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Worker Justice Center of New York Inc

EIN 16-1155130 · Rochester, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Worker Justice Center of New York, Inc. (WJCNY) pusues juistice for those denied hian rights, with a focus on agricultural and other low-wage workers, through legal representation, community empowerment and advocacy for institutional change.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.4 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
5.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 54%
Employees
25
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$60,375, former executive director

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: 68 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 44% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 46% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 90 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $1.5 million spent. Legal Services and Outreach: Our advocates build trust and cultivate connections among vulnerable workers and their communities. We educate around 5,000 agricultural workers and workers in low-wage industries each year on their legal rights and empower workers in exercising those rights or in accessing programs or benefits, serving an average of 1,000-1,500 annually. We focus on marginalized communities that otherwise lack meaningful access to essential services and legal resources. We provide access to justice exploited and abused workers, hold bad actors accountable for their actions, and engage in strategic litigation to advance workers' rights. We focus on wage and hour violations, civil human trafficking litigation, workplace health and safety standards, agricultural worker protections, illegal discrimination and retaliation claims, violations of guestworker program regulations, farmworker housing issues, and immigration remedies for exploited and abused workers. This program is primarily supported by contributions.
  2. $237,353 spent. Survivor Services for Human Trafficking and Domestic and Sexual Violence: We work side-by-side with survivors of human trafficking and domestic and sexual violence to achieve safety and self-determination, as well as on a limited basis with survivors of domestic and sexual violeance. We focus on providing trauma-informed services that are client-centered from start to finish, ensuring access to appropriate support services and high-quality legal assistance. We investigate and interrupt human trafficking schemes, while working to transform the culture of the anti-trafficking field by leading victim-centered training programs for service providers and law enforcement. Our human trafficking specialists work closelt with law enforcement and our legal team to hold perpetrators accountable and to support trafficking survivors on their path to self-determination. This program is primarily supported by contributions.
  3. $180,007 spent. Advocacy: We partner with worker centers and organizations to build power for vulnerable workers, address the root causes of workplace injustice, and advance public policies that strengthen the legal rights and protections of workers. This program is primarily supported by contributions.

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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1981.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.