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Center for Public Justice

EIN 51-0153566 · Alexandria, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE CENTER FOR PUBLIC JUSTICE IS TO SERVE GOD, ADVANCE JUSTICE, AND TRANSFORM PUBLIC LIFE AS WE SEEK TO EQUIP CITIZENS, DEVELOP LEADERS, AND SHAPE POLICY.

Income
$5.0 million
Spending
$3.5 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
-0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
12
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$173,237, ceo

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

Fair: 65 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 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 (12)
  1. $1.7 million spent. THE FAIRNESS FUND WORKS TO SIMULTANEOULY UPHOLD RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND CIVIL RIGHTS PROTECTIONS IN STATE AND FEDERAL LAW.
  2. $311,229 spent. THE INSTITUTIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ALLIANCE PROMOTES GOVERNMENT POLICIES, PUBLIC ATTITUDES, AND ORGANIZATIONAL BEST PRACTICES THAT SAFEGUARD INSTITUTIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM SO THAT FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS CAN MAKE THEIR VITAL AND UNCOMMON CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMON GOOD.
  3. $164,150 spent. FAMILY & CAREGIVING POLICY SEEKS TO HONOR THE GOD-GIVEN VOCATION OF FAMILIES BY PROMOTING POLICIES AND WORKPLACE PRACTICES THAT ENABLE CHILD WELL-BEING AND FAMILY FLOURISHING.
  4. $103,954 spent. STUDENTS & EARLY CAREER PROGRAMS EDUCATE AND EQUIP STUDENTS AND EARLY CAREER PROFESSIONALS FOR UPHOLDING PUBLIC JUSTICE.
  5. $325,730 spent. EQUIPPING MINISTRIES FELLOWSHIP IS CPJS CAPACITY- BUILDING INITIATIVE FOR HISPANIC-LED MINISTRY ORGANIZATIONS.
  6. $30,938 spent. THE FAITH-BASED POLICY & RESEARCH PROGRAM CONDUCTS RESEARCH AND EDUCATES THE PUBLIC AND OFFICIALS.
  7. $156,977 spent. PREACHING REFORMED EDUCATES AND EQUIPS PASTORS.
  8. $74,672 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS
  9. STUDENTS & EARLY CAREER PROGRAMS EDUCATE AND EQUIP STUDENTS 103954. 0. 0.
  10. EQUIPPING MINISTRIES FELLOWSHIP IS CPJS CAPACITY- 325730. 27200. 0.
  11. THE FAITH-BASED POLICY & RESEARCH PROGRAM CONDUCTS RESEARCH AND 30938. 0. 0.
  12. PREACHING REFORMED EDUCATES AND EQUIPS PASTORS. 156977. 0. 13350.

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

  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 June 2025.

    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 July 1975.

    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.