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Justice for Families Ltd

EIN 45-2625169 · Bronx, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A national network of family leaders, Justice for Families empowers families and trains youth justice stakeholders to transform lives and end youth incarceration.

Income
$538,896
Spending
$551,783
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
4
Volunteers
110
Highest pay
$117,149, 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: 47 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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. $135,076 spent. Training & Technical Assistance: Justice for Families (J4F) provides training & technical tssistance to both directly impacted families and youth justice system professionals. This program strengthens family capacity to advocate for systemic change and equips professionals with tools to engage communities meaningfully. To date, we have trained nearly 2,000 family members and 8,000 system professionals across the country. Key training components include the Family Leadership Institute (FLI), Community Peer Navigator Training and Systems Professionals Training. In 2024, 25 new family advocates completed the FLI in Indianapolis, IN, 6 individuals completer a virtual 2-day training, 7 others completed an in person, advocacy-focused training.
  2. $116,292 spent. Justice Reinvestment: Our Justice Reinvestment initiative redirects resources into the hands of communities most harmed by carceral systems. This includes supporting peer navigators, grassroots organizations, and community centered services that promote healing, stability, and leadership. In 2024, this iniatitive supported community peer navigators providing family-centered advocacy, support, and wraparound services, culturally responsive intergenerational programming, annual community events, healing arts, wellness workshops Bridges to the Land is a holistic justice initiative connecting environmental justice, land stewardship, and ancestral healing. J4F is working to repair systemic harm and invest in sustainable solutions.
  3. $128,021 spent. Youth & Family Engagement: A cornerstone of J4Fs mission and a year round practice rooted in cultural relevance, lived experience, and collective power. We not only support families through challenges and difficult times, but we also mobilize them, especially those directly impacted by youth justice, child welfare, and criminal legal systems to lead as voters, advocates, organizers, and decision-makers. In 2024, J4F facilitated voter registration drives, town halls, and legislative visits to Albany, civic learning events that demystify government processes and connect community members to urgent policy issues, youth and family-centered education sessions that are accessible, real-life oriented, and intergenerational. Partnerships with organizations such as the Childrens Defense Fund-NY J-MAC for Families, RISE, and the NYC Office of the Public Advocate to host forums, amplify policy advocacy, and train youth civic educators. Our team reflects the communities we serve, we are able to build trust- based, culturally grounded relationships that foster lasting civic leadership and action. For J4F, engagement is more than participation, it is a pathway to reclaiming voice, power, and community self-determination.

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 October 2011.

    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.