Open books, honest ministry.
If we ask you to give in Jesus’ name, you should be able to see exactly where it goes.
The paperwork, in one place.
Agape Freedom Fighters is a registered 501(c)(3), EIN 47-2856847, with a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator. Here is what we file and what governs us.
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IRS Form 990s
Our annual federal filings — income, spending, and compensation, as reported to the IRS. Every year we have filed is posted publicly, going back to 2016.
View our 990 filings on ProPublica Or look us up at the IRS by EIN - 02
Whistleblower Policy
Drafted and pending board adoption. It protects anyone who reports a concern in good faith from retaliation. We will post it here once the board votes.
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Records Retention Policy
Drafted and pending board adoption. It sets what we keep, how long we keep it, and how records are destroyed. We will post it here once the board votes.
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Conflict of Interest Policy
Adopted by resolution of the Board of Directors on September 27, 2018. It governs what happens when a decision in front of the board could benefit someone sitting at the table. Read it in full below.
The IRS letter, in plain terms.
The IRS granted Agape Freedom Fighters 501(c)(3) status in a determination letter dated January 28, 2015. Here is what that letter actually says. You do not have to take our word for any of it.
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Employer Identification Number
Our EIN is 47-2856847. That number is the key to every public record about us.
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Effective date of exemption
January 8, 2015. Gifts made on or after that date are deductible under IRC Section 170.
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Public charity, not a private foundation
The IRS classified us under Section 509(a)(2), which means the bulk of our support comes from the people we serve and from donors like you rather than a single endowment.
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We are required to file every year
Form 990 is not optional for us. Miss three years in a row and exemption is revoked automatically. Our filings are linked above.
Verify our status directly with the IRS
A copy of the determination letter is available on request, as federal law requires.
Conflict of Interest Policy
Adopted by resolution of the Board of Directors on September 27, 2018. It governs what happens when a decision in front of the board could put money in the pocket of someone sitting at the table. All decisions and management of Agape Freedom Fighters are governed by the Board of Directors.
Purpose
The policy protects the interests of the Organization when it is considering a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer or director, or might result in a possible excess benefit transaction. It supplements, and does not replace, state and federal law governing conflicts of interest for nonprofit and charitable organizations.
Who counts as an interested person
Any director, principal officer, or member of a committee with governing board-delegated powers who has a direct or indirect financial interest.
A person has a financial interest if, directly or indirectly, through business, investment, or family, they have an ownership or investment interest in an entity the Organization transacts with; a compensation arrangement with the Organization or with any entity or individual the Organization transacts with; or a potential ownership, investment, or compensation interest in any entity the Organization is negotiating with. Compensation includes gifts and favors that are not insubstantial.
A financial interest is not automatically a conflict. It becomes one only if the board or committee decides it is.
Duty to disclose, and how a conflict is decided
An interested person must disclose the financial interest and all material facts to the board or committee considering the transaction.
After disclosure and any discussion, that person leaves the meeting while the question of whether a conflict exists is discussed and voted on. The remaining members decide.
How a conflict is handled
The interested person may make a presentation, then leaves the meeting for the discussion and the vote.
The chair may appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives. After due diligence, the board determines whether a more advantageous arrangement is reasonably available from someone who would not create a conflict.
If no better conflict-free arrangement is reasonably possible, a majority of the disinterested directors decides whether the transaction is in the Organization's best interest and whether it is fair and reasonable, and votes on whether to proceed.
Violations
If the board has reasonable cause to believe a member failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict, it informs the member of the basis for that belief and gives them a chance to explain.
If, after hearing the response and investigating as warranted, the board determines the member failed to disclose, it takes appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.
What goes in the minutes
Minutes must record the names of those who disclosed or were found to have a financial interest, the nature of that interest, any action taken to determine whether a conflict was present, and the board's decision.
They must also record who was present for the discussion and votes, the content of the discussion including alternatives considered, and a record of any votes taken.
Compensation
A voting board member who receives compensation from the Organization for services cannot vote on matters pertaining to their own compensation. The same applies to a voting member of any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters.
Members who receive compensation are not barred from providing information to a committee about compensation.
Annual statements and periodic reviews
Every director, principal officer, and member of a committee with board-delegated powers signs an annual statement affirming that they have received the policy, have read and understand it, have agreed to comply, and understand that the Organization must engage primarily in activities that accomplish its tax-exempt purposes in order to keep its exemption.
Periodic reviews cover whether compensation and benefits are reasonable based on competent survey information and arm's-length bargaining, and whether partnerships, joint ventures, and management arrangements conform to written policy, are properly recorded, reflect reasonable payment for goods and services, further charitable purposes, and do not result in inurement, impermissible private benefit, or an excess benefit transaction.
The Organization may use outside advisors for these reviews. Doing so does not relieve the board of its responsibility to ensure the reviews happen.
Vulnerable Adult and Child Safeguarding Policy
Adopted January 3, 2025. Last reviewed June 5, 2025. Next review at the January 2026 board meeting. We minister in churches on two continents, so this policy runs on two tracks: the United Kingdom and the United States. Wherever we serve, we work under the safeguarding policy of the church hosting us.
If someone is in immediate danger, call the emergency services first.
United Kingdom: 999. United States: 911. Get medical help if it is needed. Report to us afterward.
For anything else, at an event Agape Freedom Fighters hosts, report it within 24 hours to our Missions Director, Kylee Simonton, at [email protected]. When we are guests of another church or ministry, report to that church's safeguarding officer, whose name and number are given to every team member on arrival.
Our commitment
Agape Freedom Fighters is committed to the safeguarding, care, and nurturing of all children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We believe every person has a value and dignity that comes directly from being made in God's image. As Christians we are called to live in God's justice and to protect all people from harm.
That means promoting a safer environment and culture for all; recruiting and supporting safely everyone with responsibility for children, young people, and vulnerable adults; responding promptly to every concern or allegation; caring pastorally for victims and survivors of abuse and others affected; caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations; and responding to anyone who may pose a present risk to others.
We follow the safeguarding policies of the churches and ministries we serve, using the safeguarding reporter on the church site as the training and reporting agent.
Who and what this covers
It applies to all Ministry Officers, including clergy, paid staff, and volunteers, whatever their role or level of responsibility. It applies to all ministry activities, events, and services, on church premises or off-site, and to any location where church-related activity takes place.
Child or young person: anyone under 18.
Vulnerable adult: a person 18 or over who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age, illness, or other situation, and who is or may be unable to care for themselves or protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation. This includes those whose ability to protect themselves is significantly impaired through reduced physical, mental, or emotional capacity, or through life events such as bereavement or previous abuse and trauma.
The forms abuse takes
Physical: assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, shaking, misuse of medication, restraint, inappropriate sanctions.
Sexual: rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, inappropriate sexualized behavior.
Emotional and psychological: intimidation, threats, humiliation, bullying, controlling behavior, verbal abuse, isolation, neglect of emotional needs.
Neglect: ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to health, social care, or educational services, withholding necessities such as food or heating, and self-neglect.
Financial and material: theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure over wills, property, or inheritance, misuse of property, possessions, or benefits.
Discriminatory: harassment, slurs, or similar treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Organizational: neglect and poor care practice within an institution or care setting, or in care provided in someone's own home.
Modern slavery: slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour, human trafficking.
Domestic abuse: any incident or pattern of controlling, coercive, or threatening behavior, violence, or abuse between people aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.
Core principles
The welfare of the child, young person, and vulnerable adult is paramount. Where there is any perceived or potential conflict of interest, their welfare takes precedence.
We hold to integrity, respect, and listening to all, so that every person's dignity and rights are recognised and their voices are heard. We operate transparently and openly. Every Church Officer is accountable for their actions and for adherence to this policy. We work with the police and local authority social care, and we use professional safeguarding advice from inside and outside the Church. We work to prevent abuse before it happens, manage risk actively, promote a culture where everyone knows how to respond, and review our practice regularly.
If someone discloses abuse to you
Do: listen carefully and calmly. Take what is said seriously. Use only open questions to clarify: who, what, when, where, how. Reassure the person that they did the right thing by telling you. Explain that you will need to share it with the safeguarding officer to keep them safe. Write down what was said, in the person's own words where you can, as soon as possible afterward, with the date, time, and location. Sign and date your record.
Do not: promise confidentiality, because you will have to report it. Do not make assumptions or offer alternative explanations. Do not investigate it yourself. Do not contact the person the allegation is about. Do not carry out a physical or medical examination. Do not ask leading questions.
Reporting — United Kingdom
Report every suspicion, concern, knowledge, or allegation immediately, and within 24 hours, to the Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) of the church we are serving. The PSO's name, phone number, and email are given to the ministry team at each church location on arrival.
If the PSO is unavailable, or the concern is about the PSO, report to the Incumbent or Rector, or to the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA).
The PSO or Incumbent assesses the information and, if it meets the threshold for referral, reports it to the relevant Local Authority Children's Social Care or Adult Social Care and to the police without delay.
Vetting for regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults follows the House of Bishops' safeguarding policy and practice guidance, the Scottish Episcopal Church's guidelines, or the Church in Wales' Provincial Safeguarding Policy, including enhanced DBS checks in England and Wales and PVG Scheme checks in Scotland.
Police emergency: 999. Police non-emergency: 101.
Reporting — United States
In the United States our teams serve under the mandatory reporter of the host church or ministry, whose phone number and email address are given to the team for each mission trip.
At an event Agape Freedom Fighters hosts, the mandatory reporter is our Missions Director, Kylee Simonton. Report within 24 hours to [email protected].
Where a referral meets the threshold, it goes to the relevant state Child Protective Services or Adult Protective Services and to law enforcement without delay. Reporting duties follow federal law, including the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, and the mandatory reporting law of the state we are serving in.
Emergency: 911.
Safer recruitment, pastoral care, and managing risk
We select and vet everyone with responsibility for children, young people, and vulnerable adults using comprehensive application forms, interviews that explore safeguarding awareness, satisfactory references, criminal record checks for regulated activity, thorough induction and ongoing training, regular supervision and support, and a clear code of conduct.
We offer sensitive and informed pastoral care to anyone who has suffered abuse, whenever and wherever it occurred, including help accessing specialist care from church or secular agencies. We also offer pastoral care, supervision, and referral to the proper authorities for any member of our community known to have offended, while prioritising the safety of all parties.
Where someone may pose a risk, a written safeguarding agreement is put in place and reviewed regularly in consultation with the safeguarding adviser and statutory agencies, with clear boundaries, supervision, and monitoring.
Information sharing, records, and review
Safeguarding information is treated with the utmost sensitivity and confidentiality, and shared only on a need-to-know basis in line with data protection law and safeguarding best practice. It is shared with statutory authorities where there are concerns about the safety or welfare of a child, young person, or vulnerable adult, or where a criminal offence may have been committed.
All safeguarding work is recorded in line with House of Bishops' guidance or United States law enforcement safeguarding practice guidance. Records are kept securely and confidentially.
This policy is reviewed annually, or sooner if legislation, national church guidance, or local circumstances change. Implementation is monitored, and lessons from any concern or incident are folded back into policy and practice.
Training every team member completes
Everyone on staff and every volunteer with direct or indirect contact with vulnerable adults and children completes our safeguarding curriculum, whatever the ministry setting.
It covers safeguarding and your role; recognising the types of abuse and neglect and their signs, indicators, and effects; responding to concerns and disclosures, including reporting routes, mandatory reporting duties, record keeping, and whistleblowing; professional boundaries, safer recruitment, code of conduct, and online safety; and a closing review and assessment.
Training is delivered as a mix of online modules, in-person workshops, and scenario work, tailored to the setting, with refresher training on a regular cycle. Trainers are experienced safeguarding professionals.
Support lines, United Kingdom
Police emergency 999. Police non-emergency 101.
NSPCC 0808 800 5000. Childline 0800 1111. Samaritans 116 123. Age UK 0800 678 1602. Victim Support 0808 168 9111.
Safe Spaces, the independent support service for survivors of church-related abuse: 0300 303 1056, safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk.
Church of England safeguarding: churchofengland.org/safeguarding. Scottish Episcopal Church: scotland.anglican.org. Church in Wales: churchinwales.org.uk safeguarding.
Support lines, United States
Emergency 911.
Children: Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-422-4453, available 24/7. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children 1-800-843-5678. National Runaway Safeline 1-800-786-2929. Bureau of Indian Affairs Indian Country Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-633-5155.
Adults: National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233, TTY 1-800-787-3224. RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673. StrongHearts Native Helpline 1-844-762-8483. Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116. National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888, or text HELP to 233733.
Victim services: VictimConnect Resource Center 1-855-484-2846. National Organization for Victim Assistance 1-800-879-6682. FBI Victim Services 1-866-365-4968. Department of Justice Crime Victims' Rights Ombudsman 877-574-9302.
The people responsible.
Rev. Joanne Moody is the ministry’s Founder & President. The full board roster and its disclosures are being published as part of our Charity Navigator work, and every name will be listed here as that finishes. We would rather show you an honest work-in-progress than a padded page.
Who we are, in one paragraph
Agape Freedom Fighters is a 501(c)(3) healing and evangelism ministry in Franklin, Tennessee. Founded in 2013 by Rev. Joanne Moody, it trains ordinary believers to pray for the sick and set captives free in the name of Jesus Christ.