Equal Justice Initiative

Analysis

Equal Justice Initiative is a registered charity in United States, based in Montgomery, AL. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in April 1995, 31 years ago. Its declared purposes cover civil rights, social action and advocacy, which this site groups under human rights and equality. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending September 2023, Equal Justice Initiative reported income of $67.3m and spending of $55.1m, spending 82% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2019 to September 2023, income grew from $35.4m to $67.3m (+90%), an average of +17% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2020, when income rose by 511%. Over the whole period it spent 39% of the income it received.

Among 9,611 United States charities whose main cause is human rights and equality and that reported income, Equal Justice Initiative sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile, and in the 100th percentile within AL. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include National Center for Missing and Exploited Children ($65.2m), Christian Advocates Serving Evangelism Inc ($67.9m) and FJC ($62.3m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending September 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 89% and program service revenue 4.3% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $142k (0.3% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $9.5m. At year end it held assets of $427.8m against liabilities of $9.3m, net assets of $418.5m. It reported 222 employees.