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Demand Justice Initiative

EIN 86-3690047 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair55 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DEMAND JUSTICE INITIATIVE DJI SEEKS TO EDUCATE AND ENGAGE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF A FAIR AND INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY IN MAINTAINING A HEALTHY DEMOCRACY. CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O.

Income
$7.3 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
35.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
2
Highest pay
$186,752, editor in chief, balls striikes

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 35.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 68% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 59% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    0 of 25

    2 of 2 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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. $743,618 spent. AS PART OF ITS JUDICIAL ACCOUNTABILILTY WORK, DEMAND JUSTICE INITIATIVE HOSTS EVENTS AND PROGRAMMING TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ON NOTABLE RULINGS AND ON THE BACKGROUNDS OF CERTAIN JUDGES AT EVERY LEVEL OF THE JUDICIARY. THIS WORK LIFTS UP INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS IMPACTED BY JUDICIAL DECISIONS TO SHOW THE PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE CURRENT STATE OF FEDERAL JURISPRUDENCE. WE ALSO BRING TOGETHER EXPERTS TO DISCUSS TRANSPARENCY AND ETHICS CONCERNS RELATED TO THE FUNCTIONING OF THE JUDICIARY, INCLUDING THE ABILITY OF THE SUPREME COURT TO OPERATE WITHOUT ANY MEANINGFUL OVERSIGHT OR CHECKS ON POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.
  2. $625,098 spent. DEMAND JUSTICE INITIATIVE CONDUCTS A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES TO INCREASE THE PROFESSIONAL DIVERSITY ON STATE LOWER COURTS. THIS INCLUDES HOSTING THE JUDICIAL TRAINING AND MENTORSHIP INSTITUTE, A NONPARTISAN TRAINING PROGRAM AND LEADERSHIP SUMMIT FOR ASPIRING JUDICIAL CANDIDATES AT THE STATE LEVEL. THE INSTITUTE CONDUCTS A VARIETY OF PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING A YEAR-LONG MENTORSHIP PROGRAM AS WELL AS SHORTER EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS ON TOPICS PERTAINING TO THE STATE BENCH.
  3. $460,268 spent. BALLS STRIKES IS AN EDITORIALLY INDEPENDENT ONLINE PUBLICATION THAT PUBLISHES ORIGINAL COMMENTARY AND REPORTING ABOUT COURTS, THE JUDGES WHO PRESIDE OVER THEM, AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM THEY UPHOLD. BALLS STRIKES SEEKS TO HOLD COURTS, JUDGES, AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION ACCOUNTABLE TO FULFILL THEIR PROFESSED COMMITMENT TO THE CAUSE OF JUSTICE AND TO FACILITATE DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW TO MAKE THE LEGAL SYSTEM MORE TRANSPARENT AND FAIR.

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 December 2021.

    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.