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Center for Death Penalty Litigation

EIN 56-1939274 · Durham, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE DIRECT REPRESENTATION TO THOSE ON DEATH ROW IN NORTH CAROLINA AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE CONSULTING, RESEARCH AND TRAINING SERVICES TO ATTORNEYS APPOINTED TO REPRESENT PERSONS FACING THE DEATH PENALTY IN NORTH CAROLINA.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
6.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 51%
Employees
22
Volunteers
29
Highest pay
$263,967, exec director 8ap

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

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    9 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 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 (4)
  1. $897,175 spent. THE CENTER PROVIDES LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO INDIVIDUALS CHARGED WITH OR CONVICTED OF CAPITAL CRIMES. THE CENTER ALSO CONSULTS WITH AND TRAINS ATTORNEYS APPOINTED TO REPRESENT PERSONS FACING THE DEATH PENALTY IN NORTH CAROLINA.
  2. $82,986 spent. THE CENTER SERVES AS A CLEARINGHOUSE OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE DEATH PENALTY IN NORTH CAROLINA, PROVIDING INFORMATION ON ISSUES AND CASES TO THE MEDIA, POLICY-MAKERS, ADVOCATES, ATTORNEYS, ACADEMICS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
  3. $992,240 spent. THE 8TH AMENDMENT PROJECT IS A FISCALLY SPONSORED PROJECT OF THE CENTER FOR DEATH PENALTY LITIGATION THAT COORDINATES THE NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO END THE DEATH PENALTY.
  4. $21,999 spent. THE ORGANIZATION SERVES AS A FISCAL SPONSOR FOR OTHER ENTITIES INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION AND REFORM.

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 December 1995.

    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.