Mississippi Center for Justice
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
MISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR JUSTICE IS A NONPROFIT, PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FIRM COMMITTED TO ADVANCING RACIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE. SUPPORTED AND STAFFED BY ATTORNEYS AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS, THE CENTER DEVELOPS AND PURSUES STRATEGIES TO COMBAT DISCRIMINATION AND POVERTY STATEWIDE.
- Income
- $4.1 million
- Spending
- $5.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 56%
- Reserves
- 11.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 77%
- Employees
- 47
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $290,965, president/ceo
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
Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 11.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 24% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1556% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $2.9 million spent. MCJ'S ADVOCACY, DIRECT SERVICES, POLICY, AND IMPACT LITIGATION CONTINUED ITS SIGNIFICANT AND SUSTAINABLE PROGRESS TOWARDS ADVANCING RACIAL, ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ACROSS MISSISSIPPI. THIS YEAR, MCJ SHOWED UP IN COMMUNITY 373 TIMES AND REACHED 38 OUT OF 82 COUNTIES WITH IN PERSON CLINICS, OUTREACH EVENTS AND FOCUS GROUPS MAKE AN IMPACT ON PEOPLE OF COLOR AND THOSE LIVING IN POVERTY IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. MCJ CONTINUES TO ADVOCATE FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION, EDUCATING ELECTED OFFICIALS AND MISSISSIPPIANS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE FOR NEARLY 200,000 UNINSURED MISSISSIPPIANS, MANY OF WHOM ARE WORKING. MCJ CONTINUES TO HELP MISSISSIPPIANS EXPUNGE THEIR CRIMINAL RECORDS, THEREBY UNLOCKING NEW EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES. IN THE LAST YEAR, MCJ HELPED GENERATE OVER 450 PETITIONS/ORDERS FOR EXPUNGEMENTS. MCJ SUCCESSFULLY CHALLENGED SB 2358, DEFEATING A LAW THAT ATTEMPTED TO LIMIT THE UNIVERSE OF THOSE WHO CAN HELP DISABLED VOTERS CAST ABSENTEE BALLOTS BY MAIL TO ELECTION OFFICIALS, POSTAL EMPLOYEES, FAMILY AND HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS, AND CAREGIVERS.MCJ'S CHALLENGE TO THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATIVE REDISTRICTING PLAN OF 2022 LED TO THE CREATION OF THREE NEW MAJORITY BLACK DISTRICTS.MCJ'S EDUCATION PROJECT REACHED OVER 100 FAMILIES IN MISSISSIPPI AND WORKS TO PROVIDE KNOW YOUR RIGHTS SEMINARS, ADVOCACY AND DIRECT REPRESENTATION TO FAMILIES IN EDUCATION MATTERS ACROSS THE STATE.MCJ PREVENTED OVER 80 FORECLOSURES AND PARTNERS WITH SEVERAL BANKS TO PRESENT INFORMATION, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND ADVICE TO FIRE TIME HOME BUYERS.
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
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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2002.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 21, 2026.
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