Council on Criminal Justice Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The council on criminal justice works to advance understanding of the criminal justice policy choices facing the nation and builds consensus for solutions that enhance safety and justice for all. Independent and nonpartisan, we are an invitational membership organization and think tank, serving as a center of gravity and incubator of policy and leadership for the criminal justice field. Harnessing the experience and vision of the nation's top experts, innovators, and influencerS, we are a catalyst for progress based on facts, evidence and fundamental principles of justice. above all, the council is founded on the belief that a fair and effective criminal justice system is essential to democracy and a core measure of our nation's well-being.
- Income
- $3.0 million
- Spending
- $5.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 5.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 91%
- Employees
- 25
- Highest pay
- $199,631, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 74% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 25% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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 December 31, 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)
- $2.9 million spent. policy: During 2025, the council facilitated expert task forces, produced analyses, and convened experts on critical issues in criminal justice policy. Policy projects included: Veterans justice commission, women's justice commission, task force on artificial intelligence.
- $760,588 spent. general membership: The Council nominated, vetted, and elected new members in 2025, growing its representation of leaders, thinkers, and influencers from across the criminal justice and policy fields. Most notably, the COuncil hosted its tri-annual member Summit in September 2025.
- $540,404 spent. research: The Council conducted, commissioned, and published a variety of stand-alone research products in 2025, including a variety of pieces on crime trends.
- $296,129 spent. task forces: During 2024, the Council on Criminal Justice facilitated expert task forces, produced analyses, and convened experts on critical issues in criminal justice policy: Veterans Justice Commission, Crime Trends Working Group, Womens Justice Commission, artificial intelligence.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
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 December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2019.
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.