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Nijc NFP

EIN 93-3878636 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) is a leader in advancing immigrant rights through its unique strategy drawing on its legal services to promote legal reform through litigation, advocacy and strategic communications.

Income
$22.1 million
Spending
$16.3 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
8.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
204
Volunteers
2,600
Highest pay
$136,038, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 169% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 12 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 June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $14.0 million spent. NIJC is a national organization headquartered in Chicago, IL, with a Washington, DC team and offices in Goshen and Indianapolis, IN, and San Diego, CA. NIJC provides legal services to low-income noncitizens who are generally at or below 200 percent of the poverty line, including unaccompanied immigrant children, refugees, asylum seekers, immigrant families at risk of separation, survivors of torture and human trafficking, LGBTQ individuals, detained immigrants, and individuals with mental and physical health conditions. NIJC's legal services include providing legal information, conducting comprehensive legal screenings, representing noncitizens in their legal cases, seeking legal status and employment authorization. NIJC operates an immigration court help desk, which provides a critical resource to unrepresented immigrants in removal proceedings. Building on its direct service work, NIJC pursues legal reform to protect access to justice and the due process rights of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. NIJC strategically litigates in the courts laws and practices that violate the human rights of noncitizens. NIJC also educates key stakeholders and the public on immigration policies and practices through policy analysis, report writing, and educating policymakers and the public. NIJC's goal is to promote access to justice, advance human rights, and preserve family and community integrity. Accomplishments: NIJC staff have extensive legal expertise and achieve high rates of success. NIJC collaborates with a wide group of partners, including universities, community organizations, social service providers, schools, and grassroots organizations, and leverages a network of approximately 2,400 pro bono partners to provide legal services to more than 11,000 immigrants annually. Given NIJC's legal expertise, NIJC trains legal aid organizations and pro bono attorneys. Through the immigration court helpdesk, NIJC identifies and responds to emergencies, explains legal options that help immigrants make informed decisions. Last year, nearly 1,400 individuals were granted relief, and more than 1,000 individuals were granted employment authorization. NIJC maintained a success rate of approximately 98% in cases adjudicated. With legal status and/or work authorizations, these individuals can provide for their families and are on the path towards stability and safety. NIJC regularly presents to the community, schools, social service organizations, and domestic violence groups. NIJC has developed Know Your Rights materials and other FAQs and factsheets. These are particularly important as immigration law frequently changes. NIJC, along with its partners, challenges court decisions, policies and practices that violate the due process and human rights of immigrants. NIJC's litigation team often wins relief for its clients and secures changes in the law and/or secures settlements for the plaintiffs. NIJC educates the public and policymakers through research, reports, presentations, and the media.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 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 February 2024.

    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.