Warehouse Workers Justice Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Warehouse Workers for Justice is a worker center fighting for stable, living-wage jobs in warehouses and distribution centers. We educate workers about labor rights, teach folks how to enforce their rights, organize in the workplace and community and fight for public and private
- Income
- $1.5 million
- Spending
- $1.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 71%
- Reserves
- -1.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 100%
- Employees
- 13
- Highest pay
- $84,575, executive director
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
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 170% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 20% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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
Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $1.0 million spent. WWJ has supported workers organizing for safer workplaces, higher pay, an end to sexual harassment, and respect on the job. WWJC held ongoing beginning and advanced training programs on: Health and Safety Organizing to enforce Workplace Rights Your Legal Rights in the Workplace Stopping Sexual Harrassment Criminal Background Checks: Know Your Rights Communicating our Story to the Public Understanding the Global Supply Chain Since 2009 WWJ has won: Over $2 million in recovered stolen wages Warehouse employers and temp agencies use a range of schemes to cheat workers out of their pay. WWJ takes action to fight abuses such as missing hours, short checks, illegal paycheck deductions and fees, unpaid showup pay, payroll card abuses, unpaid overtime, payroll card abuses and more. Over $10 million in wage increases When WWJ opened its doors, warehouse wages averaged $9/hour. Through protests, strikes, petitions, community delegations, public outcry and organizing, WWJ has successfully raised wages in key facilities in the Chicago distribution hub. While some wage rates are still below the $15/h workers deserve, these improvements show that when workers organize, things get better. Paid sick days for temp workers. When warehouse workers get sick or need to care for an ill loved one, they are often punished. For temp workers, paid time off is unheard of. But with support from WWJ, temp workers in the import supply chain of a major retailer united their coworkers and forced their employer to offer paid sick days. An end to the piece rate system in large retail distribution centersWhen WWJ began operation in 2009, warehouse operators commonly paid workers using a piecerate system. This scheme, often called production pay, involved paying a team of two workers a set amount for unloading a shipping container. Over time, this rate was lowered to the point where a workers pay was often less than minimum wage. In addition, workers were not paid time between unloading containers. Through legal tactics and organizing, WWJ successfully eliminated this practice in the largest warehouses in the Chicago distribution hub. Reinstatement of dozens of workers unjustly fired Most warehouse workers have little job security. But WWJ has worked to win reinstatement for workers who are unfairly fired. We have successfully won jobs back for workers fired for retaliation for speaking up about sexual harassment or safety abuses, as well as workers fired discriminatorily or in retaliation for exercising their right to organize. WWJ assists workers in asserting their legal rights to seek justice when fired unjustly.? Safety improvements in large retail distribution centers Workers shouldnt have to risk death or serious injury so that retailers can continue to make money. Unfortunately, warehouse work is still among the most dangerous jobs in the US. WWJ has won many safety improvements in Chicago area warehouses, including replaces storage racks, new dock plates, heating and cooling systems, better safety equipment, enhanced training and more. In addition, WWJ works closely with OSHA officials to ensure legal compliance in area warehouses.
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
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.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on November 15, 2024 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2024.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Worth knowing.
Recognized by the IRS in January 2026. It is too new to have a track record.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.