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Equal Justice USA Inc

EIN 26-1316408 · Silver Spring, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak41 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO TRANSFORM THE JUSTICE SYSTEM BY PROMOTING RESPONSES TO VIOLENCE THAT BREAK CYCLES OF TRAUMA. WE WORK AT THE INTERSECTION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND RACIAL JUSTICE TO ELEVATE HEALING AND SAFETY OVER RETRIBUTION, ADVANCE RACIAL EQUITY, AND MEET THE NEEDS OF SURVIVORS.

Income
$3.5 million
Spending
$7.9 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
2.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 74%
Employees
50
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$228,365, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 41 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 124% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 49% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    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, 2025, 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 (4)
  1. $877,225 spent. REPEALING THE DEATH PENALTY PROGRAMTHE DEATH PENALTY IS A MODERN-DAY RELIC OF LYNCHING THAT PROMOTES GROSS RACIAL DISPARITIES IN DETERMINING WHO LIVES AND DIES. FORTUNATELY, FOR THIS AND MANY OTHER REASONS, INCLUDING THE HORRIFIC RISK OF EXECUTING AN INNOCENT PERSON, THE DEATH PENALTY IN THE U.S. IS ON ITS WAY OUT. ELEVEN STATES HAVE ENDED THE DEATH PENALTY IN THE MODERN ERA, WITH EJUSA AND ITS STATE PARTNERS PLAYING A PROMINENT ROLE IN ACHIEVING EACH OF THESE SUCCESSES. EJUSA EDUCATES THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE DEATH PENALTY'S PROBLEMS; MOBILIZES OPPOSITION TO HIGH-PROFILE EXECUTIONS THAT ILLUMINATE SYSTEMIC RACISM, THE RISK OF WRONGFUL CONVICTION, OR OTHER INJUSTICES; TRAINS AND COACHES LOCAL ORGANIZERS AROUND THE COUNTRY; FOSTERS DIALOGUE ACROSS THE AISLE, WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE, AND OTHER UNLIKELY ALLIES; AND ADVOCATES FOR AN END TO THE DEATH PENALTY IN KEY STATES.
  2. $2.5 million spent. COMMUNITY SAFETY AND JUSTICEEJUSA EMPLOYS COMMUNITY ORGANIZING, ADVOCACY, COALITION BUILDING AND OTHER TACTICS TO BUILD COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS TO VIOLENCE THAT LESSEN THE U.S.'S DEPENDENCE ON OVER-POLICING AND INCARCERATION. THE PROGRAM EMPLOYS THE FOLLOWING STRATEGIES TO ADVANCE THIS GOAL: (1) POLICY ADVOCACY TO CREATE AND EXPAND FUNDING STREAMS FOR VIOLENCE PREVENTION ALTERNATIVES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT; (2) SYSTEMS CHANGE VIA ORGANIZING, ADVOCACY, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON THE GROUND IN KEY CITIES TO IMPLEMENT VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND HEALING APPROACHES ON THE GROUND; (3) CAPACITY BUILDING TO INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS THAT OFFER VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND HEALING PROGRAMMING IN LOCAL NEIGHBORHOODS, TO HELP THEM STRENGTHEN THEIR PROGRAMS, ACCESS MORE FUNDS, AND EXPAND THEIR REACH; AND (4) TRAUMA TRAINING AND CONSULTING WITH POLICE OFFICERS.
  3. $140,295 spent. NARRATIVE SHIFTING PROGRAMTO CREATE THE CLIMATE FOR NEW APPROACHES TO TAKE HOLD, EJUSA EDUCATES THE PUBLIC AND POLICYMAKERS ABOUT COMMUNITY-LED APPROACHES TO VIOLENCE PREVENTION, BRINGS MEDIA ATTENTION TO THE IMPACT AND SUCCESS OF THESE PROGRAMS, AND ELEVATES KEY VOICES THAT PUSH BACK ON THE CURRENT PUNITIVE NARRATIVE OF JUSTICE. IN NEWARK, NJ, BATON ROUGE, LA, AND OTHER CITIES, EJUSA ENGAGES IN PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS TO LIFT THE STORIES OF PEOPLE MOST AFFECTED BY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. EJUSA BUILDS ON THESE LOCAL STORIES - INCLUDING HOLDING NEWARK UP AS A NATIONAL MODEL FOR ADDRESSING VIOLENCE - TO CREATE A NATIONAL NARRATIVE THAT EMPHASIZES THE SUCCESS OF PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS VIOLENCE WHILE REDUCING RELIANCE ON POLICING AND MASS INCARCERATION. THIS NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM WORKS TO CHANGE FALSE NARRATIVES ABOUT VIOLENCE, RACE, AND TRAUMA WHILE LIFTING UP THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNITY-CENTERED, TRAUMA-INFORMED RESPONSES TO VIOLENCE THAT CENTER THE HEALING AND WELL-BEING OF THE MOST IMPACTED COMMUNITIES.
  4. $2.5 million spent. HEALING JUSTICE, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, AND RESEARCH AND EVALUATION

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.

    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 March 2008.

    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.