts on their main website, www.joyfulheartfoundation.org, like many other reputable non-profits do (such as RAINN). Incredibly, even though they have had many requests that they allow volunteers, they do not use volunteers even for non-critical work, like other non-profits who do the same type work.
The JHF has been near and dear to my heart from the moment I discovered it. Mariska has used her celebrity in the most positive way possible- to bring help to others. I was so affected by the cases and the way these women are able to pick themselves up so well, that I've now made it my life mission to prosecute these cases. Sexual assault is a very serious and underreported crime, and it is because of the JHF that many victims are gaining the courage to get the help they need.