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Council for Court Excellence

EIN 52-1241825 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

COUNCIL FOR COURT EXCELLENCE'S (CCE'S) MISSION IS TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO CONDUCT RESEARCH, EDUCATE, AND ADVOCATE TO MAKE D.C.'S UNIQUE LEGAL SYSTEMS MORE JUST, EQUITABLE, AND ACCOUNTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
10.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
14
Volunteers
195
Highest pay
$153,741, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 51% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% 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: 90 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    181 of 181 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

    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 (5)
  1. $627,745 spent. CRIMINAL JUSTICE: CCE'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE RESEARCHES THE MOST IMPORTANT, URGENT ISSUES FACING D.C.'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM,RECOMMENDS POLICY AND PRACTICE REFORMS TO BENEFIT EVERYONE INVOLVED, AND ADVOCATES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THOSE CHANGES. THE COMMITTEE'S WORK HAS COVERED ISSUES AS VARIED AS DECARCERATION, POLICE OVERTIME, CRIMINAL RECORD SEALING, COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS OF SAFETY, BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT FOR RETURNING CITIZENS, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE JUSTICE-INVOLVED.
  2. $188,229 spent. YOUTH JUSTICE: THE YOUTH JUSTICE COMMITTEE WORKS TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR YOUTH IN WASHINGTON, D.C. INVOLVED IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE, CRIMINAL, AND CHILD WELFARE SYSTEMS. THIS COMMITTEE RESEARCHES AND ANALYZES LOCAL YOUTH JUSTICE ISSUES, PUBLISHES REPORTS DOCUMENTING ITS FINDINGS, AND ADVOCATES FOR CHANGES TO LOCAL JUVENILE JUSTICE LAWS, SYSTEMS, AND POLICIES. NOTABLE PAST PROJECTS INCLUDED: REFORM OF THE ABUSE AND NEGLECT SYSTEM, LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN FAMILY COURT, JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM AND SCHOOL DISCIPLINE, AMONG OTHERS.
  3. $176,740 spent. CIVIL JUSTICE: CCE'S CIVIL JUSTICE COMMITTEE FOCUSES ON CIVIL JUSTICE REFORM EFFORTS AND ISSUES RELATED TO THE EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION OFJUSTICE. NOTABLE PAST PROJECTS INCLUDE: JURY REFORM AND MODERNIZATION, PROBATE REFORM, CIVIL CASE DELAY REDUCTION, CREATING AND EVALUATING D.C.'S CENTRALIZED ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING PANEL, AND INCREASING PUBLIC ACCESS TO ELECTRONIC COURT RECORDS, AMONG OTHERS.
  4. $149,767 spent. JUSTICE EDUCATION
  5. $99,159 spent. COMMUNICATION AND OTHER SERVICES

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 March 1982.

    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.