Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Justice Action Center

EIN 83-3991239 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Justice Action Center JAC pilots an innovative model that advances the rights of immigrant communities by connecting cutting-edge impact litigation and compelling narrative and communications content. The purpose of JAC is to advance the civil and human rights of immigrants in the United States through a combination of impact litigation, communication and digital strategies, and providing related support to select partner nonprofit organizations that have immigrant members or provide direct legal services to immigrant communities.

Income
$4.3 million
Spending
$3.2 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
9.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
17
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$298,462, executive dir.

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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 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 (2)
  1. $2.0 million spent. Impact Litigation: Justice Action Center JAC uses litigation and storytelling to advocate for unseen and overlooked issues faced by immigrants. We ensure the richness and diversity of the immigrant experience is heard both inside and outside the courtroom. Impact legislation is an important tool to advance the rights of immigrants. JAC litigates a select number of cases designed to address unmet needs of immigrant communities. JAC also provides legal expertise and litigates directly with providers of direct legal services to immigrants or other litigators on civil rights issues impacting immigrants. The cases on JAC's docket are primarily in federal court, but JAC will litigate in select state courts as necessary to produce optimal results for immigrant communities.
  2. $787,685 spent. Communications: Justice Action Center's JAC model depends on placing equal emphasis on storytelling and litigation. We recognize that winning a lawsuit alone will not lead to the systemic change we seek. We strive to build a new framework that uses litigation and narrative work to tangibly improve immigrants' lives. JAC produces original communications and digital content focused on the immigrant experience and perspectives. Our storytelling work is designed to strive to tangibly improve immigrants' lives and is rooted in the notion that transformative change will only occur when dominant narratives about immigration and belonging shift. These shifts are part of a broader ecosystem of work JAC seeks to participate in that ecosystem by using the microphone provided by litigation to center and uplift immigrant stories.

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

  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 December 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 October 2019.

    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.