Social Justice Learning Institute Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Social Justice Learning Institute (SJLI) is a California not-for-profit public benefit corporation dedicated to improving the education, health, and well-being of youth and communities of color. By empowering communities to enact social change through research training and community mobilization, SJLI works toward its vision of communities where individuals use their agency to improve each others lives.
- Income
- $6.5 million
- Spending
- $8.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 4.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 86%
- Employees
- 54
- Volunteers
- 300
- Highest pay
- $199,038, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 11% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 29% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 6 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
9 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (6)
- $5.0 million spent. Empowering Youth Through Education: SJLI uses education as a tool to empower youth of color to succeed as scholars, express themselves creatively and unlock their ability to transform their world. SJLI provides culturally relevant teaching, curriculum development and academic support through a social justice lens. SJLI provides tools and skills for youth to express themselves creatively and to take control of telling their own stories. SJLI creates pipelines for young men of color to pursue careers in the Allied Health and Medical fields. SJLI teaches youth to advocate for themselves and their communities. SJLI provides residents with knowledge to improve health outcomes for themselves and their community.
- $920,515 spent. Changing Systems: SJLI builds capacity for community members to identify and rectify injustice and to advocate for their needs at the city, county and state level. SJLI builds youth leaders and supports them in efforts to address issues impacting their communities. SJLI convenes a group of local community advocates to identify solutions for environmental and health disparities in Inglewood. SJLI anchors a coalition of residents, businesses, community and faith organizations advocating for housing justice for Inglewood. SJLI privileges the voice of community members, who inform and lead SJLIs research and advocacy efforts.
- $699,361 spent. Creating Thriving Communities: SJLI works to transform neighborhood conditions by improving access to affordable, healthy food and empowering residents with knowledge to create the changes that they want to see in their communities. SJLI grows and distributes high-quality produce in areas that lack access to affordable, healthy food. SJLI introduced and continues to manage the first farmers market in the city of Inglewood. SJLI teaches residents the importance of nutrition, education, and physical activity. SJLI also distributes free produce to community members with its food for Thought produce pick distribution.
- $125,533 spent. Social Justice Institute of Learning acts as a fiscal sponsor for "Fem the Future" whose mission is to build a fem-forward future through creating opportunities for young women and girls in music, arts, and education.
- Social Justice Learning Institute (SJLI) is a California not-for-profit public benefit corporation dedicated to improving the education, health, and well-being of youth and communities of color. By empowering communities to enact social change through research training and community mobilization, SJLI works toward its vision of communities where individuals use their agency to improve each others lives.
- SPECIAL PROJECTS:College Persistence and Alumni Programming To house that enhanced intentional programming for our alumni, the Special Projects Program Area was created with a team to support the SJLI alumni as they navigate years 18-25. SJLI began planning for more effective and impactful efforts to support Urban Scholars alumni on their journeys in college and the workforce by connecting them to resources related to academic success, tuition, and housing. During 2020-21, SJLI developed a staffing plan dedicated to college & career persistence and alumni supportive services that would roll out in the 2021-22 fiscal year. One of the Special Projects programs, Higher Pathways, ensures that our alumni successfully reach young adulthood. SJLI has been able to facilitate workshops and retreats focused on achieving educational, career and economic growth. SJLI has hosted monthly alumni meetings, created a book club, conducted life skills sessions (financial literacy, leasing vs owning, cooking demonstrations, etc.) and counseling sessions to help each young person develop a personal success action plan. SJLI collaborates with corporations and small businesses to host career panels, provide internships and other team building learning spaces. In June 2022, SJLI hosted the first Summer Bridge program for graduating seniors to attend a weeklong series of career and personal development workshops. This included: financial literacy, resume writing, mock interviews, applying for jobs, obtaining certifications, dress for success, communication and interpersonal skills and navigating through college. Participants left with a strong sense of self, increased soft and technical skills, knowledge on how to manage personal finances, and resources to support college and career advancement. JPMorgan Chases The Fellowship Initiative, which supports Black and Latino young mens academic success in a 3 year cohort model, is another program under the Special Projects Program Area. In FY 22, SJLI successfully completed year 2 with the current cohort of 38 students. This included Saturday Academy 3 Saturdays a month where students receive tutoring, leadership development and mentoring. In April 2022, the TFI team conducted the Southern CA college tour, taking the students to Cal State University and UC University campuses.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on November 15, 2011 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on March 15, 2013.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 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 June 2025.
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 July 2013.
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 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.