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Citizens for Community Justice Inc

EIN 34-1798973 · Bloomington, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak21 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Envisioning a fair community that learns from conflict, prevents harm, and grows in understanding, the Community Justice & Mediation Center's (CJAM) mission is to promote a civil and just community through mediation, education, and restorative justice. CJAM accomplishes its mission by leveraging the time and talents of community members who serve as volunteer mediators and facilitators, office support staff, interns, and board committee members.

Income
$103,218
Spending
$136,971
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 51%
Employees
4
Volunteers
70
Highest pay
$50,000, 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

Weak: 21 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 96% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 33% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 43% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • 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. $36,700 spent. Restorative Justice: CJAM provided restorative processes to 138 clients (youths, adults and family members) through the Victim and Offender Restoration Program (VORP) and Shoplifting and Theft Education Program (STEP). Both programs provide education, accountability, and reflection aimed at reducing harms caused by crime and lowering rates of recidivism. In VORP, CJAM works with clients (offenders) and their victims. 80 clients were served and 65% of offenders successfully completed the program. STEP targets first-time offenders who have been charged with theft or shoplifting. 58 individuals were served and 70% successfully completed the program. Clients are primarily referred by the Monroe County (MC) Prosecutor's office, and the MC Probation Department.
  2. $61,166 spent. Mediation: CJAM provided free or very low-cost mediation services to 1090 clients in the following areas: conflicts involving landlords-tenants, neighbors/hoods, families, roommates, organizational/workplace disputes, and consumer/contractual disputes. Trained CJAM volunteer mediators worked to provide safe spaces for constructive conversations,helping parties reach agreements that best meet their individual needs. CJAM also provided mediation each week during small claims and eviction court (544 cases) with 70% of all mediated cases reaching agreement. In addition, CJAM provided conflict coaching and referrals (111). CJAM continued to work closely with Monroe County courts and the Eviction Prevention Project to provide mediation services each week during eviction and small claims courts
  3. $24,466 spent. Conflict Resolution, Facilitation, Mediation and Restorative Justice Training: CJAM provides two professional trainings per year for basic mediation and restorative justice. This training prepares community members, college students, and local professionals to utilize conflict resolution skills and mediation in their communities. This training also readies its graduates to become community mediators for CJAM programs. The training is taught by CJAM staff. CJAM also provides training and consultation to organizations, businesses, and groups. These trainings range across the different skills and processes that are within conflict resolution, mediation, and restorative justice. In addition to training, CJAM offers facilitation processes and consultation. We served 175 clients through training and facilitation.

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 October 13, 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 June 1995.

    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 October 21, 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.