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Counsel for Justice

EIN 95-3998111 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CFJ promotes access to justice for underserved communities seeking to assert their legal rights. Our pro bono-based projects bridge the gap for underserved communities seeking safety, stability, and justice. CFJ engages volunteer attorneys to provide legal services, empowering people with knowledge and support to effectively navigate legal challenges.

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
59%
Reserves
5.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 67%
Employees
28
Volunteers
142
Highest pay
$197,793, 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

Fair: 67 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    59% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    31 of 31 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, 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 (4)
  1. $704,047 spent. Immigration Legal Assistance Project - Counsel for Justice provided free immigration legal services in approximately 4,000 cases in 2025, including self-help services, limited-scope assistance, and attorney representation. The project assisted low-income immigrants in Los Angeles County with immigration applications, legal information, document preparation, and representation in appropriate cases. These services helped clients pursue lawful status, work authorization, family stability, and protection from harm. Outcomes included lawful permanent resident approvals, work authorizations, green card renewals, replacement citizenship documents, advance parole applications, and FOIA requests.
  2. $449,758 spent. Domestic Violence Project - Counsel for Justice provided free legal services to survivors of domestic violence through its courthouse-based restraining order clinic. In 2025, the project assisted 1,692 people by helping survivors understand their legal options, prepare restraining order applications, and seek court orders to protect their safety, housing, children, and stability. Services were provided by staff and volunteer attorneys, with support focused on helping survivors make informed choices, present their experiences clearly and request appropriate legal protections.
  3. $281,705 spent. Housing Project - Counsel for Justice provided free legal services in 184 housing cases in 2025, many involving veterans facing eviction or other housing instability in Los Angeles County. Services included attorney representation and a courthouse-based self-help Answer clinic that helped tenants respond to unlawful detainer complaints, prepare court forms, understand the eviction process, and participate more effectively in court proceedings. These services helped tenants protect their housing stability and avoid losing cases because of procedural barriers.
  4. $131,275 spent. Veterans Legal Services Project - Counsel for Justice provided free legal services to veterans in Los Angeles County to resolve legal barriers related to California criminal records and outstanding traffic citations. In 2025, the project assisted 51 veterans and helped resolve 128 record-clearing matters, including expungements and traffic citation issues. These services helped veterans reduce barriers to employment, housing, financial stability, and self-sufficiency.

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 November 1985.

    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.