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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: September 2025 Expires: September 2027

Brennan Center for Justice

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
6 7
(646) 292-8310
120 Broadway, Suite 1750
New York, NY, 10271
https://www.brennancenter.org
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Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Brennan Center for Justice does not meet the following 2 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

BCJ does not meet this Standard because:

  • The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

BCJ does not meet this Standard because:

  • The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.

Brennan Center for Justice meets the remaining 18 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to work to reform, revitalize, and when necessary, defend our country’s systems of democracy and justice."

Year, State Incorporated:
1995, NY

The Brennan Center for Justice (BCJ) focuses on democracy reform, criminal justice reform, securing the balance of power, and protecting fundamental freedoms. BCJ reports that its model – part think tank, part advocacy group, and part communications hub – drives the organization in advancing legal and policy change. The organization conducts research to identify problems and craft solutions, advocates in court and works with elected officials to advance legislation, and shapes opinion by taking its message directly to the press and public. BCJ's program services seek to protect voting rights; ensure free and fair elections; balance civil liberties with national security; defend the rule of law; and advance meaningful criminal justice reform.

For the year ended June 30, 2024, Brennan Center for Justice's program expenses were:

Democracy: $22,372,753

Justice: $3,062,125

Liberty and national security: $3,781,802

Communications: $11,122,563

Fellows program: $1,157,352

Public policy and advocacy: $735,260

Total Program Expenses: $42,231,855

Chief Executive
Michael Waldman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$676,258

Chair of the Board
Kimberly D. Harris

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Executive Vice President and General Counsel, NBCUniversal

Board Size
29

Paid Staff Size
182

*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Note: The co-chair of the board of directors is Christine A. Varney, Partner, Swaine & Moore, LLP.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio

Fundraising costs were 10% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $51,068,877, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Brennan Center for Justice's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024.

Source of Funds
In-kind contributions $5,559,474
Grants, net $21,927,727
Contributions $28,433,076
Special events, net $708,074
Legal fees reimbursement $983,093
Investment total return $24,607,410
Total Income $82,218,854

Programs: 76% Fundraising: 9% Administrative: 15%

Total Income $82,218,854
Total expenses: $55,675,205
  Program expenses $42,231,855
  Fundraising expenses $4,897,746
  Administrative expenses $8,545,604
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $26,543,649
Beginning Net Assets $240,565,364
Other Changes In Net Assets $-268,399
Ending Net Assets $266,840,614
Total Liabilities $46,713,492
Total Assets $313,554,106

Note 1: According to the organization's audited financial statements -consolidated- for the year ended June 30, 2024 , BCJ received in-kind service contributions totaling $5,559,474.

Note 2: In the above finanical section, "other changes in net assets" represents loss on disposal of furniture and equipment.

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance