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Dc Justice Lab

EIN 84-3479025 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak28 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DC JUSTICE LAB IS A TEAM OF LAW AND POLICY EXPERTS RESEARCHING, ORGANIZING, AND ADVOCATING FOR LARGE-SCALE CHANGES TO THE DISTRICT'S CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM. WE DEVELOP SMARTER SAFETY SOLUTIONS THAT ARE EVIDENCE-DRIVEN, COMMUNITY-ROOTED, AND RACIALLY JUST. WE AIM TO FULLY TRANSFORM THE DISTRICT'S APPROACH TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND MAKE IT A NATIONAL LEADER IN JUSTICE REFORM.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
-0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
17
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$189,432, executive director

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: 28 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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 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 (3)
  1. $573,715 spent. ADVOCACY:WE LED EFFORTS TO ADVANCE REFORMS THAT PROMOTE ECONOMIC MOBILITY, WELLNESS, AND ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM IN DC. THIS INCLUDES REFORMS TO IMPROVE FOOD QUALITY IN JAILS, STRENGTHEN OVERSIGHT OF LOCAL JAILS, AND EXPAND ACCESS TO RECORD SEALING AND EXPUNGEMENT.
  2. $490,420 spent. RESEARCH: WE PUBLISHED AND CURATED LEADING-EDGE RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS THROUGH THE DC JUSTICE LIBRARY TO EQUIP COMMUNITY MEMBERS, ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERS, AND DECISION-MAKERS WITH THE INFORMATION AND TOOLS TO UNDERSTAND AND TRANSFORM D.C.'S CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM.
  3. $252,951 spent. TRAINING. WE TRAINED AND SUPPORTED 14 EMERGING MOVEMENT LAWYERS THROUGH OUR FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM AND ANNUAL POLICY ADVOCACY COMPETITION. WE ALSO GRADUATED A SECOND COHORT OF 13 POLICY TRAINING ACADEMY PARTICIPANTS, PROVIDING EXPANDED SUPPORT AND DEDICATED OFFICE HOURS TO HELP THEM ADVANCE THE POLICY SOLUTIONS THEY DEVELOPED.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2020.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

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