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Economic Justice Institute Inc

EIN 39-1200952 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ECONOMIC JUSTICE INSTITUTE IS HOME TO UW LAW SCHOOL'S FIVE CIVIL, ANTI-POVERTY CLINICAL PROGRAMS. OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH A SIGNIFICANT LEARNING EXPERIENCE IN WHICH THEY DEVELOP INTO SKILLED LEGAL PROFESSIONALS AND ENGAGED PUBLIC CITIZENS.

Income
$732,701
Spending
$449,212
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
6.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 97%
Employees
3
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$107,888, employee

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 86% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 76 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (2)
  1. $345,048 spent. LIFT WISCONSIN (FORMERLY LIFT DANE) IS A JOINT VENTURE WITH LEGAL ACTION OF WISCONSIN AND EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ASSOCIATION OF DANE COUNTY. THE PROJECT IS BUILDING THE TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE WORKERS WITH EASY ACCESS TO PUBLIC DATA AND SERVICES TO HELP ELIMINATE LEGAL BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT AND OPPORTUNITY.
  2. $33,815 spent. CLINICAL LAW PROGRAMS - THE ECONOMIC JUSTICE INSTITUTE, INC. (EJI INC) CONTINUED TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE UW LAW SCHOOL CLINICAL PROGRAMS AS IT HAS DONE FOR MANY YEARS. PROGRAM HAS 5 CLINICS - CONSUMER LAW CLINIC, FAMILY COURT CLINIC, IMMIGRANT JUSTICE CLINIC, NEIGHBORHOOD LAW CLINIC, AND VOCA RETRAINING ORDER CLINIC. CLINICALS PROVIDE HANDS-ON LAWYERING EXPERIENCES WITH REAL PEOPLE--CLIENTS, VICTIMS, WITNESSES, FAMILY MEMBERS, LAWYERS, AND JUDGES--AND GIVES LAW STUDENTS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A LAWYER. UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION OF CLINICAL PROFESSORS OR SUPERVISING ATTORNEYS, STUDENTS MEET WITH CLIENTS, PERFORM FACTUAL INVESTIGATIONS, RESEARCH LEGAL ISSUES, PREPARE CLIENT LETTERS, DRAFT LEGAL DOCUMENTS, AND WRITE BRIEFS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1974.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

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