Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by ABOLITIONIST LAW CENTER.

Totals

Total revenue: $4,097,199
Total expenses: $3,293,790
Contributions and grants received: $3,313,312
Grants paid: $144,000
Program service revenue: $695,888
Investment income: $82,543
Other revenue: $5,456
Total assets, end of year: $3,858,228
Total liabilities, end of year: $56,986
Net assets or fund balances, end of year: $3,801,242
Program services expenses (Part IX): $1,978,899
Management and general expenses: $1,119,030
Fundraising expenses: $195,861
Program service expenses (Part III): $1,978,899

Program services were 60.1% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

$3,313,312
2a · Program service revenue: LEGAL FEES

total $695,888 · related or exempt $695,888
3 · Investment income

total $71,916 · excluded $71,916
7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

securities $70,049
7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

securities $59,422
7c · Gain or loss

securities $10,627
7d · Net gain or loss

total $10,627 · related or exempt $10,627
11a · Other revenue: OTHER INCOME

total $5,456 · related or exempt $5,456
11e · Other revenue, total

$5,456

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

total $144,000 · program services $144,000
5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

total $307,712 · program services $121,239 · management and general $135,216 · fundraising $51,257
7 · Other salaries and wages

total $1,249,708 · program services $890,561 · management and general $286,976 · fundraising $72,171
9 · Other employee benefits

total $197,342 · program services $109,258 · management and general $75,157 · fundraising $12,927
10 · Payroll taxes

total $119,503 · program services $77,054 · management and general $32,940 · fundraising $9,509
11b · Fees: legal

total $292,367 · program services $158,937 · management and general $128,384 · fundraising $5,046
11c · Fees: accounting

total $26,234 · management and general $26,234
11d · Fees: lobbying

total $4,165 · program services $4,109 · management and general $56
12 · Advertising and promotion

total $48,188 · program services $39,304 · management and general $6,893 · fundraising $1,991
13 · Office expenses

total $52,140 · program services $26,507 · management and general $19,001 · fundraising $6,632
14 · Information technology

total $20,381 · program services $11,163 · management and general $6,988 · fundraising $2,230
16 · Occupancy

total $31,896 · program services $16,406 · management and general $11,230 · fundraising $4,260
17 · Travel

total $63,830 · program services $40,115 · management and general $10,218 · fundraising $13,497
19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

total $37,352 · program services $25,662 · management and general $1,165 · fundraising $10,525
22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

total $1,679 · management and general $1,679
23 · Insurance

total $8,472 · program services $4,321 · management and general $3,050 · fundraising $1,101
24a · Other expenses: CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION

total $301,332 · management and general $301,332
24b · Other expenses: ORGANIZING PROGRAM CONT

total $251,364 · program services $251,364
24c · Other expenses: PROFESSIONAL FEES

total $78,359 · program services $48,546 · management and general $28,215 · fundraising $1,598
24d · Other expenses: BAD DEBTS

total $35,000 · management and general $35,000
24e · All other expenses

total $22,766 · program services $10,353 · management and general $9,296 · fundraising $3,117

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

beginning of year $519,018 · end of year $1,081,788
2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

beginning of year $600,052 · end of year $444,025
3 · Pledges and grants receivable

beginning of year $627,206 · end of year $1,358,103
4 · Accounts receivable

beginning of year $45,512 · end of year $46,733
9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

beginning of year $151,045 · end of year $15,818
10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

$20,703
10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

$9,229
10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

beginning of year $13,153 · end of year $11,474
12 · Investments: other securities

beginning of year $1,057,102 · end of year $890,547
15 · Other assets

beginning of year $12,035 · end of year $9,740
17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

beginning of year $20,696 · end of year $36,986
25 · Other liabilities

beginning of year $25,000 · end of year $20,000
27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

beginning of year $2,396,712 · end of year $3,087,019
28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

beginning of year $582,715 · end of year $714,223

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

LEGAL SERVICES & PUBLIC INTEREST LAW.

Activities or mission (Part I)

THE ABOLITIONIST LAW CENTER EXISTS TO PROMOTE THE RIGHTS OF PRISONERS AND THE WRONGLY-CONVICTED BY EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT INJUSTICES IN THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM AND ABOUT ABUSIVE CONDITIONS IN THE PRISON SYSTEM; TO PROVIDE PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES TO PRISONERS IN ORDER TO RIGHT INJUSTICES AND ERRORS COMMITTED IN THE COURTS, AND TO LITIGATE THE NON-FRIVOLOUS CLAIMS OF PRISONERS ALLEGING VIOLATIONS OF THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS WHILE IN PRISON; TO ADVOCATE FOR THE RADICAL REFORMATION OF THE PRISON SYSTEM, WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF TAX EXEMPTION UNDER SECTION 501(C)3 AND 501(H) OF THE CODE.THE PUBLIC HAS AN INTEREST IN ENSURING THAT ITS PRISON SYSTEM IS OPERATED WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF CONSTITUTIONAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS LAW AND THAT THE BROADER CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM IS REFORMED.

SOLITARY CONFINEMENT - THIS PROGRAM IS AIMED AT HOLDING PRISON OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE ILLEGAL AND INHUMANE ABUSE OF SOLITARY CONFINEMENT, AND ULTIMATELY ABOLISHING THE PRACTICE ENTIRELY. OUR WORK HERE IS CONCENTRATED ON LITIGATING CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUITS FOR PRISONERS WHO HAVE BEEN ABUSED BY BEING HELD IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT. WE HAD SEVEN CASES DURING 2024.

Expenses $131,837
RELEASE FROM PRISON PROGRAM - THIS PROGRAM IS AIMED AT FREEING PRISONERS THROUGH THE USE OF POST CONVICTION PETITIONS AND RESENTENCING. THE PUBLIC HAS AN INTEREST IN ENSURING THAT INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT HELD IN PRISON, ESPECIALLY WHERE THOSE INDIVIDUALS HAVE HAD THEIR RIGHTS SEVERELY VIOLATED BY THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM. WE HAD EIGHT CASES CURRENTLY BEING LITIGATED AS PART OF THIS PROGRAM.

Expenses $379,481 · Grants $101,000
ENVIRONMENTAL & HEALTH RIGHTS - THIS PROGRAM AIMS TO EXPOSE THE DANGEROUSLY POOR HEALTHCARE IN THE PRISONS, AND TO FORCE PRISON AUTHORITIES TO IMPROVE IT. IT ALSO AIMS TO SHUTDOWN PRISONS THAT ARE BUILT IN AREAS THAT EXPOSE PRISONERS TO ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS THAT NEGATIVELY IMPACT THEIR HEALTH. OUR WORK HERE IS FOCUSED ON AN INVESTIGATION OF A PRISON BUILT NEXT TO A COAL ASH DUMP, CONTESTING THE SUFFICIENCY OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR A PROPOSED PRISON IN KENTUCKY, WORKING TO GET HEPATITIS C POSITIVE PRISONERS CURED, AND WORKING TO IMPROVE HEALTH CONDITIONS AT THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY JAIL. WE HAD NINE CASES LITIGATED AS PART OF THIS PROGRAM.

Expenses $30,934
POLITICAL RIGHTS - THIS PROGRAM AIMS TO PROTECT AND BROADEN THE SPEECH RIGHTS OF PRISONERS AND THE MOVEMENT TO END MASS INCARCERATION. NO CASES WERE LITIGATED IN THIS PROGRAM DURING 2024.

Expenses $169,585 · Grants $21,500
MOVEMENT SUPPORT & EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS - THIS PROGRAM IS AIMED AT SUPPORTING THE GROWTH OF THE MOVEMENT TO END MASS INCARCERATION BY PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND PRESENTATIONS, AND BY ASSISTING AND DEFENDING ORGANIZERS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE PART OF THAT MOVEMENT. WE HAVE FOUR CASES CURRENTLY BEING LITIGATED AS PART OF THIS PROGRAM.

Expenses $436,566 · Grants $21,500 · Revenue $16,083
COURT WATCH PROGRAM - THIS PROGRAM IS AIMED AT OBSERVING AND EVALUATING THE JUSTICE FOR DIFFERENT TRENDS AND PATTERNS. IT ALSO IS USED TO HIGHLIGHT THE PROBLEMS DEMOGRAPHICS AND OVERPOPULATION PLAY IN THE ROLE OF MASS INCARCERATION. REPORTS THAT ARE SUPPLIED INCLUDE VARIOUS DATA SUCH AS BAIL, PROBATION, STIPULATIONS, SERVICES, CHARGING DECISIONS AND DEMOGRAPCHICS.

Expenses $519,013 · Revenue $695,888
FISCAL SPONSORSHIPS PROGRAMS - SPONSORING PROGRAMS BY PROVIDING FIDUCIARY AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICS TOP HELP THEM BUILD CAPACITY.

Expenses $299,052
HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAM - BUILDS INNOVATIVE CHALLENGES TO U.S. STATE VIOLENCE DOMESTICALLY AND ABROAD THROUGH LITIGATION AND ADVOCACY. UTILIZING AN ABOLITIONIST FRAMEWORK DEDICATED TO BUILDING THE STRENGTH OF POPULAR MOVEMENTS TO REDISTRIBUTE POWER IN SUPPORT OF HUMAN NEEDS INSTEAD OF STATE VIOLENCE AND CORPORATE PROFIT, WE LINK THE LOCAL TO THE GLOBAL IN CONCEPT AND PRACTICE, INCREASING THE CAPACITY OF MOVEMENT PARTNERS AND CONTRIBUTING TO OUR COLLECTIVE INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC INFRASTRUCTURE, RESPONSE, AND REACH.

Expenses $12,431

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

Jamelia MorganJAMELIA MORGAN

PRESIDENT

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

2
Jules LobelJULES LOBEL

VICE PRESIDENT

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

2
Anita ColonANITA COLON

TREASURER

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
Jihad AbdulmumitJIHAD ABDULMUMIT

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
Lisa FreelandLISA FREELAND

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
Carl Redwood JrCARL REDWOOD JR

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
Kempis Ghani SongsterKEMPIS GHANI SONGSTER

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
Rukia LumumbaRUKIA LUMUMBA

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
Ashley JimenezASHLEY JIMENEZ

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
Alissa DepiroALISSA DEPIRO

SECRETARY/FINANCE DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$86,620

From this org

$86,620

From related orgs

$0

Other

$0

Hours/week

40
Bret GroteBRET GROTE

LEGAL DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$110,340

From this org

$110,340

From related orgs

$0

Other

$0

Hours/week

40
Robert HolbrookROBERT HOLBROOK

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$115,812

From this org

$115,812

From related orgs

$0

Other

$0

Hours/week

40

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those.

Grants on this return

JOIN FREEWORLD INC

$100,000

SUPPORTING GRANTEE'S PROJECT TO TRAIN FORMERLY INCARCERATED ADVOCATES FOR THEIR COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE.
THE PENNFRANCHISE PROJECT

$20,000

SUPPORTING GRANTEE'S WORK ADVOCATING FOR INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT SUPPORT DECARCERATION, AND RACIAL JUSTICE.
THE PENNFRANCHISE PROJECT

$20,000

SUPPORT A STAFF POSITION DEDICATED TO CONVENING THE STILL WE RISE FREEDOM COALITION.

Provenance

Return type: form_990
Tax year: 2024
Filed: 12 November 2025
IRS schema version: 2024v5.2
Source object: 202513169349304296

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