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Social Justice Collaborative

EIN 45-5556421 · Berkeley, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SOCIAL JUSTICE COLLABORATIVE IS CALIFORNIAS LEADING PROVIDER OF COMPASSIONATE FULL SCOPE DEPORTATION DEFENSE LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW INCOME NON-CITIZENS IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL CALIFORNIA. WE BOLDLY PROVIDE POST-CONVITION RELIEF TO INDIVIDUALS

Income
$4.5 million
Spending
$4.1 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
7.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 62%
Employees
26
Highest pay
$128,750, legal 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 62% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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, 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 (1)
  1. $3.4 million spent. SJCS REMOVAL DEFENSE INITIATIVE IS ONE OF THE FEW FULL SCOPE REMOVAL DEFENSE PROGRAMS IN THE NATION. IT PROVIDES REMOVAL DEFENSE LEGAL SERVICES FOR ALL LOW INCOME NON-CITIZENS IN THE BAY AREA AND CENTRAL VALLEY WHO HAVE SOME FORM OF VIABLE RELIEF AVAILABLE. THE PROGRAM UTILIZES STAFF ATTORNEYS TO SCREEN ELKIGIBLE CANDIDATES, BOTH IN IMMIGRATION DETENTION AND OUT FOR POTENTIAL RELIEF, BOND OPPORTUNITIES, DEFENSES TO DEPORTATION, AND THEN PROVIDES HIGH QUALITY FULL SCOPE DEFENSE FORM START TO FINISH. STAFF ATTORNEYS AT SJC HAVE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY TO MANAGE REMOVAL CASE LOADS, ATTEND IMMIGRATION HEARINGS AND WORK DIRECTLY WITH CLIENTS AND THIER FAMILIES. PARALEGALS AND LEGAL ASSITANTS ARE CGARED WITH WORKING DIRECTLY WITH ATTORNEYS AND CLIENTS TO WORKUP CASES. SJCS REMOVAL DEFENSE PROGRAM ALSO VALUES COMPASSIONATE REPRESENTATION WHICH SEEKS TO INCLUDE WRAP AROUND SERVICE REFERRALS, CLINIC PROVISIONS OF BENEFIT, AND REGULAR REFERRAL TO MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDORS FOR EVALUATION AND ONGOING THERAPY. IN 2019, SJC PROVIDED LEGAL ASSITANCE TO OVER 1,200 INDIVIDUALS AND REPRESENTED 600 FAMILIES AT NO COST IN THEIR IMMIGRATION MATTERS WHILE CLOSING OVER 200 LEGAL CASES TO SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION.

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 September 2012.

    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.

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