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Equal Justice Initiative

EIN 63-1135091 · Montgomery, AL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

REFER TO SCHEDULE O.

Income
$73.4 million
Spending
$52.1 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
51.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 81%
Employees
234
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$210,859, deputy director of legacy sites

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 51.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 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

    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 September 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 (3)
  1. $12.0 million spent. EJI PROVIDED DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES TO HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE IN 2024 WHO WERE WRONGLY CONVICTED, UNFAIRLY SENTENCED OR ILLEGALLY PROSECUTED. WE WON SEVERAL RULINGS THAT ADVANCED THE RULE OF LAW AND PROTECTED VULNERABLE PEOPLE FROM UNJUST TREATMENT. WE LITIGATED IN STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND ALSO PROVIDED AID TO DOZENS OF FORMERLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE WHO WE HELPED WIN FREEDOM THROUGH RE-ENTRY SERVICES AND SUPPORT.
  2. $28.3 million spent. IN 2024, EJI WELCOMED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VISITORS TO THE LEGACY SITES: THE LEGACY MUSEUM, THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE, AND FREEDOM MONUMENT SCULPTURE PARK. THE LEGACY SITES OFFER VISITORS A POWERFUL EXPERIENCE TO CONFRONT OUR NATION'S HISTORY OF RACIAL INJUSTICE AND THE LEGACY OF SLAVERY. WE ERECTED NEW HISTORICAL MARKERS IN SEVERAL STATES. WE PUBLISHED EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND OUR HISTORY OF RACIAL INJUSTICE CALENDARS WHICH HAVE BEEN WIDELY DISSEMINATED AND VIEWED BY THOUSANDS. WE CONTINUED OUR COMMUNITY REMEMBRANCE PROJECT AND PROVIDED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
  3. $9.4 million spent. OUR ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVE CONTINUES TO OFFER LIFE-CHANGING SUPPORT TO THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES IN ALABAMA. OUR HEALTH CLINIC PROVIDES HIGH QUALITY CARE AT NO COST TO UNINSURED PATIENTS, AND OUR ANTI-HUNGER PROGRAM FIGHTS FOOD INSECURITY BY PROVIDING DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR FOOD AND ESSENTIAL ITEMS TO LOW-INCOME PEOPLE IN ALABAMA.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 September 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 April 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 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.