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Northwest Employment Education and Defense Fund

EIN 06-1669649 · Portland, OR

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceGood89 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE LEGAL EDUCATION & ADVOCACY TO LOW-WAGE WORKERS, COMMUNITY AND LEGAL ADVOCATES ABOUT DISCRIMINATION, WAGE AND HOUR VIOLATIONS, AND OTHER EMPLOYMENT MATTERS.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
27.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
21
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$118,245, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 27.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 43% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $1.1 million spent. NORTHWEST EMPLOYMENT EDUCATION AND DEFENSE FUND, DBA NORTHWEST WORKERS' JUSTICE PROJECT (NWJP) IS A NONPROFIT 501(C)(3) PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATION THAT SEEKS SUPPORT FROM FOUNDATIONS AND INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS TO ENHANCE RESPECT FOR THE WORKPLACE RIGHTS OF LOW WAGE, IMMIGRANT, AND CONTINGENT WORKERS AND TO IMPROVE ACCESS OF SUCH WORKERS TO THE LEGAL SYSTEM TO ENFORCE THEIR RIGHTS. NWJP IS AFFILIATED WITH NWJP ACTION FUND, A 501(C)(4) ORGANIZATION THAT CONDUCTS RESEARCH AND LOBBYING ACTIVITIES. NWJP AND NWJP ACTION FUND (COLLECTIVELY, THE ORGANIZATION) CONDUCT THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS:- DIRECT REPRESENTATION OF LOW WAGE WORKERS IN LEGAL MATTERS THAT INVOLVE THEIR WORKPLACE RIGHTS. IN 2021 THE ORGANIZATION LAUNCHED THE "SOUTHERN OREGON WORKER JUSTICE PROJECT" IN COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS IN THE MEDFORD AREA TO PROVIDE LEGAL SUPPORT, EDUCATION, AND REPRESENTATION FOR WORKPLACE EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE.- EDUCATION OF WORKERS, WORKER REPRESENTATIVES AND ADVOCATES, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF LOW WAGE WORKERS AND THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY THEM.- ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO INCREASE THE PARTICIPATION OF PRIVATE AND PUBLICLY FUNDED ATTORNEYS IN THE REPRESENTATION OF LOW WAGE WORKERS IN EMPLOYMENT MATTERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2004.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.