Restorative Justice Institute
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Form 990 Part III Line 1 - Organization MissionOur experience of racial reconciliation is that it is contextual, communal, creative, and justice-oriented. Each event, cohort, training, and tour The Center leads is framed through the lens of violence, resistance, and resilience. Through this framework, our purpose is to create and mobilize reconciling communities both locally and nationally. The aim for each program is to facilitate dialogue and use interactive exercises as a core element of the offerings. Our programs are designed to introduce participants to the deceptive and destructive effects of racism in our lives and the body of Christ, and present opportunities to learn and experience the work of racial justice within a biblical framework. Through our guest speakers and interactive events, participants are introduced to diverse theological perspectives and encouraged to engage these perspectives in their everyday practices. Participants are surrounded by both learners and reconc
- Income
- $512,299
- Spending
- $515,184
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 5.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 80%
- Employees
- 0
- Highest pay
- $100,000, 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
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 28% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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
Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 8 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (3)
- $337,002 spent. Form 990 Part III Line 4c - Immersive Learning Experiences (ILE)Inspired by Bryan Stevensons call to get proximate, The Center offers immersive learning experiences: the Southern Civil Rights Tour (SCRT), High School SCRT, Asian American Civil Rights Tour, and the Pasadena Civil Rights Excursion.-Initiation: SCRT launched in 2017; additional tours developed subsequently. -Execution: Led by trained guides, community leaders, and scholars, these experiences take place across historical sites in the Southern region of the United States, California including Berkeley, San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, and Pasadena.-Purpose: Participants explore hidden histories of racial resistance and resilience, connect past injustices to present policies, and recognize racism as a spiritual evil necessitating repentance and justice.-Expansion: The Center is developing additional immersive learning experiences focused on other racial and ethnic groups.
- $43,879 spent. Form 990 Part III Line 4a - Racial Reconciliation Workshops 1.0 & 2.0The workshops create a space where participants engage through conversation, experiences, and learning. Christ calls us to curate a common memory that articulates how systemic injustice and unrepentant sin distort Christian ethics and discipleship, obstructing justice and communion. -Initiation: These workshops have been conducted since 2017. -Execution: They are conducted by trained facilitators in churches and community centers across Pasadena and beyond. -Purpose: Workshop 1.0 examines systemic oppression, historical impacts, and racial identity in faith communities, introducing lament as a spiritual discipline. Workshop 2.0 delves deeper into cultural and systemic racism and the theology and practice of reconciliation. -Methodology: Utilizing scripture, history, experiential learning, and practical exercises, these workshops empower participants to engage in reconciling communities.
- $3,038 spent. Form 990 Part III Line 4b - Community Cohorts Reconcile Pasadena fosters community-driven racial justice work through contextual, communal, and creative engagement. -Initiation: Established in 2022. -Execution: Hosted in Pasadena, the cohorts focus on education, housing, faith, immigration and policing. -Purpose: To empower faith communities and local leaders with tools to pursue justice collectively.-Impact: The cohorts have influenced churches, non-profits and individuals to engage within their local government and communities and have contributed to policy discussions on housing and education.
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 May 2023.
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.