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Justice Catalyst Inc

EIN 81-4316506 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak42 out of 100GovernanceGood77 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

JUSTICE CATALYST TAKES ON SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES THAT FALL BETWEEN THE CRACKS OF TRADITIONAL ADVOCACY MODELS. BY CONNECTING ADVOCATES WITH DIVERSE SPECIALTIES AND APPLYING A CROSS-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO THE LAW, JUSTICE CATALYST DEVELOPS NEW, PATH-BREAKING APPROACHES TO ENSURE THAT THE LAW SERVES THE PUBLIC INTEREST.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$5.0 million
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
0
Volunteers
3

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

Weak: 42 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 90% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 81% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
  1. $5.0 million spent. JUSTICE CATALYST, INC. LEVERAGES LEGAL CREATIVITY AND EXPERTISE TO ADDRESS INJUSTICES. JUSTICE CATALYST PROVIDES SUPPORT TO INNOVATIVE LEGAL IDEAS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST BY SUPPORTING, ADVISING, AND FOSTERING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, FIRMS WORKING IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, LAW STUDENTS, GOVERNMENT LAWYERS, ACADEMICS, AND ADVOCATES. JUSTICE CATALYST COLLABORATES WITH AND TRAINS NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO LEVERAGE THEIR EXPERTISE, POSITION, AND MEMBERSHIP TO INITIATE WORK THAT ADVANCES THEIR MISSIONS, AND WORKS WITH VARIOUS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ON DEVELOPING THEIR CAPACITY FOR INNOVATIVE LEGAL WORK, AND WITH NEW NONPROFIT SOCIAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS TO AID THEIR FORMATION. JUSTICE CATALYST MADE A GRANT TO SUPPORT A NONPROFIT PROGRAM THAT FUNDS PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION.

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 May 2017.

    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.