Skip to content
Nonprofiteer
← N A A C P LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATIONAL FUND INC

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by N A A C P LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATIONAL FUND INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$75,675,969
Total expenses
$58,450,816
Contributions and grants received
$56,260,716
Grants paid
$4,927,508
Program service revenue
$1,532,175
Investment income
$18,136,437
Other revenue
-$253,359
Total assets, end of year
$426,136,160
Total liabilities, end of year
$10,958,577
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$415,177,583
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$40,247,005
Management and general expenses
$8,332,023
Fundraising expenses
$9,871,788
Program service expenses (Part III)
$40,247,005

Program services were 68.9% 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.

  • 1a · Federated campaigns

    $1,098,079

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $3,317,031

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $51,845,606

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $1,932,061

  • 2a · Program service revenue: COURT FEES

    total $972,678 · related or exempt $972,678

  • 2b · Program service revenue: FELLOWSHIP-PROGRAM REVENUE

    total $323,597 · related or exempt $323,597

  • 2c · Program service revenue: REGISTRATION FEES INCOME

    total $235,900 · related or exempt $235,900

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $8,469,277 · excluded $8,469,277

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $242,683,450

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $233,016,290

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $9,667,160

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $9,667,160 · excluded $9,667,160

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $206,850

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $3,317,031

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $460,209

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$253,359 · excluded -$253,359

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $769,706 · program services $769,706

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $4,157,802 · program services $4,157,802

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $2,800,626 · program services $1,676,332 · management and general $512,778 · fundraising $611,516

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $22,926,618 · program services $17,108,869 · management and general $2,768,886 · fundraising $3,048,863

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $1,313,202 · program services $944,664 · management and general $216,167 · fundraising $152,371

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $3,244,266 · program services $2,143,592 · management and general $598,099 · fundraising $502,575

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $1,799,276 · program services $1,300,262 · management and general $291,099 · fundraising $207,915

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $7,439,441 · program services $4,707,910 · management and general $254,044 · fundraising $2,477,487

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $128,883 · management and general $128,883

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $8,303 · program services $8,303

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $513,188 · fundraising $513,188

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $1,034,370 · management and general $1,034,370

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $1,040,125 · program services $95,282 · management and general $577,831 · fundraising $367,012

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $62,373 · program services $32,924 · fundraising $29,449

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $2,701,815 · program services $1,320,506 · management and general $372,771 · fundraising $1,008,538

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $877,810 · program services $542,926 · management and general $260,344 · fundraising $74,540

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $1,556,986 · program services $1,044,686 · management and general $352,112 · fundraising $160,188

  • 17 · Travel

    total $566,068 · program services $473,550 · management and general $67,838 · fundraising $24,680

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $2,737,568 · program services $2,465,832 · management and general $122,396 · fundraising $149,340

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $1,365,635 · program services $853,162 · management and general $358,021 · fundraising $154,452

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $303,255 · program services $188,329 · management and general $80,845 · fundraising $34,081

  • 24a · Other expenses: PHOTOS/PRESS RELEASE

    total $455,811 · program services $119,888 · management and general $3,500 · fundraising $332,423

  • 24b · Other expenses: BAD DEBT EXPENSES

    total $291,779 · program services $71,483 · management and general $217,809 · fundraising $2,487

  • 24c · Other expenses: BAR ASSOCIATION DUES/ME

    total $94,074 · program services $70,624 · management and general $19,015 · fundraising $4,435

  • 24d · Other expenses: LIBRARY

    total $54,079 · program services $52,302 · management and general $488 · fundraising $1,289

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $207,757 · program services $98,071 · management and general $94,727 · fundraising $14,959

  • 26 · Joint costs (an allocation of the lines above)

    total $420,971 · program services $256,936 · management and general $0 · fundraising $164,035

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $28,015,986 · end of year $1,307,967

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $12,113,791 · end of year $46,875,190

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $33,831,749 · end of year $30,197,381

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $542,903 · end of year $1,157,520

  • 7 · Other notes and loans receivable

    beginning of year $3,423 · end of year $3,423

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $22,250,406

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $8,792,813

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $12,954,783 · end of year $13,457,593

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $299,225,778 · end of year $325,729,419

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $6,703,906 · end of year $7,407,667

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $4,716,331 · end of year $6,222,893

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $4,448,408 · end of year $4,735,684

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $298,639,825 · end of year $304,615,789

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $85,587,755 · end of year $110,561,794

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

THE LEGAL DEFENSE FUND (LDF) IS AMERICA'S PREMIER LEGAL ORGANIZATION FIGHTING FOR RACIAL JUSTICE. USING THE POWER OF LAW, NARRATIVE, RESEARCH, AND PEOPLE, WE DEFEND AND ADVANCE THE FULL DIGNITY AND CITIZENSHIP OF BLACK PEOPLE IN AMERICA.

Activities or mission (Part I)

THE LEGAL DEFENSE FUND (LDF) IS AMERICA'S PREMIER LEGAL ORGANIZATION FIGHTING FOR RACIAL JUSTICE.

  • THE LEGAL PROGRAM PROVIDES LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN CONNECTION WITH CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS, INCLUDING EDUCATION EQUITY, POLITICAL PARTICIPATION, ECONOMIC JUSTICE, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

    Expenses $29,066,865 · Grants $769,706 · Revenue $1,532,175

  • THE THURGOOD MARSHALL INSTITUTE IS A MULTIDISCIPLINARY CENTER WITHIN THE NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATIONAL FUND, INC. THE INSTITUTE COMPLEMENTS LDF'S TRADITIONAL LITIGATION STRENGTHS AND BRINGS CRITICAL CAPABILITIES TO THE FIGHT FOR RACIAL JUSTICE, INCLUDING RESEARCH AND TARGETED ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS.

    Expenses $5,968,182

  • THE HERBERT LEHMAN PROGRAM OFFERS GRANTS, GENERALLY OF $3,000 ANNUALLY TO U.S. CITIZEN UNDERGRADUATES AND $15,000 ANNUALLY TO U.S. CITIZEN LAW STUDENTS. PREFERENCE IS GIVEN TO PERSONS WHO ARE ENTERING THE FIRST YEAR OF FULL-TIME STUDY.

    Expenses $5,211,958 · Grants $4,157,802

As filed on the 2023 return.

Listed in Part VII

  • William J Bynum

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 0.5 related
  • James E Castillo

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4 + 1 related
  • Robyn Coles

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 0.5 related
  • Leslie Cornfield

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 0.5 related
  • Gregory H Evans

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 0.5 related
  • Colleen Foster

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 0.5 related
  • Lisa Gilford

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 0.5 related
  • David E Kendall

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 0.5 related
  • Ronald Kirk

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 0.5 related
  • Michael R Klein

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 0.5 related
  • Kim Koopersmith

    CO-CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8 + 1 related
  • William E Lighten

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 0.5 related
  • Cecilia L Marshall

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 0.5 related
  • Janai Nelson

    PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR-COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $623,431
    From this org
    $533,669
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $89,762
    Hours/week
    59 + 1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $533,669
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $36,377
    Nontaxable benefits
    $53,385
    Filer's total
    $623,431
  • Cynthia Patton

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 0.5 related
  • Luis R Penalver

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 0.5 related
  • Steven B Pfeiffer

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4 + 1 related
  • Anne K Small

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 0.5 related
  • Jonathan Soros

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 0.5 related
  • John R Stephens

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 0.5 related
  • Angela Vallot

    CO-CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8 + 1 related
  • Ann Claire Williams

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 0.5 related
  • Ron Wilson

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 0.5 related
  • Kenji Yoshino

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 0.5 related
  • Tony West

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 0.5 related
  • Claude Johnson

    CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $392,496
    From this org
    $351,743
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $40,753
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $351,743
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $20,800
    Nontaxable benefits
    $19,953
    Filer's total
    $392,496
  • Tona Boyd

    ASSOC. DIR. COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $400,441
    From this org
    $342,815
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $57,626
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $342,815
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $19,138
    Nontaxable benefits
    $38,488
    Filer's total
    $400,441
  • Kevin Thomson

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $349,572
    From this org
    $270,164
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $79,408
    Hours/week
    39.5 + 0.5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $270,164
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $37,478
    Nontaxable benefits
    $41,930
    Filer's total
    $349,572
  • Elisabeth North

    CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $298,579
    From this org
    $263,402
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $35,177
    Hours/week
    39.5 + 0.5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $263,402
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $16,821
    Nontaxable benefits
    $18,356
    Filer's total
    $298,579
  • Samuel Spital

    DIRECTOR OF LITIGATION

    Total calculated
    $370,517
    From this org
    $281,834
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $88,683
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $281,834
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $36,191
    Nontaxable benefits
    $52,492
    Filer's total
    $370,517
  • Jin Hee Lee

    DIR. OF STRATEGIC INT.

    Total calculated
    $338,393
    From this org
    $242,636
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $95,757
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $242,636
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $36,361
    Nontaxable benefits
    $59,396
    Filer's total
    $338,393
  • Rudolph Gary Spencer

    SENIOR COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $242,781
    From this org
    $211,619
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $31,162
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $211,619
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $13,600
    Nontaxable benefits
    $17,562
    Filer's total
    $242,781
  • Victor Genecin

    OF COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $223,848
    From this org
    $207,834
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $16,014
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $207,834
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $13,264
    Nontaxable benefits
    $2,750
    Filer's total
    $223,848
  • Stuart Naifeh

    MANAGER, REDISTRICTING PROJECT

    Total calculated
    $250,567
    From this org
    $198,672
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $51,895
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $198,672
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $13,325
    Nontaxable benefits
    $38,570
    Filer's total
    $250,567
  • Laura Fino

    EXE. DIR. INSTIT GIVING

    Total calculated
    $247,951
    From this org
    $197,255
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $50,696
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $197,255
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $13,297
    Nontaxable benefits
    $37,399
    Filer's total
    $247,951
  • Raymond Audain

    SENIOR COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $254,483
    From this org
    $196,862
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $57,621
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $196,862
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $13,097
    Nontaxable benefits
    $44,524
    Filer's total
    $254,483

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. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 2 · Substantiation required before reimbursing expenses
  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Related organizations on this return

Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
15 May 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202511359349311586

Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.

The source document this was parsed from is served over the API, which is where bulk and document access live.